Which M1 Carbine to Buy from the CMP?

[The_Gun_Guru]

So I see a lot of different makes of the M1 Carbine on the CMP site. Which one is the best one to buy? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

TGG

[Waterwagonboom]

Do you want just a range gun, shooter? Or, are you looking for something with more collector value? They are all veterans.

I got my Inland service grade yesterday. The stock looked like heck but the metal is great. When I opened the box, I thought the stock had been painted! Nope, dried cosmo! She looks much better now. I've cleaned it but have not put a finish on it yet. I will probably do that tomorrow.

Here are before and midway pics.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/135boomer_photos/Image0012-1.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/135boomer_photos/Image0082.jpg

[Faulkner]

So I see a lot of different makes of the M1 Carbine on the CMP site. Which one is the best one to buy? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

TGG

It doesn't matter unless you are a collector. There's not a dime's worth of difference between a USGI carbine that was manufactured by Winchester, Inland Division of General Motors, Underwood, IBM, Quality Hardware, Saginaw, Rock-ola, National Postal Meter, or Standard Products. USGI parts are interchangeable on all of them.

Collectors often like Rock-ola's because they produced the least quantity and therefore are often the hardest to come by. Winchester's are popular with some because they were made by Winchester. Same with IBM. But in reality, which one is best . . . it just don't matter.

[eddief4]

Do you want just a range gun, shooter? Or, are you looking for something with more collector value? They are all veterans.

I got my Inland service grade yesterday. The stock looked like heck but the metal is great. When I opened the box, I thought the stock had been painted! Nope, dried cosmo! She looks much better now. I've cleaned it but have not put a finish on it yet. I will probably do that tomorrow.

Here are before and midway pics.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/135boomer_photos/Image0012-1.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/135boomer_photos/Image0082.jpg


WOW, it's cleaning up rather nicely!! :O)

[Bushbacker]

I researched them awhile back when they first became available from the CMP. As mentioned, unless you are a collector, go with the Inland. They're the most common ones but the least expensive.

[The_Gun_Guru]

I researched them awhile back when they first became available from the CMP. As mentioned, unless you are a collector, go with the Inland. They're the most common ones but the least expensive.

I really just want it to have one in my collection and as a range gun. I know that there are collector grade guns out there but they are way out of my price range. The CMP price is great! What do I need to do to qualify so I can order one? I have a CCW and a C&R FFL - is that all I need, or is there something else?

Thanks for all the great advice! Please keep it coming!!

TGG

[Bushbacker]

Your CCW or C&R satisfies the firearms or "marksmanship related" activity. The only other thing you need is the "club" requirement. Make a copy of your CCW or C&R and to send it with your order.

The easiest thing to satisfy the club requirement is to join the Garand Collector's Association. Send them $25 bucks and that's it. It makes you a member and they send to the CMP the fact the you're a member. You get a quarterly magazine too.

http://www.thegca.org/membership.htm

Another alternative is to join a state rifle association. I could have joined the Texas State Rifle Association and that would have qualified. I just joined the GCA. NRA membership does NOT qualify. You can also join a club with shooting requirements but that is not necessary.

Some documents need to be notarized. A bank where you have an account will typically do it for free.

See the requirements at this link:

http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/eligibility_requirements.htm

[Bushbacker]

Btw, they ship directly to whatever address you give them for a shipping address. It does NOT have go through an FFL. I've had my rifles shipped to my office since I'm not at home during the day.

They will give you a Fedex link for shipping tracking when your rifle is shipped (it activates when the Fedex guy actually picks it up and scans the code into their system) so you'll know when it is coming. They ship overnight. You have to register at the CMP site and establish an account so you can track the progress of your order.

[thisaway]

Collectors often like Rock-ola's because they produced the least quantity and therefore are often the hardest to come by.

Actually, the fewest USGI carbines were manufactured Irwin-Pedersen before Saginaw-Grand Rapids (S'G') took over their contract. I-P completed only 3000 carbines but none were accepted for service until after S'G' took over. S'G' made 220000 vs. 229000 or so from Rockola. Rockolas are popular though because their original product line was jukeboxes.

The USGI contracts for carbines represent an amazing example of American ingenuity. Of ten primary manufacturers, only Winchester was a gunmaker. All the rest were from other industries that converted to weapons production.

Any USGI M1 carbine is worth owning. Pick one, buy it, shoot it...and think of the stories it could tell if it was able. :thumbsup:

[Bassman1985]

Do you want just a range gun, shooter? Or, are you looking for something with more collector value? They are all veterans.

I got my Inland service grade yesterday. The stock looked like heck but the metal is great. When I opened the box, I thought the stock had been painted! Nope, dried cosmo! She looks much better now. I've cleaned it but have not put a finish on it yet. I will probably do that tomorrow.

Here are before and midway pics.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/135boomer_photos/Image0012-1.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/135boomer_photos/Image0082.jpg

Mine just came today, and your pic looks just like mine when I opened the box. What are you using to clean the stock?

[Waterwagonboom]

Simple Green

[eddief4]

well, it looks great, what elses have you done to it?
did it clean right up? :O)

[Waterwagonboom]

A little scrubbing and TLC followed by boiled linseed oil and presto! GI carbine.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/135boomer_photos/Image0012-2.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/135boomer_photos/Image0022.jpg

[Bassman1985]

Purdy...:wow:

[Waterwagonboom]

Added a pig sticker...this should push you over the edge GG!

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/135boomer_photos/Image0042-1.jpg

[eddief4]

Added a pig sticker...this should push you over the edge GG!

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x211/135boomer_photos/Image0042-1.jpg


:wow::shocked: SWEET!!!