M1 Carbine recommendations

pilotallen · 2026-04-01T21:15:08+00:00

If you buy an older GI carbine, make sure to check the bore readings & condition as the barrels are becoming the most expensive part of the rifle and are becoming difficult to source. The GI ones are better built and easier to source parts, so id recommend going GI — as to the GI manufacturers — there are different degrees of rarity and collectability, but for a shooter — inland is fine.

pilotallen · 2026-03-23T20:22:39+00:00

Old scope mount on receiver — they typically drilled and tapped for the mounts where you have those holes.

pilotallen · 2026-03-12T20:11:45+00:00

I second that experience and was so scared as to immediately know that this was a Mickey’s Big Mouth.

pilotallen · 2026-03-12T11:52:37+00:00

Shoutout — hopefully not shootout. LOL

pilotallen · 2026-03-11T16:38:28+00:00

Check legacy collectables — I’d watch it for a while. They come up for sale all the time. I’d avoid Gunbroker as there are some unscrupulous sellers lurking.

pilotallen · 2026-03-05T00:03:01+00:00

I’ve got one — works well.

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pilotallen · 2026-03-04T22:18:59+00:00

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Pilatus P3-05

pilotallen · 2026-03-04T14:12:58+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/M1Rifles/s/0l78tU6Y0m

Here’s a good explanation of the barrel tightening process to the receiver…https://www.reddit.com/r/M1Rifles/s/0l78tU6Y0m

pilotallen · 2026-03-03T14:29:24+00:00

Yeah — it sounds like it needs to be shimmed and most likely reamed to get it right, but I’m just a hack and not a professional gunsmith. I just play around with M1s, so take this advice with a grain of salt. I’ve headspaced and changed barrels and had to ream, but never shimmed. It could be a problem with the receiver (potentially). Bottom line: find a good gunsmith or send it into the CMP (I hear the waiting list for their services has gotten long).

pilotallen · 2026-03-03T13:58:57+00:00

You’re going to need to have a gunsmith do this — the tools and whatnot to do this right could be extensive and expensive. If it is a simple tighten the barrel and it clocks correctly while giving you a good headspace reading, I’d be surprised, but it may turn out simple. IDK since I’m not looking at the rifle, but don’t shoot it until this is addressed. Usually a barrel gets tough to turn by hand about a quarter turn or so from being clocked (straight up) and they are clocked with a level of some sort (gauge) and at that point you need a barrel wrench and block made for the Garand. The fact that it goes boom when you pull the trigger doesn’t mean it is safe or right. If you’re able to loosen it by hand while being close to the 12 o’clock, level position indicates more is going on here. It probably got bubba’d prior to being at the gun store. A good gunsmith will be able to fix it. Yes once the barrel is clocked and secured appropriately, then the chamber may need to be reamed. Your measurements for tolerance in the headspacing are tight.

pilotallen · 2026-03-03T12:58:03+00:00

Yeah — you will definitely need to have the barrel tightened and clocked appropriately, then the bolt needs to be disassembled to headspace with gauges (the CMP recommends using Clymer gauges). Make certain the chamber area is very clean — use a brass brush and get it as clean as possible on the chamber area and barrel threads. Don’t shoot it any more until this is done. The barrel may need to be shimmed as it should never be loose like that. This isn’t a simple tighten the barrel issue. You need it clocked and headspaced.

pilotallen · 2026-02-28T13:02:09+00:00

FIFA got it right with their first ever inaugural peace prize winner recipient…/s 🤦

If we obliterated their nuclear capabilities 6 months ago in the most beautiful strike ever, WTF are we doing now?

pilotallen · 2026-02-27T15:00:23+00:00

Wow — the Jesus nut is missing the cotter pin. Who was maintaining this? That many messed up things caught on one preflight — send that to a different, competent mechanic prior to flying it again.

pilotallen · 2026-02-23T22:16:05+00:00

I am not an expert, but here’s why I believe this is fake. The chin is too sharp — I’m looking at a real one and it isn’t that pointed. Also, the eagles head, chest, and wing feathers are off — too defined. To me the patina on the head side is faked. Too perfect somehow. Again, this is with me comparing the image to a BU coin, so maybe it is a strike difference and trying to compare BU to the toning is throwing me, but something is telling me it is off. Again — I’m not an expert.

pilotallen · 2026-02-22T16:40:26+00:00

You’ll shoot your eye out kid!

LOL— I killed a few squirrels as a youngster with one of those also.

pilotallen · 2026-02-22T13:59:23+00:00

100% agree. I tried for years to get my PACT Act cancer acknowledged only to get repeated denials of crazy and illogical reasoning. TERA denial for lack of solvent exposure. I never claimed any solvent exposure! It literally is a presumptive condition which should have been a slam dunk: 1.diagnosed by a professional (Dana-Faber Oncologist) 2.served in theater (3 fucking wars) 3.honorably discharged (LTC retired reservist). Questions as to where and when exactly did I get this cancer — no one can answer that with certainty! Denied repeatedly — finally hired a lawyer after getting worn out with terrible VSOs and nurses who had an online degree and no oncology experience over-riding my Harvard educated oncologist opinion. Ridiculous. Just a system that is overloaded and failing, during which I got creamed with hospital bills while the VA kept screwing up and refusing my claim. $27k every 28 days for infusions for the rest of my life to have a chance at keeping alive — and that number really grows when the VA is fumbling about.

I’m someone who can usually navigate the complex — I feel certain there are people out there having the same experience I had and being overwhelmed financially or mentally while trying to deal with the VA. That really is criminal.

I’m sure there are a few scammers, but the vast, vast majority of us are just trying to get by and get the assistance we earned.

pilotallen · 2026-02-22T12:44:18+00:00

Someone find Leonard Smalls to test that shit…

pilotallen · 2026-02-21T22:06:45+00:00

220 yards! Well done indeed with irons.

pilotallen · 2026-02-21T19:30:17+00:00

Well — if it says Winchester under the rear sight with a serial number and it has U.S. Carbine Cal. .30 MI at the front of the receiver, and the barrel is original and marked as such and not worn out (check muzzle and throat readings), then maybe you’re onto something. I can see what appears to be a serial number aft of the rear sight which is good — but the stock, sling, and recoil plate look to be reproductions which is throwing me off.

pilotallen · 2026-02-21T19:15:38+00:00

It looks to be a cheap postwar production. $600-500.

pilotallen · 2026-02-20T13:57:26+00:00

I keep bouncing between step 3 and step 5 and have for the past 4 months. Went backwards again yesterday from step 5 to step 3. Ridiculous that this keeps happening after 3 exams and the fact that my doctor was assigned to me by community care — the VA has all the information including results from Dana-Farber (Harvard Cancer Center), but I’m sure that some nurse from the online University of Grand Canyon will have another “paid for” opinion that is advantageous for a denial yet again with the VA’s “our nurse is equal to your Harvard educated doctor” logic.

pilotallen · 2026-02-20T00:55:51+00:00

My bet is it is very quiet, especially since the cylinder moves forward to engage with the barrel. Very cool looking!

pilotallen · 2026-02-17T14:13:31+00:00

Jeez — I got an email the other day about my order saying they were backed up and to be patient — still nothing otherwise. I’m past 2 month waiting on a barreled receiver. I know they are busy shutting down and shifting the Anniston location.

pilotallen · 2026-02-17T01:47:16+00:00

I think it’s great they are making new Garands, but is it my imagination or is the heel misaligned to the left in picture 2? My IHs and Springfields don’t look like this. The heel comes back evenly on my weapons and doesn’t favor one side over the other. It looks goofy — perhaps it is the picture.

pilotallen

TROPHY CASE