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Posted: 6/22/2024 5:28:20 PM EDT
[Last Edit: EOTechHWS]
Who makes the best commercial M1 Carbine these days? Or am I better off sourcing a Universal or Plainfield?
Link Posted: 6/22/2024 5:37:42 PM EDT
[#1]
300BO is everything 30 Carbine wished it could have been.
Link Posted: 6/22/2024 6:15:54 PM EDT
[Last Edit: M4BlackRifle] [#2]
Fulton Armory manufactures the best new Caliber .30 M1 Carbine.  Auto Ordinance and the new Inland Manufacturing rifles can have some issues.

If you are looking for a vintage commercial M1 Carbine, Alpine and the Japanese made Howa are the ones to get.  Plainfield and Early Universal Carbines that still used USGI parts get good reviews.
Link Posted: 6/22/2024 7:02:03 PM EDT
[#3]
The only one worth buying current production is the Fulton.

The best non USGI maker was Howa, followed by pre-IJ Plainfield and early Universal, IMO.
Link Posted: 6/22/2024 8:11:23 PM EDT
[Last Edit: DonFlynn] [#4]
Current manufacture as mentioned Fulton Armory is the way to go. I own a couple and their as well made as any USGI model during the war.  

Here's a write up on what to look for in buying a Carbine, I mention commercial models

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/So-You-Want-to-Buy-a-M1-Carbine/6-546534/

If you can find a Howa made Carbine they were as well made as USGI models. I have 1 myself that's a tad of a oddball, it used a surplus USGI/Winchester receiver. Their rare though.
Link Posted: 6/22/2024 8:17:11 PM EDT
[#5]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By M4BlackRifle:
Fulton Armory manufactures the best new Caliber .30 M1 Carbine.  Auto Ordinance and the new Inland Manufacturing rifles can have some issues.

If you are looking for a vintage commercial M1 Carbine, Alpine and the Japanese made Howa are the ones to get.  Plainfield and Early Universal Carbines that still used USGI parts get good reviews.
View Quote



Personally, i would avoid the Alpine made ones. They used surplus 1903 barrels for some and also used a modified slide design when surplus USGI slide became scarce. "Gen 1" Universals are good if you can find a early 1 with a USGI slide and trigger group.
Link Posted: 6/22/2024 9:17:07 PM EDT
[#6]
Universal out of Hilea FL. used a lot of military parts the 1st year or two of production. Then made some patented changes and were in business selling them for around 11 years. IIRC
Link Posted: 6/22/2024 9:44:44 PM EDT
[#7]
For a few years IWI made decent copies of the M1 carbine.
Link Posted: 6/23/2024 7:19:43 AM EDT
[Last Edit: vellnueve] [#8]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Sanlanman:
For a few years IWI made decent copies of the M1 carbine.
View Quote


IWI and IAI are not related.

IAI was run out of Texas and their guns were built off cast receivers by Larry Horner of Liberty Armory in the Houston area. They had no relation to IWI/IMI. They ceased to exist in the early 2000s after the owners went into debt and Mr. Horner passed away.

IWI has never built M1 carbines.
Link Posted: 6/23/2024 8:50:48 AM EDT
[#9]
Link Posted: 6/23/2024 12:59:23 PM EDT
[#10]
The commercial Rock-Ola carbine made by JRA has been flawless and a great shooter for my friend that has one. I've only owned USGI carbines,  except for my very first carbine,  which was a Universal.....which was a steaming POS
Link Posted: 6/23/2024 2:07:30 PM EDT
[#11]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Gasbar419:
The commercial Rock-Ola carbine made by JRA has been flawless and a great shooter for my friend that has one. I've only owned USGI carbines,  except for my very first carbine,  which was a Universal.....which was a steaming POS
View Quote



They no longer make those.
Link Posted: 6/23/2024 7:02:06 PM EDT
[#12]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By DonFlynn:



They no longer make those.
View Quote


Dang......if I ever had the hankering for another carbine,  because of how nice his is, that was high on the list.
Link Posted: 6/23/2024 7:24:57 PM EDT
[#13]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Gasbar419:


Dang......if I ever had the hankering for another carbine,  because of how nice his is, that was high on the list.
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Gasbar419:
Originally Posted By DonFlynn:



They no longer make those.


Dang......if I ever had the hankering for another carbine,  because of how nice his is, that was high on the list.



Closest I've been to a JRA carbine was a stripped receiver I bought a couple years ago, and it's had some issues. I've sent it to Fulton to swap out for one of their receivers. I did see 1 Youtube review that the owner was having similar issues with his JRA so I'm thinking he had the same issue, slightly out of spec receiver causing feed issues
Link Posted: 6/24/2024 8:54:45 PM EDT
[#14]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Urimaginaryfrnd:
300BO is everything 30 Carbine wished it could have been.
View Quote

So?
Link Posted: 6/25/2024 9:55:14 PM EDT
[#15]
Originally Posted By EOTechHWS:
Who makes the best commercial M1 Carbine these days? Or am I better off sourcing a Universal or Plainfield?
View Quote


Best in what aspect? Accuracy? Reliability?

I have an Iver Johnson that was a piece of shit when I bought it, but extremely accurate. Once I tweaked on it and ironed out the problems, it's now reliable and accurate. I've had others that were dead nuts reliable but not capable of shooting better than 5" groups at 100 yds.

IMHO it's very hard to beat the 1st Generation Universal's. I've owned two (still own one) and both would do sub 3" at 100 yds. and sub 6" @ 200 yds.

 

 If you can find a 1st Gen in the original stock, they're usually really nice looking walnut-

 

1st Generation Universal Carbine

 All that said, your average shooter isn't going to be able to wring the most accuracy out of these rifles to begin with. So, get whatever blows your skirt up.



Link Posted: 6/26/2024 8:09:34 AM EDT
[Last Edit: cherenkov] [#16]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By ggibbs:


Best in what aspect? Accuracy? Reliability?

I have an Iver Johnson that was a piece of shit when I bought it, but extremely accurate. Once I tweaked on it and ironed out the problems, it's now reliable and accurate. I've had others that were dead nuts reliable but not capable of shooting better than 5" groups at 100 yds.

IMHO it's very hard to beat the 1st Generation Universal's. I've owned two (still own one) and both would do sub 3" at 100 yds. and sub 6" @ 200 yds.

 https://i.imgur.com/Mx9ZQQrl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sWbe9QTl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/fzZLDncl.jpg

 If you can find a 1st Gen in the original stock, they're usually really nice looking walnut-

 https://i.imgur.com/2dPJh2Ul.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2Xgt6uel.jpg

1st Generation Universal Carbine

 All that said, your average shooter isn't going to be able to wring the most accuracy out of these rifles to begin with. So, get whatever blows your skirt up.



View Quote
I agree.  I have a Low SN 1965 Universal that is converted to a registered M2 in the 60s.  It works well even in full auto and is very accurate and is quite "pretty" with its fine walnut and polished blue.  A commercially finished M1 carbine with a fair amount of GI parts, Forged receiver.

Early Universals can sometimes be had for less because of the less liked later variants and the name brings the price point down  - However early ones are indeed fine in my experience.  I pick them up when I can.  

Link Posted: 6/26/2024 9:22:33 AM EDT
[#17]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By cherenkov:
I agree.  I have a Low SN 1965 Universal that is converted to a registered M2 in the 60s.  It works well even in full auto and is very accurate and is quite "pretty" with its fine walnut and polished blue.  A commercially finished M1 carbine with a fair amount of GI parts, Forged receiver.

Early Universals can sometimes be had for less because of the less liked later variants and the name brings the price point down  - However early ones are indeed fine in my experience.  I pick them up when I can.  

View Quote View All Quotes
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Originally Posted By cherenkov:
Originally Posted By ggibbs:


Best in what aspect? Accuracy? Reliability?

I have an Iver Johnson that was a piece of shit when I bought it, but extremely accurate. Once I tweaked on it and ironed out the problems, it's now reliable and accurate. I've had others that were dead nuts reliable but not capable of shooting better than 5" groups at 100 yds.

IMHO it's very hard to beat the 1st Generation Universal's. I've owned two (still own one) and both would do sub 3" at 100 yds. and sub 6" @ 200 yds.

 https://i.imgur.com/Mx9ZQQrl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sWbe9QTl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/fzZLDncl.jpg

 If you can find a 1st Gen in the original stock, they're usually really nice looking walnut-

 https://i.imgur.com/2dPJh2Ul.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2Xgt6uel.jpg

type Status report

message

description Access to the specified resource has been forbidden.


Apache Tomcat/7.0.68 (Ubuntu)

" target="_blank">1st Generation Universal Carbine


 All that said, your average shooter isn't going to be able to wring the most accuracy out of these rifles to begin with. So, get whatever blows your skirt up.



I agree.  I have a Low SN 1965 Universal that is converted to a registered M2 in the 60s.  It works well even in full auto and is very accurate and is quite "pretty" with its fine walnut and polished blue.  A commercially finished M1 carbine with a fair amount of GI parts, Forged receiver.

Early Universals can sometimes be had for less because of the less liked later variants and the name brings the price point down  - However early ones are indeed fine in my experience.  I pick them up when I can.  




I've been tempted on a Gen 1 Universal myself but the last 1 I saw had a postwar trigger group. That and I have 12 m1 Carbines now, I think that's enough
Link Posted: 6/26/2024 9:22:54 AM EDT
[Last Edit: DonFlynn] [#18]
Link Posted: 6/26/2024 11:04:49 AM EDT
[#19]
These days, I could not tell you. That said, you might consider finding a GI parts kit that was built on a Springfield Armory Inc. receiver. Their receivers were really nice when they were in production back in the day.
Link Posted: 6/26/2024 12:06:55 PM EDT
[Last Edit: DonFlynn] [#20]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By HurstXJ:
These days, I could not tell you. That said, you might consider finding a GI parts kit that was built on a Springfield Armory Inc. receiver. Their receivers were really nice when they were in production back in the day.
View Quote



Rare and expensive.


It would be cheaper just to buy a new production Fulton that would have a warranty.
Link Posted: 6/27/2024 12:46:14 AM EDT
[#21]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By HurstXJ:
These days, I could not tell you. That said, you might consider finding a GI parts kit that was built on a Springfield Armory Inc. receiver. Their receivers were really nice when they were in production back in the day.
View Quote


The SA receivers were made by LMT, same as the Fultons.
Link Posted: 6/27/2024 8:38:14 AM EDT
[#22]
At one point, I had a National Ordnance. While I heard some bad things about their 1903A3s, the M1 carbine they made did just fine by me. From the research I did, it would’ve been almost all GI parts. Mine ran just fine. I think it was a bit over gassed, but it ran fine. Regrettably I had to sell it some years back. But if I were looking for a commercial carbine, I’d buy another one.
Link Posted: 6/27/2024 3:27:35 PM EDT
[#23]
If I had known how easy it was to put carbines together, I would have gotten into them years ago.  I'm of the opinion that any GI dimensioned receiver should work fine if you throw enough GI or good GI dimensioned parts at it.  We're past the point where that's cheaper than building ARs, but as long as you don't get an out of spec reproduction (late model Universals, modern Inlands & Auto Ordnance) anything can be fixed.

http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/parts.html
Link Posted: 6/27/2024 11:21:15 PM EDT
[#24]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By backbencher:
If I had known how easy it was to put carbines together, I would have gotten into them years ago.  I'm of the opinion that any GI dimensioned receiver should work fine if you throw enough GI or good GI dimensioned parts at it.  We're past the point where that's cheaper than building ARs, but as long as you don't get an out of spec reproduction (late model Universals, modern Inlands & Auto Ordnance) anything can be fixed.

http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/parts.html
View Quote


Agreed.  Still get USGI New Old stock in Wrap (many decades old) parts.  Easy to keep it going - all good except the price of ammo.

Hope AIM gets more PPU which was the best price as of late.
Link Posted: 6/28/2024 9:27:02 AM EDT
[#25]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By cherenkov:


Agreed.  Still get USGI New Old stock in Wrap (many decades old) parts.  Easy to keep it going - all good except the price of ammo.

Hope AIM gets more PPU which was the best price as of late.
View Quote


I've actually been finding PPU at better prices using Ammoseek the past few week and the outfits have had free shipping with a certain its cheaper than AIM.

I'm also seeing  Sellier&Bellot at the same price. I snagged a case of that last nite for $303 which is a good price.
Link Posted: 6/28/2024 11:25:42 AM EDT
[#26]
Originally Posted By EOTechHWS:
Who makes the best commercial M1 Carbine these days? Or am I better off sourcing a Universal or Plainfield?
View Quote


GI carbines are plentiful and IMO, better than any commercial model currently available.

IDK if the CMP has any available at this moment, but buying a reconditioned model through them is the way to go.
Link Posted: 6/28/2024 11:33:17 AM EDT
[#27]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By borderpatrol:


GI carbines are plentiful and IMO, better than any commercial model currently available.

IDK if the CMP has any available at this moment, but buying a reconditioned model through them is the way to go.
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Originally Posted By borderpatrol:
Originally Posted By EOTechHWS:  Who makes the best commercial M1 Carbine these days? Or am I better off sourcing a Universal or Plainfield?


GI carbines are plentiful and IMO, better than any commercial model currently available.

IDK if the CMP has any available at this moment, but buying a reconditioned model through them is the way to go.


Eh, those expensive forged guns are probably equal to GI guns, with warranty service.

https://www.fulton-armory.com/M1-Carbine.aspx
Link Posted: 6/28/2024 12:04:36 PM EDT
[#28]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By borderpatrol:


GI carbines are plentiful and IMO, better than any commercial model currently available.

IDK if the CMP has any available at this moment, but buying a reconditioned model through them is the way to go.
View Quote View All Quotes
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Originally Posted By borderpatrol:
Originally Posted By EOTechHWS:
Who makes the best commercial M1 Carbine these days? Or am I better off sourcing a Universal or Plainfield?


GI carbines are plentiful and IMO, better than any commercial model currently available.

IDK if the CMP has any available at this moment, but buying a reconditioned model through them is the way to go.


CMP hasn't had Carbines in years.
Link Posted: 6/28/2024 8:42:09 PM EDT
[#29]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By DonFlynn:


CMP hasn't had Carbines in years.
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By DonFlynn:
Originally Posted By borderpatrol:
Originally Posted By EOTechHWS:
Who makes the best commercial M1 Carbine these days? Or am I better off sourcing a Universal or Plainfield?


GI carbines are plentiful and IMO, better than any commercial model currently available.

IDK if the CMP has any available at this moment, but buying a reconditioned model through them is the way to go.


CMP hasn't had Carbines in years.


GunBroker and other online dealers are awash in them.
Link Posted: 6/28/2024 11:41:13 PM EDT
[#30]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By borderpatrol:


GunBroker and other online dealers are awash in them.
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By borderpatrol:
Originally Posted By DonFlynn:
Originally Posted By borderpatrol:
Originally Posted By EOTechHWS:
Who makes the best commercial M1 Carbine these days? Or am I better off sourcing a Universal or Plainfield?


GI carbines are plentiful and IMO, better than any commercial model currently available.

IDK if the CMP has any available at this moment, but buying a reconditioned model through them is the way to go.


CMP hasn't had Carbines in years.


GunBroker and other online dealers are awash in them.



True, and prices are all over the place on Gunbroker.  You can get lucky, I did myself with this one

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/I-Have-A-M1-Carbine-Addiction/6-548465/

Or unlucky. like I did with this one

https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/Bless-Me-Follow-M1-Carbine-Lovers-I-have-sinned/6-547160/

Besides the commercial Plainfield parts I listed it came with the bolt had headspace issues. I was able to source a NOS Underwood to replace the bad bolt but I ended up spending as much to make the carbine safe to fire as I did buying it.
Link Posted: 6/30/2024 4:08:46 PM EDT
[#31]
my father worked at Plainfield machine in the early 60's doing machine work, i would love to find one from 63 ish as there would be a 90% chance he did the machine work on it
Link Posted: 6/30/2024 6:14:58 PM EDT
[#32]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By intercooler:
my father worked at Plainfield machine in the early 60's doing machine work, i would love to find one from 63 ish as there would be a 90% chance he did the machine work on it
View Quote


Mine is around 1965-67
Link Posted: 6/30/2024 9:13:38 PM EDT
[#33]
Link Posted: 7/22/2024 11:17:56 PM EDT
[#34]
I read Inland is making M1 car bones again. Read an article on them sounded pretty good.
Link Posted: 7/22/2024 11:27:43 PM EDT
[#35]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Sixgun357:  I read Inland is making M1 car bones again. Read an article on them sounded pretty good.
View Quote


http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_inland.html

Not fully GI parts compatible - including different dimensioned bolts.
Link Posted: 7/23/2024 11:11:46 AM EDT
[#36]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By backbencher:


http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_inland.html

Not fully GI parts compatible - including different dimensioned bolts.
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Originally Posted By backbencher:
Originally Posted By Sixgun357:  I read Inland is making M1 car bones again. Read an article on them sounded pretty good.


http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_inland.html

Not fully GI parts compatible - including different dimensioned bolts.


r
"New" Inland (HiPoint) uses the same supplier for M1 Carbine parts as Auto Ordnance. A/O has had issues with warped receiver's. "New" Inland had issues with bolt hardness early production.
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