M-1 carbine opinions

dcinffxva

I've got three M-1 carbines. A fairly new collector has offered me what I consider a fairly decent trade, and doesn't really care which of the ones he gets. I just can't figure out which one I am willing to get rid of, so I'm soliciting opinions. All are in comparable condition, Korean war rework (bayo lug, adjustable rear sight etc.) functioning, and good bores.

#1 Inland receiver, Inland Barrel

#2 Winchester receiver, IBM barrel

#3 IBM receiver, IBM barrel but import stamped[:(!] Blue Sky

All other things being equal, which one would you cut loose ?

Pearyw

I would give him the Blue Sky marked gun. There have been problems with them when the marking damaged the barrel. People are leary of them.

fordsix

trade on #3[;)]

bnocenti

#3

If I were you I'd try to find a Winchester barrel for #2.

nmyers

Define "good bore".

You can't tell by eye-balling the bore if there is excessive muzzle wear; you need either a muzzle wear gauge, or a "poor man's" muzzle wear gauge (a single round of USGI M2 .30-06 ball stuck point first into the muzzle).

You want to make darn sure the barrel is good, as a commercial replacement barrel will cost you > $350, & good original USGI barrels are unobtainable.

Neal

jbarker429

Definitely the one with the Blue Sky marked barrel. I have one that shoots well...but the only reason I've kept it is that it's attached to a Saginaw Grand Rapids (S'G') receiver which is comparatively rare. And just like mentioned above...I've read the horror stories about barrels wrecked by overzealous Blue Sky stamping.

fastcarsgofast

#3

dcinffxva

Thanks for the input. #3 now belongs to someone else.

Neal,
Good bore meant not all pitted and worn on the inside visibly. I was trading the carbine away, not getting another one.