Big 5 carrying M1 Carbines??!

[7.62x63mmUS]

By the skin of my teeth. Ordered a total of 4 over a 2 year period and gave one to my dad. The last 2 were "rack grade" for $400 but actually were nicer than the service grade. I think they just wanted to clean the last batch out without grading them. If I was to buy a carbine now I think I'd get one of the Auto Ordnance reproductions. A friend has one and seems to work good. Some aftermarket parts don't fit since AO builds them slightly out of GI spec but magazines seem to work good.

[AK all day]

By the skin of my teeth. Ordered a total of 4 over a 2 year period and gave one to my dad. The last 2 were "rack grade" for $400 but actually were nicer than the service grade. I think they just wanted to clean the last batch out without grading them. If I was to buy a carbine now I think I'd get one of the Auto Ordnance reproductions. A friend has one and seems to work good. Some aftermarket parts don't fit since AO builds them slightly out of GI spec but magazines seem to work good.

I'm all for authentic, and if I where to get a M1 Carbine, it would be more of a display than a shooter. I like that "old beat to hell" look. As long as the bore is good, and there's no rusting/pitting, I am all in. Something about the AO ones doesn't look right...

Great gift to a father....

[Dr.Mauser]

The prices they ask for the condition of these thing is asinine, you can cinf a decent mismatched shooter for $500 at almost any gun forum's for sale section.

[flak88mm]

Be careful with these M1 Carbines from Big 5, although they have U.S manufacturers on the barrel (inland, saginaw, QH, etc), I heard they are imported from South America and they (over there) didn't maintain or took care of these rifles.

[mls343]

Most of the Big 5 USGI carbines I've seen have been a little rough. There are still opportunities to get some good condition carbines out there but you have to look around. Try the WTS here, The CMP, or Gunbroker.

Just my opinion, but also stay away from the after war repos.

[zoid52]

I bought 6 a couple years ago from CMP. $450 each. Still need 4 more maufacturers for the complete collection.

[bob_e95482]

I thought they had the Thompson/Auto Ordnance .30 cal M1 Carbines for $799.

[CSACANNONEER]

Big5 has sold surplus M1 carbines, on and off, for decades. Why is it news that they are still doing so?

[JBaus]

I've seen and held the M1 .30 cal at the local Big 5 here. I was so close to buying it at $699, but I held back as I was sure that I could find one from a Private Seller.

[milotrain]

I've been looking for an M1 carbine for a while. I got a low SN 7xx,xxx Inland from Big 5 a few days ago. It's a bit rough, but no rougher than my CMP M1 Garand Service Grade. I have not however checked throat erosion or muzzle gauging (although neither looked bad).

I was actually pretty impressed with $699 considering that in California I've never seen one for less than $800. The last two WTS threads for carbines were $800+ one older one was $400 but was fairly rough and worked over.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

Yeah, as a general rule, Big 5's Carbines are pretty rough. Not as bad as the Garands I've seen out of there, though.

[Mytmoss]

I purchased and Auto Ordinance M1 from Big 5 in March. I never fired the rifle as it would not properly feed. I sent it to Kahr and it was supposedly fixed. When I got it back not only did it not feed, but the bolt assembly separated from the bold. I called Big 5 and told me to bring it back and they exchanged it for a brand new one. They even ate the DROS cost. I picked it up today. The manufacturers magazine never properly seats or locks. You can remove it without even hitting the release button. I tried Pro Mags which worked better, but rounds still would not chamber. They tried the other ones they had in stock and while we could not test the feed, we found that the magazines could be pulled out without the release. I asked for and got a refund. I think the AO M1 carbines have some significant issues. They did have a beat up Korea vintage M1 for $699 but I passed on it hoping to find one in better condition.

[echo884]

If you're itching to get one, I say give Big 5 a chance. Ask to see all of the ones they have (including the ones in the back) and see if you can get a decent one. I got a early 1945 Inland with original barrel. And $699 for one of those is getting to be a good deal now that all the CMP ones have dried up.