Author Topic: 30 carbine?  (Read 940 times)

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Offline troy5775

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30 carbine?
« on: December 04, 2007, 02:09:03 AM »
I have my eye on a 30 cal carbine at a local shop for under $150 and wanted some input on whether or not this is a good deal and the general opinion of this gun. The gun appears to be in pretty good shape to me, no excessive wear.

Offline woodchukhntr

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Re: 30 carbine?
« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2007, 02:32:43 AM »
Is it a M-1 carbine?  If so, you had better buy it before I get there!  I haven't seen one for that price since the '60's.  Lately, they are going for $500 or so unless they are Plainfields.

Offline dogwhisperer5

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Re: 30 carbine?
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2007, 03:39:50 AM »
Is it a M-1 carbine?  If so, you had better buy it before I get there!  I haven't seen one for that price since the '60's.  Lately, they are going for $500 or so unless they are Plainfields.

Yep...USGI M-1 carbines are plenty spendy ! The "copies" much less so, but "under $150" is a bargain for even one of them. Do a scan on gunbroker.com and you'll get a good picture of what they're going for.
The USGI's are reliable, dependable, "handy" rifles that are in the .357 magnum power class...with the proper bullets (ie. not fmj) and responsible shooting they'll perform well on what you'd use a .357 for. IMHO of course.
Ernie Groves

Offline John Traveler

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Re: 30 carbine?
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2007, 09:47:48 AM »
After WWII the US M1 Carbine was copied and produced by a number of manufacturer's including Plainfield (Iver Johnson), National Ordnance, and Universal.  Most copied the GI design, and used surplus government parts except the Universal.  It is not compatible with government parts and used cost-cutting features such as a stamped-and-welded operating rod and cast pot metal trigger guard assembly.

If it is an M1 Carbine copy, $150 is a reasonable price.  If it is a real GI M1 Carbine in good condition, it is a bargain.  Inspection of the manufacturer's stampings behind the rear sight will show either one of the ten WWII GI manufacturer's markings (Saginaw, IBM, Rock Ola, Winchester, Irwin-Petersen, etc) or the post WWII commercial makers.

HTH
John
John Traveler

Offline troy5775

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Re: 30 carbine?
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2007, 11:00:58 AM »
Thanks for the input. I am pretty sure it isn't a M1. I figured it would be a good plinking gun and would be a good low recoil rifle for a young shooter.

Offline dogwhisperer5

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Re: 30 carbine?
« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2007, 02:11:25 PM »
Thanks for the input. I am pretty sure it isn't a M1. I figured it would be a good plinking gun and would be a good low recoil rifle for a young shooter.

Please find more about the rifle and let us know the particulars...there were few chambered for that cartridge other than the M1.
Ernie Groves

Offline troy5775

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Re: 30 carbine?
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2007, 10:16:19 AM »
 I am pretty sure that is was a copy, it was gone by the time I made it back to the shop though.  :'(