M1 carbine- beat and ugly still worth buying?

[desertrider]

I was browsing a local pawn shop for tools and spotted an M1 carbine in the rack.

This thing is ugly. An absolute Frankenstein, parts number mix-master supreme.

The receiver is Winchester, but the original stamped 7 digit serial number has been striked through and a different serial number engraved beneath it. Weird to me, but I have zero experience with these guns.

I didn't have a bore light with me, and the lighting wasn't great in the shop, so I never got a decent look at the bore or rifling. Stock must be commercial aftermarket because it had absolutely no cartouches of any type on it anywhere.

Overall finish on all exposed metal is very worn, but no visible rust, pitting, or evidence of sanding. Action cycles smoothly with no sticking or unusual quirks.

This may be an impossible question to answer, sight unseen and no pics available, but what is a "fair" lowball offer for this pathetic example of an iconic American classic?

This is a pawn shop I'm dealing with, so they ain't "gun enthusiasts" and there will be no support once the gun leaves their hands, so I am not opposed to offering an offensively low offer, especially since the price on the tag was laughable considering its condition. This will never be a collectors piece.

So come on guys, what is an ugly, beat, but apparently functioning M1 carbine worth as a shooter.

As an example of the point I'm attempting to make here..... a Python with worn finish, cracked grips, and potentially out of spec cylinder timing is still worth a couple hundred.

[liqu]

$500.00

[alpha_romeo_XV]

Tree fiddy - serious in this case.

I like working on gun projects and I like having shooters not safe queens. Maka them an offer.

[desertrider]

$500.00

Tree fiddy - serious in this case.

I like working on gun projects and I like having shooters not safe queens. Maka them an offer.

Nice. Looks like I'm in the ball park with what I'm considering offering. Thanks for the replies.

With it's current condition I was thinking about going back there with $350 cash, but willing to top out at $400 (which is half of their asking price).

I just wasn't sure if that made sense. I figure as long as the barrel isn't shot out or pitted with rust it might be a decent shooter. I figure a good used stock, new extractor and complete set of new springs throughout should be enough to make it reliable.

I'll swing by there in the next week and see what happens.

[Dan_Eastvale]

The pawnshops I've visited recently are ridiculously overpriced for both guns and beat up boxes of old ammo.. Even more than lgs.
In the past they were bargains.

I hope he will take half off.

[AR22]

Likely the sum of the parts is worth more than 350.00

Most Carbines are actually worth more parted out now than complete now unless it is a very rare maker. Would like to see some pics. But I doubt you will buy it for 400.00, but best of luck. Hope you get it.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

This is a pawn shop I'm dealing with, so they ain't "gun enthusiasts"

I wouldn't just assume that. Of the several FFL pawn shops I have done business with, all of them had a good working knowledge of what they were selling. It would be foolhardy to go through all of the hoops, expense, and additional .gov oversight to get an FFL without knowing much about the guns taken in and sold off.

That doesn't mean that you can't score a deal or negotiate, but don't be taken in by the idea that they don't know exactly what they are selling and its FMV.

[desertrider]

I wouldn't just assume that. Of the several FFL pawn shops I have done business with, all of them had a good working knowledge of what they were selling. It would be foolhardy to go through all of the hoops, expense, and additional .gov oversight to get an FFL without knowing much about the guns taken in and sold off.

That doesn't mean that you can't score a deal or negotiate, but don't be taken in by the idea that they don't know exactly what they are selling and its FMV.

Valid points that I fully agree with.

Over the years I've bought some tools at this shop and looked at various firearms. I've had interaction with several of the sales people there and never had any conversations that left me with the impression that any of them were familiar with any of the guns or accessories I was asking about.

However, these could have been the "help" who simply show the items, and not the individual who makes the decisions. Maybe that person does the research and pricing and will be the one who is more deeply invested in the firearms end of it. Kind of like at car dealerships, the person I end up buying from is never the one who I started with.

[ErikC12]

It depends on how much they have into it. Pawn shops will often lower their prices to or close to whatever amnunt they have invested, but they'll let it sit on the shelf before they take a loss.

[John Browning]

You can't touch a beat up, worn out, import marked carbine for under $750 these days. Even the commercial ones are over $500.

Who knows what you can get it for, but I would seriously doubt anything under $700 OTD.

[sealocan]

I like those little carbines but from the sound oh how bad you are describing it I wouldn't give them any offers more than $550 ...

and that's after I check out the rifling /bore /barrel.

If you don't have a flashlight on you you can always use your camera flashlight (if you have modern camera) and a small piece of a white business card wedged in chamber so that some light reflects down the empty barrel.

My guess is they have less than $400 into it when they bought it (probably around 300 or less even) so it depends how long it's going to sitting on the shelf which will decide to them what they should take.

[pitfighter]

I wouldn't just assume that. Of the several FFL pawn shops I have done business with, all of them had a good working knowledge of what they were selling. It would be foolhardy to go through all of the hoops, expense, and additional .gov oversight to get an FFL without knowing much about the guns taken in and sold off.

That doesn't mean that you can't score a deal or negotiate, but don't be taken in by the idea that they don't know exactly what they are selling and its FMV.

100% valid - but you do get lucky sometimes, I picked up a Model 12 trench gun for the price of a Model 12 pump - $450 -
Pawnbroker next door to a strip club, the shotgun had been gathering dust there for years.

[microwaveguy]

The part that peeked my interest is when you said lined out serial number. It depends on what condition the rest is in , but a true line out receiver alone is $600+. Pictures would help.

[hollowpoint67]

You can't touch a beat up, worn out, import marked carbine for under $750 these days. Even the commercial ones are over $500.

Who knows what you can get it for, but I would seriously doubt anything under $700 OTD.

Seconded.

[dfletcher]

You can't touch a beat up, worn out, import marked carbine for under $750 these days. Even the commercial ones are over $500.

Who knows what you can get it for, but I would seriously doubt anything under $700 OTD.

Agree. The Reno show had quite a few that looked like they went through a cement mixer and were priced at $800.00. I'd figure the barreled receiver and trigger group was about all that was worth keeping and replace everything else.