M1A1 Paratrooper. Real McCoy?

[HDSledge]

Thanks for all the input guys. I am truly blessed to be able to help preserve a bit of history. No way this will be sold during my lifetime. I paid so little for it I feel guilty. So guilty I already went back to see the family and forked over more cash. Couldn't sleep well if I didn't. Still feel a bit guilty though.

I don't want to take a chance on damaging the original stock so I ordered a repro stock to fire it with. Considering the expert opinions here I am now having second thoughts about firing the gun, ever.

Opinions needed for sure on this question: Should I ever fire this gun?

Kruffe, Beginner: I have a desiccant pack in there and the case edges aren't airtight. Will that be ok or still don't use it? How about a canvas case that can breathe?

shadycon. lboos: Thanks for the tip on the sling. It has been on backwards for a long time apparently.

Hey Detroit-1 how do I tell if that is a Winchester trigger group and what is the significance of that? What is the significance of a blued vs. parkerized trigger?

In at least one of the pics the trigger looks a bit darker than the surrounding parts but it may be a fluke of the flash. Only one pic seems to show a difference. Would it be obvious and how do I tell the difference? Color, wear, shine, etc?

Thanks guys!

ps. The stock is a bit dry. Would it be advisable to give it a rub with some of the original finish: linseed oil? (boiled, raw, or refined?) Or should I leave it alone?

[Detroit-1]

I thought Inlands had a blued trigger. My 4-44 does. On your picture of the trigger group I see a W. If so, Iam not a expert, that would mean that it was changed sometime. Still it is a gun I would be proud to own!

[AFJon]

Pretty clearly an Inland trigger housing (you can see the stamp). Mag release is marked WI.

[lboos]

HDSledge,
Many here know far more then me, and please correct me if I make a mistake, but the M1/M1A1's were the 1st parts gun, at that time in history, the mnf. were not interested if all part's matched, they did not give a rat's a$$ about collectors of today.
Their could many mix'ed parts on these war time carbines. from what I have read their were few all matching ones, if any.
When I clean mine I used the same rag with CLP that I used on the gun to wipe down the stock, as far as shooting it I am taking mine to the range tomorrow and shoot around 15-20 rounds in it, then clean it and put it in a glass display case in my home.
Firing it is up to you, some say don't do it, I have a lot of WW-2 era guns, I fire them all to make they work, the WW-2 small arm's weapons are very robust imo. But I am no expert.
You have a beautiful carbine.
After I clean my guns, I don't put them in any type of case or wrap them in rag's etc. I just leave them on a rack etc. and wipe them down with a gun oil [CLP] every few mo's. good luck.
I'm sure more good advice will follow.

[John Wyatt]

And Carbines are still legal in California.

Carbines are still legal here in California, but not in the paratrooper stock. That would make it an assault weapon.

[imarangemaster]

Carbines are still legal here in California, but not in the paratrooper stock. That would make it an assault weapon.

Yep, In fact M1 Carbines are one of the few semi-automatic long guns that will not be considered assault Weapons under the bn that takes effect 1-1-2017. Ruger Mini-14/30s, SKSs, and M1As also escaped.

[HDSledge]

So the stock was their biggest problem. Glad I don't live in California.

[HDSledge]

I read somewhere that the first run mag catch wouldn't hold the 30 rnd mags. Can I expect them to drop out often or do they generally stay in during firing?

Not shooting it yet, just wondering what to expect.

[browningautorifle]

The first run mags had only the rear lugs to hold them in. They would shear and the mag would be useless. They added the side lug for strength. They'll be fine during your use, likely.

[USGI]

Will the mags marked M2 fall out?

I believe those are aftermarket mags, so the quality could be questionable. - Bob