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M1 Carbine information

AzlonegunmanAzlonegunman Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
edited December 2008 in Ask the Experts
I recently purchased an Inland M1 Carbine dated May,1943. The guy who was selling it didn't know squat about it, (though he did make up some sizable tall tales about it!) so I got it really cheaply. I won't normally take someone to the cleaners like I did on this, but I REALLY hate liars.[}:)] When I got it home, I discovered that all of the serial numbers matched including the one stamped into the stock, it has the Ordinance dept cartouche stamped into the stock, and even has the remains of a rack number painted on the butt plate. I checked with the technical manual that I have, and it has a first or second type mag catch. That means it probably hasn't been arsenal refinished. It is also probably why the guy was willing to sell it so cheaply, it won't feed reliably from the 30 rd magazine he had with it. Is there any way to check to see if this carbine has been restored? I'm looking for something to plink with, and I'd hate ruin a nice collector's item by shooting a bunch of ammo through it. If it's been restored, it means I won't feel guilty about putting in a later type M2 style mag catch so that I can use surplus 30 round magazines with it. Any suggestions? Maybe if it's worth enough, I'll put it up for auction and make enough to buy a new Auto Ordinance one that I won't feel any compunction about shooting the daylights out of. [:D]
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Comments

  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,891 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    USGI M1 carbines only have the serial number on the receiver. If yours has the serial number elsewhere, then it is probably an import, possibly used in Korea or Israel. Take it apart & look for the import stamp on the barrel or receiver. I really don't think you need to worry about ruining an original carbine. If you want to post photos, we can tell you more.

    Your main concern at this point should be "Is it safe to fire?" You might want to take it to a gunsmith & request a technical inspection. He can also tell you if it shot out & needs a new barrel.

    Neal
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  • AzlonegunmanAzlonegunman Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    All of the internals are in excellent condition with little wear. The barrel needs a patch run through it to remove some dirt, but other than that, the bore is bright and shiny. I checked the bore first thing. I wasn't going to pay a dime for something with a bad bore, so I checked that with a light before shelling out any money for it. If this was used by a foreign country, I would guess that the ordinance dept cartouche would be worn off, but it is still good. My guess would be that it might have been used by a police department at one time. I've heard that a number of them issued M1 Carbines. The small amount of wear and over all condition would lead me to believe it hasn't been abused enough to have been in military stocks anywhere but the US. I'll give it a check for import marks though.
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,042 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    CHECK OUT WWW.ODCMP.COM, THEY RECENTLY GOT BACK A BUNCH OF M-1 CARBINES THAT WE GAVE TO THE ITALIANS. NONE OF THE COUNTRIES THAT WE GAVE M-1'S TO AFTER WW2 REMOVED ANY MARKINGS (ORD. BOMB) BUT MOST ADDED SOME OF THEIR OWN.
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  • validatorvalidator Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Neal is right, if it has the serial number on the stock then odds are that it is an Israeli import. If it has any serial numbers stamped anywhere but the receiver then it's probably a German import. The presence or absence of the Ord Wheel has no bearing on import status nor does your carbine's good condition. Some imports are ratty while others, including many of the Israeli ones, are very nice. I'd recommend that you purchase a copy of Craig Riesch's carbine book to see if your rifle is parts-correct.
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  • cpermdcpermd Member Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MIKE WISKEY
    CHECK OUT WWW.ODCMP.COM, THEY RECENTLY GOT BACK A BUNCH OF M-1 CARBINES THAT WE GAVE TO THE ITALIANS. NONE OF THE COUNTRIES THAT WE GAVE M-1'S TO AFTER WW2 REMOVED ANY MARKINGS (ORD. BOMB) BUT MOST ADDED SOME OF THEIR OWN.


    Will you QTF with the CAPS?
    CP
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  • dgacdgac Member Posts: 694 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well first of all May of 43 is a kinda early carbine. It shouldnt have a bayo lug on it. So if it has one your question has been answered. If it has anything other than a cartouche then it doesnt have the real collector value you mentioned. It may have all gi parts and may be worth much more than you paid for it. If it doesnt allow 30 rounders then use 15's. I only have 15's because if I had 30's I wouldnt have any ammo left. If you sell this one and buy a auto ord. I think you wont be happy because even if you shoot this one till its dead it will still be worth more than a auto ord. in the long run.


    dgac
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Swapping a mag catch is no big deal.
    Get a new slide spring and some new mags.
    Carbine mags have delicate feed lips like Thompson mags and must be straight to feed.
    If they are still around,buy some rubber mag caps that protect the lips and keep crud out of M1 mags so you can keep them in your pocket.
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