Plainfield M1 Carbine

[W5USMC]

It was all marketing and was never actually issued to Paratroopers.

Don't think anyone implied that it was ever issued. It is a commercial carbine.

[painter777]

Is there no sign of PMC stamped on the rear of the receiver ?
They (Plainfield) quit putting markings on the rear at serial # G990:

Plainfield Machine Company

In the Catalog/Flier section it states that their carbines were available with receivers tapped and drilled for 'Side Mounted' Over Bore scope mounts:
http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/plainfieldflier1966.pdf

Depending on height:
Can you use the Rail that was on it and fix a Rear sight to it, like the one BAR linked for you ? Or maybe be able to use that Sight in the holes already there ?
Might very well be the $cheapest route to getting a rear sight on it.
Ruger 10/22 Adjustable Aperture Sights TSR200 - Tech Sights

It's had to have been milled down. I'd keep the costs down, it will only be a shooter in its lifetime. Don't expect a Tack Driver.

When you get a chance see if it has any GI parts in it.

Good Luck,

[W5USMC]

It's had to have been milled down.

Agree Charlie, and whoever did it did a really good job.

[Wineman]

I used a Weaver T9 rail for a 10/22 and the screw holes matched up for a Bubba M1 Garand. The TSR200 sight was a perfect match.



Dave

[browningautorifle]

that Plainfield did not make a paratrooper Model

No, they didn't make REAL paratroop carbines. No military contract.

[72 usmc]

This may be an odd reply , but prior to dumping money into a free carbine that is a "Plainfield", be sure it fires. I had one that fires single rounds, but do a string of 3 and it jams. Problem was a soft receiver with wear to the notch and the bolt out of headspace. This was many years ago prior to our CMP getting a hoard of real M1s. I sold it to a guy that wanted the USGI M2 stock it was in. Got rid of the junk. End of story.
So as a suggestion be sure it fires like a normal GI carbine would. If so you are in good shape to dump some coin into it. I consider most commercial carbines problematic if they have wear.

[72 usmc]

Plainfield made an odd ball model, the PM30P model they called a paratrooper, but it was not anything like a USGI Paratrooper model. Just an odd ball short commercial carbine- IT did not look anything like a real USGI Paratrooper version. See picture in this link: Plainfield Machine Company
Then around 1980s Universal made a look-a-like commercial Paratroper similar to a real USGI paratrooper- well kind of a wee bit better than Plainfield. It is not an accurate reproduction to a real USGI Paratrooper carbine. see Universal Firearms Models

It got close ,but still not close enough.
Here is a photo of a real USGI Paratrooper: INLAND M1A1 PARATROOPER CARBINE - C32379 - Simpson Ltd
To own one of these you got to be a high roller... I never had that kind of coin. I stuck with the USGI CMP mix masters. Now RTI has some dogs for sale, but to S. Africa- I think you are out of luck???
Does your carbine show rail wear? Does it fire a fast string of ammo without a jam?