I don't get it...

[DennisCA]

I see M1 carbine (.30 cal) prices going any where from $500 to $800+.
I would understand it if they were rare but I see them all over the place, it seems like (almost) everyone has a .30 carbine!

[tujungatoes]

It's less about how rare they are, and more about them being cool as hell. People are willing to pay the price to own a great gun that's tons of fun to shoot.

[kurac]

So it sounds like you don't own one, yet.

[M. D. Van Norman]

Well, the market has priced surplus M1 carbines at $500 for the relatively common versions and up to $800 for the rarer variants. Give or take a little depending on condition, of course.

[aghauler]

The rarer M1 Carbines will go for well in excess of $1000.

[mosinnagantm9130]

It's less about how rare they are, and more about them being cool as hell. People are willing to pay the price to own a great gun that's tons of fun to shoot.

Yep. They have a high demand from both milsurp guys, and shooters in general.

[big103]

It`s all about what people think what they can get for there rifle. Ive seen people ask 1000 for the run of the mill inland mix master.

[bruceflinch]

So it sounds like you don't own one, yet.

I'd like to find a decent one for $5-600...In a month when I've replentished my toy fund.

[The SKS Man]

I hate the feeling of buying a gun but i love the feeling of having it!

[r3dn3ck]

it's a fun semi-auto detachable mag gun that doesn't hurt to shoot (even for kids), isn't quite as loud as an ar and has little if any practical use outside plinking. Of course everyone wants one... for the same reason the gsg-5 got so popular. Glad I got mine for 300 bucks back when they weren't so stupidly high priced.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I see M1 carbine (.30 cal) prices going any where from $500 to $800+.
I would understand it if they were rare but I see them all over the place, it seems like (almost) everyone has a .30 carbine!

That's the going rate, unfortunately...

[aghauler]

It`s all about what people think what they can get for there rifle. Ive seen people ask 1000 for the run of the mill inland mix master.

You're correct people are asking over the top amounts for Carbines that look like they made the rounds inside the tracks of a Sherman tank.

I own 2 M1 Carbines, #1 is an all correct Inland, no import markings I got for $249 about 10 years ago (the going rate then). Value now? What was the CMP selling them for?

#2 I bought back in 1970 for $50 (the going rate then). I've put less than 200 rounds through it since I bought it. Not knowing what I had, including the original USGI canvas carrying case, I posted the parts info and photos to a group of M1 Carbine collectors about 4 years ago. What I received besides a wealth of information was several offers to buy it and to " neverever take less than $1800" if I chose to sell it at that time. It's an all original Saginaw S'G' - Irwin-Peterson contract Carbine. Value now? I dunno but it certainly has gone up in collectability. The original USGI case alone has gone for $200-$300 at auction in the past.

The Inland is in my shooter safe, not that I've put much brass through it since I bought it, the S'G'- IP stays home alot.

[ColdDeadHands1]

The price increases of late are due to the CMP no longer having Carbines for sale for $400 - $600. Some say they won't get anymore either so the guns already out in private hands are it.

Limited supply, similar high demand = Price hike.

Glad I've got my Underwood and IBM!

[aghauler]

The price increases of late are due to the CMP no longer having Carbines for sale for $400 - $600. Some say they won't get anymore either so the guns already out in private hands are it.

Limited supply, similar high demand = Price hike.

Glad I've got my Underwood and IBM!

Plus, guys would buy the lowest grade available then try to resell them at premium prices. Samething happened with the Rack Grade Garands, buy cheap spruce em up alittle and sell at high prices.

[DennisCA]

So it sounds like you don't own one, yet.

No I don't and with those prices I prob won't get one for awhile.


Thanks to everyone for the input!