M1 carbine stock replacement question

[ARFrog]

I have taken the plunge and am working on my grandfather's M1 carbine. It appears to have been built at the S'G' plant and has appropriate parts used for that manufacturing facility. Parts wise it appears in great shape except for a large cut above the I - stock slot, missing hand guard and barrel band that is damaged.

I have found the appropriate S'G' barrel band with sling holder. However, I am in a dilemma concerning the stock. I have been unsuccessful in finding a good quality S'G', Irwin or Rock-Ola stock with appropriate markings and finish. Given that this rifle is not comprised of a mis-match of parts beyond that apparently used at the Grand Rapids S'G' plant, I think I want to avoid putting on a stock like a Winchester, Springfield Armory, Overton, etc. Any pointers as to where to look for the proper stock?

Or should I take on trying to fill and color match the stock cut/chip and then look for a close match on a hand guard?

If you have "been there" or "done that", I would appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

[Sea Penny]

I think I would leave it "as is" if that was my Grandfathers. The "damage" just might have a great story to it and is a part of the weapons history. Keep it, never sell it, shoot it, pass it down in the family. Regards

[Blade Gunner]

M1 carbine stock replacement question

I have two Garands. One I bought from a female friend who had inherited it from her father who served in WW2. Upon further research it was an original issue to him while he served in the 101st and did two combat jumps with this rifle (Overlord and Market Garden) . Hence the stock had lots of "combat character" The other was my father's in the 82nd during Korea. It was also an original issue. It doesn't have as much history, but I remember my father hunting dear with it. I don't shoot them any more, but other than keeping them cleaned and oiled, I've purposely made no attempt at restoration.
I'd leave yours as is. The history of its character is worth way more than a restored version.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[huntingsocal]

If it were me, I'd keep it as is and maybe get a "shooter" stock to put it in for range trips.

[Jeepers]

https://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Produ...alnut-finished pick up the matching handguard and leave that stock orig

[Milsurp Collector]

I have taken the plunge and am working on my grandfather's M1 carbine. It appears to have been built at the S'G' plant and has appropriate parts used for that manufacturing facility. Parts wise it appears in great shape except for a large cut above the I - stock slot, missing hand guard and barrel band that is damaged.

How is the barrel band damaged? There is a 99.9% chance that any replacement barrel band you have obtained is a reproduction. I would keep the original barrel band if at all possible. Besides, to replace the barrel band you would need a front sight removal tool and a front sight installation tool to do a proper job.



I would not replace the stock. Again, there is a 90%+ chance any S'G' stock you might find is fake. I would leave it as is.

What you have encountered is the huge demand for "correct" M1 Carbine parts. After the CMP sold numerous M1 Carbines - almost all of which had been rebuilt and upgraded over the years and decades by military organizations that used them - many new owners started tearing their carbines apart and swapping parts in an OCD-fueled, desperate frenzy to make their carbines "correct" i.e. with parts marked and of the type used when the carbines were first made. That drove prices of legitimate parts up, which only stimulated shady characters to have reproductions made that they sold as genuine, complete with fake markings. In fact, there is one notorious seller located in Central California who is the king of fake M1 Carbine parts.

You should try to keep it as original as possible. You just need a shallow-groove, 2-rivet handguard marked "RSG".

My S'G'

[ARFrog]

The barrel band is just the frame and screw and is missing the sling ring/holder.

My grandfather was an MP pre-WWII and I'm not sure if he picked the rifle up during or post war. I'm trying to get that information from family. I do know that the rifle has set in a closet and probably hasn't been shot since the 50s. Consequently, it's parts conformity is the way it was put together by S'G' and not an effort to reengineer by others at a later date. I was just thinking it would be honoring my grandfather to faithfully restore the rifle with the addition of a good quality stock - especially since I have no initial investment in it.

Given the comments about keeping it as original - "warts and all" - I guess I will reconsider keeping it as-is and adding a hand guard if I can find one that closely matches the stock's finish.

[therealnickb]

Another "leave it" vote here.

[Milsurp Collector]

The barrel band is just the frame and screw and is missing the sling ring/holder.

I have seen that more than once on otherwise original carbines with Type 1 bands. I think the guys who had them back in the 50s and 60s didn't use a sling and the sling swivel would just rattle around, so they took it off.

The chance of finding a correct sling swivel for an S'G' that is not fake is just about zero, or would be ridiculously expensive if real.



If you want a sling swivel so you can mount a sling I would just buy one of the cheap and plentiful fake Type 1 bands http://www.ebay.com/itm/M1-Carbine-t...cAAOSwB09YCuYF take off the sling swivel to mount on your carbine, and toss the fake band in the trash.

[toro1]

Another vote for keep it is, but if you want to find replacement parts, try the CMP forums. Original parts show up frequently and aftermarket parts are called out quickly if mis-identified.

http://forums.thecmp.org/

[AR22]

Good responses for you above.

And yes the CMP Forum is the place to go for info and legitimate parts sources.

[Bainter1212]

Do you plan to shoot it occasionally?

If so.....I would get a different stock and handguard for it so you don't ding up the originals. Also....I would just leave the originals like you got them.

I have an Inland that I inherited from a family member. It is just like yours, unaltered from the factory, except.....my long gone relative had filled in the stock cutout and also had thrown away the front sling swivel.

I just sourced some cheap replacement wood and kept the originals locked away.

[newbutold]

Check this Carbine forum. Tons of knowledge.

http://m1carbineforum.forumco.com/default.asp

Good parts source: https://www.amherst-depot.com/gunparts.carbine.htm

[ARFrog]

Do you plan to shoot it occasionally?

If so.....I would get a different stock and handguard for it so you don't ding up the originals. Also....I would just leave the originals like you got them.

I have an Inland that I inherited from a family member. It is just like yours, unaltered from the factory, except.....my long gone relative had filled in the stock cutout and also had thrown away the front sling swivel.

I just sourced some cheap replacement wood and kept the originals locked away.

Yes, my intent is to shoot it. It seems somehow wrong to have a "cool tool" in the tool box and not use it.

I like the idea of a different stock for every day and the original left as-is for family/sentimental reasons.

[bubbapug1]

Rarest of the rare. Keep it original.

Shoot it for sure but use a replacement stock for the range trips if you think you might use the gun as a hammer.