In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Quality hardware m1 carbine price

jmsadoquesjmsadoques Member Posts: 8 ✭✭
edited August 2009 in Ask the Experts
Hello
Im looking into picking up a quality hardware m1 carbine from a guy in town. He wants $1250 for it. I still havent gone to see the gun yet but he states that it is all original and has the paperwork that traces it back all the way to '56 when it was sold to a civilian. He also stated it was manufactured in 1943. It is supposedly in very good unrestored condition. I see many m1 carbines selling on here for 600-850. Is $1250 a reasonable price?

thanks
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • BlairweescotBlairweescot Member Posts: 2,014 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    my 2 cents

    If it was finally sold to a civilian in '56, it is no longer in original 1943 condition. That's becasue it was in the military until then, and it probably went through a rebuild

    hard to determine value from the description, but frankly, that's a lot of cake for an M1 carbine in my opinion
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    All USGI M1 carbines were made during WW2. If we know the serial number, that would allow us to determine approximately when, during WW2, it was made. But, it probably doesn't really matter.

    $1250 would be a great price for an all original, non-import marked, carbine in good condition. It would be a bad price for a rebuilt carbine, or an import marked one, or one with a poor bore, or one with a lot of wear, or one with repairs. Problem is, you don't know how to tell the difference, & we can't see the rifle.

    You could buy a copy of US M1 Carbines, Wartime Production by Craig Riesch & take it, & a screwdriver, with you when you go to see the carbine. Or, you could take your digital camera with you, & take lots of close-ups to show us.

    Or, you can just take your chances.

    But, if you have to do a quick-and-dirty, the stock MUST be stamped Q-RMC, & the rear sight probably will be a flip sight.

    Neal

    "Trust, but verify." ---- Ronald Reagan

    EDIT: It's not easy buying a good USGI gun out there; most of those I see offered are junkers. The only good defense is knowledge. Buy the book, & practice by evaluating those offered on GB. And, buy yourself a muzzle wear gauge. Don't just buy a gun based on price alone.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jmsadoquesjmsadoques Member Posts: 8 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yeah I understand my information is a bit lacking. I am going to see it tomorrow evening. I will take pictures and have him tear it down. I will also get the serial number. From what I understand it is not imported. I would be buying this as an investment but it will also not be a shelf queen. Do you think id be better off just picking up a less expensive one for this kind of use? Im afraid Ill end up with junk.. Unfortunately there are not a lot of m1s around for me to see in person. There was another one at a local pawn shop but I was not really impressed by its condition and lack of accessories. He wanted $800 for it. I dont want to end up with a fixer upper.. I learned that lesson with my mustang. I really appreciate your help.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • countryfarmercountryfarmer Member Posts: 4,552
    edited November -1
    A M1 carbine has to be pretty screwed up NOT to function. If the bore is in good shape, and all the hardware looks good, it will fire or just need a little TLC to fire. Main things to look for is nothing bent or badly abused and any of them should be good. If you want just a shooter mainly, I think I would pass on 1250 unless it looks great.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.