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Posted: 1/10/2025 6:23:05 PM EDT
[Last Edit: johnny_dot_exe][Edited]
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Long story short, boss gave me a $3k allowance on my company card to "buy some cool old guns" as a thank you for some recent PITA project work I knocked out. My desire is to pick up an M1 Carbine and either an M1903-A3 or a 308 Garand (already have a '56 Springfield). What are some good online shops to buy from that aren't outrageously over-valuing their c&r stuff, that has those options (probably a stretch to have all 3 I'm guessing)? I have a few places bookmarked...Century Arms doesn't have those options, Cherrys doesn't have those options, Empire doesn't have those options, Axis Arms doesn't have those options, Legacy-Collectibles seems to be on the higher end of pricing for their stuff, etc. |
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Looking at these gals, but no idea if they're worth the asking price. M1 Carbine is 1695, 1903a3 is 1250. I can a bit more of a markup than I usually would since it's not my money I'm spending, but still don't want to get bent over. The problem is I don't want to deal with bids and the place must take a card, so I'm limited on where to buy from and what I truly want to add to my collection. Attached File The M1 carbine is listed as good condition overall with a nice parkerized finish throughout, stock lightly sanded but no cracks or breaks, went through arsenal rebuild post-war so it some later production parts (like the type 3 barrel band), bright bore with great rifling, bit dark at the muzzle but should clean up. The 1903a3 is listed as excellent condition with a nice parkerized finish throughout, post-war arsenal rebuild, stock in excellent condition with some pressure/handling marks, SA/box mark on stock, bright bore with great rifling and "frosted muzzle." ME reads 2. Gunbroker is an option, but sorting through the junk is quite a chore and I use it so sparingly I don't even know who to buy from on there. |
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The voices in my head say I’m just being paranoid
Joined:
Oct 2013
Posts:
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EE: 100% (120)
KY, USA
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I would try "D4" Guns on Gunbroker. I've seen a couple decent Carbines there that have tempted me https://www.gunbroker.com/Semi-Auto-Rifles/search?Sort=13&IncludeSellers=517766&PageSize=24 |
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By the way, there's a boatload of them listed on Guns International (various dealers) that you can pick through https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/military-rifles-m1-carbine.c516_p1_o6.cfm |
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Legacy Collectibles They are not cheap but they are honest and will usually list the history of the item with the price. Their YouTube channel is mostly German collectibles but I sometimes browse their sight and see US collectibles as well. And, cool boss. Also, cool bosses don’t do that stuff unless it’s very well deserved. 
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-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Well...after researching options late into the night and again early this morning, I submitted my order. No matter where I looked...GB, GU, etc...I just couldn't find any M1 Carbines or 1903a3s in as good a condition as the two I grabbed from Legacy, for anywhere near the same price. I'm a bit disappointed that LC isn't very consistent with the amount of details they provide on each rifle, such as ME/TE on these, but I shot them an email to ask after submitting my order. They're closed on weekends, but if they don't answer me Monday morning I'll shoot them a call to find out before the rifles ship. Anyway, on to the rifles... https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/clean-underwood-m1-carbine-1943-mfg.html https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/very-nice-smith-coronoa-1903-a3-1943-mfg.html Fulton has an ME/TE tool for the 1903a3, but only an ME gauge for the M1 Carbine, might grab these. I also have the option of CMP for repair/service on either if needed, but if either needs any significant work, probably better to get it back to LC within their 7 day inspection/return period. So, anything in particular I should look for once these show up? Apart from the above tools I have yet to order, I'm not a gunsmith so I just have the basic tools. Plan is to disassemble, thoroughly look over everything, and of course take a bunch of photos for you guys. |
LS swap the world.
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Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: Well...after researching options late into the night and again early this morning, I submitted my order. No matter where I looked...GB, GU, etc...I just couldn't find any M1 Carbines or 1903a3s in as good a condition as the two I grabbed from Legacy, for anywhere near the same price. I'm a bit disappointed that LC isn't very consistent with the amount of details they provide on each rifle, such as ME/TE on these, but I shot them an email to ask after submitting my order. They're closed on weekends, but if they don't answer me Monday morning I'll shoot them a call to find out before the rifles ship. Anyway, on to the rifles... https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/clean-underwood-m1-carbine-1943-mfg.html https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/very-nice-smith-coronoa-1903-a3-1943-mfg.html Fulton has an ME/TE tool for the 1903a3, but only an ME gauge for the M1 Carbine, might grab these. I also have the option of CMP for repair/service on either if needed, but if either needs any significant work, probably better to get it back to LC within their 7 day inspection/return period. So, anything in particular I should look for once these show up? Apart from the above tools I have yet to order, I'm not a gunsmith so I just have the basic tools. Plan is to disassemble, thoroughly look over everything, and of course take a bunch of photos for you guys. How much more info do you expect (see attached screen shot)? Most online purchases work best when questions are asked before purchase in my experience. Back to topic, those are some very nice rifles that will be treasured for life. I tell my wife they ‘precious metals’. Congratulations Attached File |
-History will remember Snark as the language of ignorance.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
-All the fiction novels I once loved I now fear. FJB
Our tax $$$ payed for a Pandemic and I didn’t even get swag.
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Originally Posted By Muricha: How much more info do you expect (see attached screen shot)? Most online purchases work best when questions are asked before purchase in my experience. Back to topic, those are some very nice rifles that will be treasured for life. I tell my wife they 'precious metals'. Congratulations https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/467962/IMG_1296_jpeg-3431535.JPG They do TE/ME readings on their US rifles, but it's really hit or miss. Sometimes they do it, sometimes they don't. They aren't very consistent, and feedback about them seems to confirm that. But...they do take a bunch of photos, and their descriptions are generally accurate. Reviews about them are mostly good, just a few lingering out there where LC described something as rare/valuable, and it really wasn't. In my case these aren't rares/gems and the prices seemed reasonable based on everywhere else I looked, so I think these will be just fine. |
LS swap the world.
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Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: Well...after researching options late into the night and again early this morning, I submitted my order. No matter where I looked...GB, GU, etc...I just couldn't find any M1 Carbines or 1903a3s in as good a condition as the two I grabbed from Legacy, for anywhere near the same price. I'm a bit disappointed that LC isn't very consistent with the amount of details they provide on each rifle, such as ME/TE on these, but I shot them an email to ask after submitting my order. They're closed on weekends, but if they don't answer me Monday morning I'll shoot them a call to find out before the rifles ship. Anyway, on to the rifles... https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/clean-underwood-m1-carbine-1943-mfg.html https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/very-nice-smith-coronoa-1903-a3-1943-mfg.html Fulton has an ME/TE tool for the 1903a3, but only an ME gauge for the M1 Carbine, might grab these. I also have the option of CMP for repair/service on either if needed, but if either needs any significant work, probably better to get it back to LC within their 7 day inspection/return period. So, anything in particular I should look for once these show up? Apart from the above tools I have yet to order, I'm not a gunsmith so I just have the basic tools. Plan is to disassemble, thoroughly look over everything, and of course take a bunch of photos for you guys. I want to say the gauge for the 03 muzzle wear will work on the Carbine, they use the metrics for both since both at 30 cal at the muzzle. Throat gauges for Carbines aren't really needed since Carbines never used corrosive ammo when in service. The 03 and M1 Garand did, that's what the TE gauge is for. Corrosive ammo wears a chamber out faster than non-corrosive ammo |
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Ordered TE/ME gauges for the garand and 03a3, go/no go and field gauges for .30-06 from Fulton Armory. Figured if I'm going to own rifles like that, might as well have the tools to know if they're safe and not shot out. Was looking over the services available from CMP for all three rifles, their prices are really not bad at all for the few jobs they can do on them. Hopefully won't need to go that route, but nice to know it's an option that won't break the bank. |
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LC just got back to me about the TE/ME... TE - Can't measure, doesn't have a tool for it. ME - 2 on 03a3, 6 on carbine. I'm sure I have very little time here to decide on if I want to keep the carbine or not, before it ships. All the other places I looked at for carbines, anything around that same price looked pretty whooped. This one was definitely the nicest looking out of maybe a dozen other options. I also checked CMP, they currently show the new critereon m1 carbine barrels out of stock. I'm assuming, based on all the other barrel prices, that it's around ~$200 and they charge $190 for the job. Don't know anything about recrowing to know if that is worth doing, who is good at it, and what it'll cost compared to a rebarrel. |
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On hold with LC. Not only doe sthe carbine have an ME of 6, it also has an import mark they missed previously. So two strikes on this rifle so far. The gentleman I'm speaking to is discussing with the owner and the gunsmith to see what options I might have here. I do like that rifle, she's a looker, but I'm not paying $1700 for it just to spend another $400 at CMP and end up with something that might be worth $1500. |
LS swap the world.
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Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: LC just got back to me about the TE/ME... TE - Can't measure, doesn't have a tool for it. ME - 2 on 03a3, 6 on carbine. I'm sure I have very little time here to decide on if I want to keep the carbine or not, before it ships. All the other places I looked at for carbines, anything around that same price looked pretty whooped. This one was definitely the nicest looking out of maybe a dozen other options. I also checked CMP, they currently show the new critereon m1 carbine barrels out of stock. I'm assuming, based on all the other barrel prices, that it's around ~$200 and they charge $190 for the job. Don't know anything about recrowing to know if that is worth doing, who is good at it, and what it'll cost compared to a rebarrel. SIX on the Carbine? That's a NO GO IMO. It's way past being able to recrown and when you add the cost of a rebarrel on top of what their asking you could get a new Fulton Armory. Pass on the Carbine, get the barrel gauge you ordered and start looking real time for 1 IMO. |
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Just got off the phone with LC, rather than make a lowball offer to the consignee on the underwood I backed out on it and the rep I spoke to is going to go through their stock of carbines not listed yet to see if he can line me up with something else in that ballpark. I told him if I were to proceed with that underwood, I'd have to get it for maybe $1200 to offset the cost of the rebarrel at CMP and he sounded pretty confident the consignee wouldn't go for it. He'll call me back once he knows what else they have in stock. |
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I'm more curious than actually considering it as an option, but is this Winchester worth $2400? https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/rifles/us-military/clean-1944-winchester-m1-carbine-parts-correct.html |
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Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: I'm more curious than actually considering it as an option, but is this Winchester worth $2400? https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/rifles/us-military/clean-1944-winchester-m1-carbine-parts-correct.html IMO no. Winchesters do command more currently but that would be a $1900K at the most IMO, and only that if the barrel gauged under a "1" on a CMP gauge. For another $100 bucks you can get a new production Fulton with a lifetime warranty |
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D4 has an NPM current at 982, bidding ends on the 19th. On the fence about dealing with an auction. On gunsinternational, sorted by high price first, Pages 4-5 are in the ballpark I'm looking at but the pickings are slim. A handful of listings are Cabelas, and last I remember they won't ship to C&R FFL, they also put little to no useful information in those ads. Several are private sellers, which is limiting in that I need a place that can take card (where the money resides is on my company spend card). Found a promising inland for 1650 at VFI, but it sold recently and they just haven't taken down the ads. Collectors Firearms LLC has a decent looking '44 Inland for 1800, but like all the others, no ME reading so I'd have to call and see if they do that, they also want to hit me for around $160 in sales tax. Still working with LC to see what else they have in their yet-to-be-listed collection of carbines. |
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Finally landed on another carbine. LC had an unlisted Inland in their own inventory(non-consignment), 1944 according to the serial, in overall decent condition with an ME of 2-ish on its Inland barrel. Does have a crack in the top of the stock behind the recoil plate, but I wanted more of a shooter than a collectible anyway so that was fine with me, I'll either repair or replace it. Got it for $1200, almost $500 less than the underwood with an ME-6 reading. After a week of scouring the internet for these things and seeing condition vs price on dozens of them, I think I made out all right on it. https://imgur.com/a/llQmo9u (all photos) Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File The Smith-Corona 03a3 I picked up from them should be here tomorrow. |
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Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: Finally landed on another carbine. LC had an unlisted Inland in their own inventory(non-consignment), 1944 according to the serial, in overall decent condition with an ME of 2-ish on its Inland barrel. Does have a crack in the top of the stock behind the recoil plate, but I wanted more of a shooter than a collectible anyway so that was fine with me, I'll either repair or replace it. Got it for $1200, almost $500 less than the underwood with an ME-6 reading. After a week of scouring the internet for these things and seeing condition vs price on dozens of them, I think I made out all right on it. https://imgur.com/a/llQmo9u (all photos) https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/148395/Inland_M1_Carbine_-_5211675_28835_-_2025-3435948.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/148395/Inland_M1_Carbine_-_5211675_28835_-_2025-3435950.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/148395/Inland_M1_Carbine_-_5211675_28835_-_2025-3435951.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/148395/Inland_M1_Carbine_-_5211675_28835_-_2025-3435952.JPG The Smith-Corona 03a3 I picked up from them should be here tomorrow. A little super glue and some very careful sanding should fix that crack. Worst case I would look at "What a Country" if your looking for a decent "correct" USGI issue https://whatacountry.com/stocks-m1-carbine.aspx Modern repros Numrich is your best bet right now https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/us-military/rifles-usm/m1-carbine-3/stocks-m1car |
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Originally Posted By Muricha: Legacy Collectibles They are not cheap but they are honest and will usually list the history of the item with the price. Their YouTube channel is mostly German collectibles but I sometimes browse their sight and see US collectibles as well. And, cool boss. Also, cool bosses don’t do that stuff unless it’s very well deserved. 100% here. They are the FINEST reputeble dealer in REAL collector ww2 arms. Also Scotty at Pre98.com is an excellent choice. I have bought numerous times from both and they are VERY good to go |
Free at last, thank god I am free at last
| For the most part, can't complain about my experience with LC on the 03a3 and M1 Carbine. I was a bit annoyed that they failed to advertise that the Underwood had an ME of 6 and an import mark, but the guy that handles inventory/photos/inspections spent time going through their listed and unlisted inventory to help me get a carbine that fit what I was wanting. Most of the bad reviews I read about them, which there aren't many of, revolved around their product descriptions, very hit or miss. |
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Got the TE/ME gauges in from Fulton for the 03a3 and Garand, and a set of 30.06 go/no go/field gauges. Didn't bother testing the Garand since it's an expert-grade from CMP. 03a3 = TE-1, ME-1, it was a very tight 1 rating on both, even after a good cleaning. Bolt would lock on Go but it was tight (good thing?), wouldn't lock but extractor could barely grab No Go, no lock or extractor grab on Field. Very happy with these results, and they match up well with the overall excellent condition of the rifle...couldn't be happier with it as my first 03. Carbine = No way to test TE but these didn't shoot corrosive ammo so probably not a concern, ME was a very tight 2 which matches what the guy at LC said before I bought it. After looking over the rear sight of the carbine, I believe it is damaged/bent. When looking from the rear, the base of the rear sight forms a U shape. The sides of that U are where the holes are located for the threaded windage bar and those look pushed down in relation to the bottom flat of the U. It does also have a stake mark on the base. I gave the carbine a good cleaning, there were some very light and superficial surface rust spots here and there because the parkerization is maybe 70% and I don't think it ever got an armory re-park after the war. Since this is a parts-mixed GI that I want to take out and shoot and eventually hand down to my sons, I think I've decided on sending it off to F-A for them to inspect, re-parkerize, and repair or replace the rear sight (and anything else they find that needs attention). For the sight or any other parts that need replaced, I source and ship them parts if needed because I do not want any repro parts on it. Still undecided on the stock due to that crack behind the recoil plate. I may try to find another Inland stock for it and instead of throw this one away...try my hand at repairing and refinishing it, then using that spare stock as an excuse to build another one. |
LS swap the world.
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Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: Got the TE/ME gauges in from Fulton for the 03a3 and Garand, and a set of 30.06 go/no go/field gauges. Didn't bother testing the Garand since it's an expert-grade from CMP. 03a3 = TE-1, ME-1, it was a very tight 1 rating on both, even after a good cleaning. Bolt would lock on Go but it was tight (good thing?), wouldn't lock but extractor could barely grab No Go, no lock or extractor grab on Field. Very happy with these results, and they match up well with the overall excellent condition of the rifle...couldn't be happier with it as my first 03. Carbine = No way to test TE but these didn't shoot corrosive ammo so probably not a concern, ME was a very tight 2 which matches what the guy at LC said before I bought it. After looking over the rear sight of the carbine, I believe it is damaged/bent. When looking from the rear, the base of the rear sight forms a U shape. The sides of that U are where the holes are located for the threaded windage bar and those look pushed down in relation to the bottom flat of the U. It does also have a stake mark on the base. I gave the carbine a good cleaning, there were some very light and superficial surface rust spots here and there because the parkerization is maybe 70% and I don't think it ever got an armory re-park after the war. Since this is a parts-mixed GI that I want to take out and shoot and eventually hand down to my sons, I think I've decided on sending it off to F-A for them to inspect, re-parkerize, and repair or replace the rear sight (and anything else they find that needs attention). For the sight or any other parts that need replaced, I source and ship them parts if needed because I do not want any repro parts on it. Still undecided on the stock due to that crack behind the recoil plate. I may try to find another Inland stock for it and instead of throw this one away...try my hand at repairing and refinishing it, then using that spare stock as an excuse to build another one. Have Fulton do their barrel refresh on it and ask about crowning the barrel. That will get you some more accuracy IMO |
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Originally Posted By DonFlynn: Have Fulton do their barrel refresh on it and ask about crowning the barrel. That will get you some more accuracy IMO This page on their site is only accessible via google search and lists several jobs they do with prices, but I believe this info and the prices are outdated. This page is the updated version, but they no longer break down all the costs and no longer mention anything about the barrel rework or recrowning. I'll ask them about it once I get the post-inspection/work authorization call from the gunsmith. |
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Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: I'm leaning towards that. Still on the fence about having them do the trigger job. This page on their site is only accessible via google search and lists several jobs they do with prices, but I believe this info and the prices are outdated. This page is the updated version, but they no longer break down all the costs and no longer mention anything about the barrel rework or recrowning. I'll ask them about it once I get the post-inspection/work authorization call from the gunsmith. Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: Originally Posted By DonFlynn: Have Fulton do their barrel refresh on it and ask about crowning the barrel. That will get you some more accuracy IMO This page on their site is only accessible via google search and lists several jobs they do with prices, but I believe this info and the prices are outdated. This page is the updated version, but they no longer break down all the costs and no longer mention anything about the barrel rework or recrowning. I'll ask them about it once I get the post-inspection/work authorization call from the gunsmith. They will cover individual services when they contact you. |
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Originally Posted By A6BN: Just my opinion, but I'd rethink re-finishing your carbine. |
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Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: The original parkerization is pretty whooped, and I've had to scrub some surface rust off already and I'll likely keep having to fight that. Since it's a parts mixer that I wanted to be able to take out and shoot, I'm good with having it redone by F-A. Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: Originally Posted By A6BN: Just my opinion, but I'd rethink re-finishing your carbine. You'll be happy with the results. Here's a sporterized Carbine I had FA repark. Bubba had blued it and "jeweled" the bolt Befpre  After 
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Question: When sending my M1 Carbine to Fulton Armory, their instructions say to just include a copy of their FFL. I have my C&R FFL, do I need to include that as well, and log out this rifle in my logbook while its outside of my possession? I've been scouring google for the last 15 minutes and can't get a straight answer on this. Edit: Got my answer, and it's "no." It's not leaving my collection/ownership, so it going out and coming back for repairs doesn't get logged. |
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Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: Question: When sending my M1 Carbine to Fulton Armory, their instructions say to just include a copy of their FFL. I have my C&R FFL, do I need to include that as well, and log out this rifle in my logbook while its outside of my possession? I've been scouring google for the last 15 minutes and can't get a straight answer on this. Edit: Got my answer, and it's "no." It's not leaving my collection/ownership, so it going out and coming back for repairs doesn't get logged. Just make certain you use USPS |
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Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: It went out via USPS. Should be getting delivered to FA today or tomorrow. Originally Posted By johnny_dot_exe: Originally Posted By DonFlynn: Just make certain you use USPS Good |
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