Hey M1 Carbine Experts! Need Help

[Sailormilan2]

There is some evidence that shows the Type III barrel bands, those with the bayonet lug, were install while the war was still in progress. Some made it to combat zones.

[Milsurp Collector]

Correct me if I'm wrong - is it accurate to say the adjustable rear sight and wider barrel band "go together"? I have an August 43 Inland with "L" rear and the thinner barrel band, presume those go together too.

That's pretty much correct. The adjustable rear sights and the Type 2 barrel bands (wider but no bayonet lug) appeared around the same time. But there was no hard cutoff date. New sights and bands were supplied to manufacturers who still had some the earlier style parts in inventory, so they continued to use up the stock they had on hand while also starting to use the newer style parts. So there was some overlap of old and new style parts during the transition. Whatever it took to assemble working rifles and get them out the door and out to the troops who needed them.

[sandsnow]

There is some evidence that shows the Type III barrel bands, those with the bayonet lug, were install while the war was still in progress. Some made it to combat zones.

My dad told me he had a carbine n the late part of the war near the time of the surrender. I can only assume it had a type 3 band because he brought home a carbine bayonet. He was 6th Army HQ G4 section, so anything new in the supply chain, he could grab.
It WAS pristine until he gave it to me when I was a teenager. Now not so much.

[Sailormilan2]

With a high enough serial number, an Inland or a Winchester could have been fitted with a Type III band.

[Capybara]

$300 for any working USGI M1 Carbine is an insanely good price.
Is that $300 in 2015 or did he buy it decades ago?

$300.00 this past week.

[aghauler]

I have a friend who seems to always score incredible deals. He seems to know a lot of ex vets of law enforcement and military who are liquidating their collections and always blows me away with what he finds. I was at his place last night and he pulls out a Winchester M1 Carbine. Really, really nice condition. I know basically nothing about M1 carbines but it came in a GI looking green canvas bag (didn't look original though, looked like a replica?) The gun has a Garand like rear sight that covers the receiver where the manufacturer and serial number are but I could see a "W" on the left of it peeking out and "er" on the right side of the sight. Did not have time to examine it very closely or take it apart but it looked correct, the few serial numbers I could see with a cursory examination matched. Had the cloth GI sling, wood was immaculate. I checked the bore, very shiny with just some dust. He scored this rifle for $300.00. I told him, based upon what I have seen, he did VERY well.

Came with a few hundred rounds of ammo too. Any rough ideas of what it "might" be worth? I know, pictures needed but I was at a dinner party and we just ducked out for a moment, wasn't able to do a photo session. As far as WWII era M1 Carbines, were the Winchesters common or rare, desirable like the Winchester Garands or not as desirable? If nothing else, it will be a beautiful shooter. Can't tell if it's a mixmaster yet. Is there a YouTube video or web link I can send him for how to take it down, where to look for matching serial numbers, etc.? Any of you have friends like this who always seem to be in the right place at the right time to make killer deals like this? This never happens to me.

Thanks

Capy

If the green carrying case is fleece lined I believe it's a repro.
I have an original I got with with my Saginaw S'G'-Irwin-Peterson in 1971, it is unlined.

[Capybara]

Can't recall for sure, but I think it was fleece lined, or maybe some woolen looking cloth? The case didn't look original to me. Unfortunately both my friend and I are in a full court press with work so not sure if we will get to the disassembly and photos until January.

[Excitable Boy]

Interesting thread. I recently helped an old family friend that suffers from acute Parkinson's put a few guns on consignment at a local shop. Besides the Colt M1991A1 I bought, there were two Inland M1 Carbines that were likely armory refurbs, but in very clean condition. He offered them to me at a very nice price, but I passed as I have limited storage capabilities. This thread is making me think that I should revisit this situation and maybe bring home one of them. Are they really that much fun to shoot? I know that the ballistics aren't really impressive, but if ammo is readily available and they're fun, it might be worth owning one.

Opinions?

[Bainter1212]

Interesting thread. I recently helped an old family friend that suffers from acute Parkinson's put a few guns on consignment at a local shop. Besides the Colt M1991A1 I bought, there were two Inland M1 Carbines that were likely armory refurbs, but in very clean condition. He offered them to me at a very nice price, but I passed as I have limited storage capabilities. This thread is making me think that I should revisit this situation and maybe bring home one of them. Are they really that much fun to shoot? I know that the ballistics aren't really impressive, but if ammo is readily available and they're fun, it might be worth owning one.

Opinions?

They are very fun to shoot, even a small female or a child can shoot one, they are so easy.
The ballistics are on par with the .357 magnum, so within 100 yds the round is very effective.
The carbine is also very light and handy, if I had to carry a weapon all day, the carbine would have an advantage in that regard.
Above all else, if you have access to one at a "friend" price, do not hesitate. The value on these carbines have been rising dramatically in recent years so you are basically guaranteed to get a bit of profit were you to sell it in the future.

[spag]

I sent you a PM, with some good info about the M1 Carbines. Post some photos, would love to see yours.

Spag

[Capybara]

Excitable, they are a military 10/22 for grown ups. Very similar feel. .30 Carbine is an excellent round to reload, one of the few straight wall rifle cartridges so you get to skip a lot of the brass prep steps that take up so much time when reloading bottleneck calibers. It's a sweetheart of a gun and I agree with the others, in the few years I have been into C&Rs, I have seen the prices on M1 carbines double and triple, one of the best investment guns there is.

Wish I would have bought a few back in the 80s when they were cheap.

[aghauler]

Interesting thread. I recently helped an old family friend that suffers from acute Parkinson's put a few guns on consignment at a local shop. Besides the Colt M1991A1 I bought, there were two Inland M1 Carbines that were likely armory refurbs, but in very clean condition. He offered them to me at a very nice price, but I passed as I have limited storage capabilities. This thread is making me think that I should revisit this situation and maybe bring home one of them. Are they really that much fun to shoot? I know that the ballistics aren't really impressive, but if ammo is readily available and they're fun, it might be worth owning one.

Opinions?

You NEED to bring them both home!
I paid $50 for my first one with bandoleers of ammo and 6 magazines in 1970,
because of what it is it's collector value is close to $1900.
My second one I bought from Dupage Trading years ago for $250, when they cleaned out a warehouse and Shotgun News was the shopping guide for firearms, an Inland that had been in storage a lone time based on the dried oil it had on it.
GET them while you can especially if you have access to a "special" price!

[aghauler]

Can't recall for sure, but I think it was fleece lined, or maybe some woolen looking cloth? The case didn't look original to me. Unfortunately both my friend and I are in a full court press with work so not sure if we will get to the disassembly and photos until January.

Fleece = repro

Unlined like mine I've seen go for $150-$300 at auction, they don't show up very often for sale.

[AR22]

Fleece = repro

Unlined like mine I've seen go for $150-$300 at auction, they don't show up very often for sale.

You can find original bags for 50.00 to 100.00 if you watch Ebay close. Cheapest one I got on Ebay in the last year was under 50.00

Yes they are a sweet little Handy Weapon. Prices are surely on the rise, but so is everything else. Back in the early 90s, I put together alot of Carbines. The Receivers and parts were all readily available and cheap then. Those days are gone.

Even at todays prices they are still a solid investment. Will keep up with inflation anyway for sure.

[aghauler]

You can find original bags for 50.00 to 100.00 if you watch Ebay close. Cheapest one I got on Ebay in the last year was under 50.00

That was a great price range if you can get it. Last one I saw at live auction went for $250 a year or so ago. I thought WOW, just like mine, I had no idea!
But live auctions can get into the bidding frenzy thing.