CMP M1 Carbines

[mike9905]

I feel like a sucker. Aside from the Bavarians, every CMP carbine I received was a huge disappointment. Anyone else feel the same?

[Orlando]

Never got a Bavarian but my Inland and Underwood were real nice.
Why so unhappy?

[canes7]

I bought one of the $419 Inlands. I had to send it back with a bent barrel. The one the replaced it with, after 6 weeks, wont feed for shit and is just a big a POS as the 1st one. It was only $419 though...

[MH53GUNNER]

I cannot complain.
Every carbine that I got was hand picked at the CMP South and North Stores.

What did frost my ass is the gangs of assholes that come in large groups and circle the racks everytime the new load of carbines was released. These pricks make it hard for anyone to get into the rack to look at anything until they are done cherry picking through the rack.

During one trip I got so damn frosted that I intentionally bumped into one of the turds real hard and inserted myself into the frenzy. ( I did say excuse me...LOL)

Once they grab all of the sweet carbines they would put them into a corner with a guard dog to protect the booty. Then proceed to clamer about which ones they wanted to buy.
From there it would get even worse. These clowns would spend the next few hours sitting and milling around switching parts and making correct rifles. They would do it in a way that the CMP guys could not really tell they were swithching out parts and thought they were just checking the internals.

Well that said. I fired off to Orest and the end came to sitting at the tables and checking your rifle. The notes went up at the stores that anyone caught switching parts would be removed from the store and banned for life.

YES IT WAS ME! I DID IT!

I even busted one guy who flat out told me that he was purchasing all of the carbines to sell at a gun show in Birmingham on Saturday.
This asshole cleared out a entire rack of Inlands within minutes while customers were forced to wait till the CMP reloaded the rack.

It was not the fact that he was selling the rifles but the attitude and bragging about not caring about anything but making a huge profit.

Hope my rant is not too far off topic just frost my ass. SORRY!

[cuppednlocked]

Kudos to you sir!

I witnessed everything but the parts switching on the 2 or 3 trips to the SS. 2 regulars would zip in grab 5, 6 or more (as many new rifles as were in the racks) and pile them in the corner by the counter. They would take their time and break down the interesting ones. My order was generally processed before they were called to the counter so I have no idea how many were taken home. I'm guessing quite a few.

At the Eastern Games a guy gathered 3 of the best FG SA's out of the 5 or 6 on the table and was really taking his time trying to decide which he was going to purchase. After 5 minutes of hemming and hawing about the decision I asked (politely) if I could look at one with good muzzle readings and WW2 serial number. I was looking to buy a friend his first shooter and this one had what I was looking for. He handed it to me and I promptly gave it to the guys behind the table and said, "I'll take it". Did I feel bad? Not all all. There were only 6 rifles on the table at the time and he had half the inventory tied up. It was time to shit or get off the pot!

[jak]

I got an Inland by mail and 2 IBM's at the north store. I'm happy with all of them. The only thing I replaced on all of them were the stocks ans handguards.

[redheep]

My carbine was a private purchase NPM in very good condition. I got in too late to the game to get anything from CMP.

Can't that $400 one get a little smithing and a repark? I'm sure it can be made to function well and keep you happy. If not, I'll take it off your hands :D

[Orlando]

I cannot complain.
Every carbine that I got was hand picked at the CMP South and North Stores.

What did frost my ass is the gangs of assholes that come in large groups and circle the racks everytime the new load of carbines was released. These pricks make it hard for anyone to get into the rack to look at anything until they are done cherry picking through the rack.

During one trip I got so damn frosted that I intentionally bumped into one of the turds real hard and inserted myself into the frenzy. ( I did say excuse me...LOL)

Once they grab all of the sweet carbines they would put them into a corner with a guard dog to protect the booty. Then proceed to clamer about which ones they wanted to buy.
From there it would get even worse. These clowns would spend the next few hours sitting and milling around switching parts and making correct rifles. They would do it in a way that the CMP guys could not really tell they were swithching out parts and thought they were just checking the internals.

Well that said. I fired off to Orest and the end came to sitting at the tables and checking your rifle. The notes went up at the stores that anyone caught switching parts would be removed from the store and banned for life.

YES IT WAS ME! I DID IT!

I even busted one guy who flat out told me that he was purchasing all of the carbines to sell at a gun show in Birmingham on Saturday.
This asshole cleared out a entire rack of Inlands within minutes while customers were forced to wait till the CMP reloaded the rack.

It was not the fact that he was selling the rifles but the attitude and bragging about not caring about anything but making a huge profit.

Hope my rant is not too far off topic just frost my ass. SORRY!

Good for you, atta boy!!

[M1orNone]

I know I'll probably catch hell for this, but....

I'd love to get a carbine some day. I like them a lot. Having said that, I can't seem to understand why they command the some of the prices that they do. I could see an all-original WW2 carbine going for quite a bit, but not some beater that's built out of parts from eight different makers, that looks like it was dragged down a pothole-riddled asphalt road for twelve miles. I just can't see it.

Am I wrong? Am I just being a cheap bastard, or am I thinking along the right lines?

[MH53GUNNER]

I know I'll probably catch hell for this, but....

I'd love to get a carbine some day. I like them a lot. Having said that, I can't seem to understand why they command the some of the prices that they do. I could see an all-original WW2 carbine going for quite a bit, but not some beater that's built out of parts from eight different makers, that looks like it was dragged down a pothole-riddled asphalt road for twelve miles. I just can't see it.

Am I wrong? Am I just being a cheap bastard, or am I thinking along the right lines?


I love the little carbine. I purchased my first one from a 5 and dime store called Woolworths back in the early 1970's for something like 75 bucks. It was a rough shot out Inland.

Back in the 1980 and early 90's carbines were stacked on gunshow tables like cordwood. The asking prices were around 125 bucks. Stocks were often offered for sale from trash cans where they were jamed in like old baseball bats.

Carbines are way over priced. So the prices have skyrocketed in a little over 10 years and I don't see the prices dropping.

I have an ad from Centerfire Systems when they were selling carbines and parts. The prices are low. I will see if I can post the ad.

[M1orNone]

That's what bugs me, Gunner. I wasn't around to see prices like that, that I remember anyway. I imagine inflation plays a large part in prices now too. Hell, I thought my Dad was batshit crazy, for paying $400 for a nice, honest-to-God Colt Car-15, around 20 years ago. Now look what they go for! ;)

[REHRIFLE]

Four or so years ago, i purchased two mail order CMP carbines and have no complaints. They are mixmasters and show the their history. Less costly and better looking rifles are available, but they are not USGI carbines from WWII. With no more on the CMP horizon, prices will remain at historical highs for a while. I don't buy any of my firearms for investment, I buy for pleasure, so while I am cost sensitive, I may pay a little more for the enjoyment.

[checkmate19]

I purchased 3 rockolas, and 1 of each of the others , missed on the quality hardware. I did not change anything on them and was happy with most all. My first saginaw was not so nice and I paid 479 i think so I sold it for 550 and ordered another and it was nice. I never got in to them and recently decided to dump them. I have been listing them on cmp for about 150.00 more than I paid and sell in minuets. So guess I am pretty happy knowing I would get my money back , The buyers aare very please and quickly contact looking for more. Over all I would say they were nice.

[captain_bob_badfish]

No complaints from me, even though my Rockola came to me without a rear site peep.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j258/bobcrisman/Misc/peep.jpg

[musketjon]

I can't complain about my (once upon a time BlueSky) Irwin Pedersen. It's all correct, including a "new" Underwood 2/43 barrel, except that dad-gum adjustable rear sight. But hey, I'm in it for less than $200 so I can't complain too much.
Jon
<a href="http://s660.photobucket.com/albums/uu321/musketjon/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_0016.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu321/musketjon/IMG_0016.jpg" border="0" alt="IP and Liam-2"></a>

[Punch The Clown]

No complaints from me, even though my Rockola came to me without a rear site peep.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j258/bobcrisman/Misc/peep.jpg

If you didn't already do it just change the aperture as there is a little danger removing the sight base.

[Frederick]

I've got a real nice Bavarian and a not as nice S'G' RG. I was thinking of having Mr. Shufflin do his thing with the S'G' but have decided to keep it as it is. I don't feel bad about either of them. In fact seeing the crap at gun shows makes me real happy I got what I did.

[llurpirate]

I have picked up 4 carbines and a barreled receiver from CMP. All were great but not the number one collector condition. My only disappointment was the stocks on all of them were not very good. Mechanically all are excellaNT JUST don't have that look.

[LEAD POISON]

I bought over 20 carbines.the good part is the CMP didn't pull the good parts out(as they do on Garands)And I made some pretty nice carbines,
Kept 3, A winchester 1st month production 10/42.A Rockola. Needs a Rockola trigger to be correct,and an IBM correct.
I have never fired any of these,Haven't even seen them in a while,Time to dig out of the safe and oil them down,I guess.

[Gyrene63]

I know I'll probably catch hell for this, but....

I'd love to get a carbine some day. I like them a lot. Having said that, I can't seem to understand why they command the some of the prices that they do. I could see an all-original WW2 carbine going for quite a bit, but not some beater that's built out of parts from eight different makers, that looks like it was dragged down a pothole-riddled asphalt road for twelve miles. I just can't see it.

Am I wrong? Am I just being a cheap bastard, or am I thinking along the right lines?

Yeah, the prices are on the high side but they follow the rule of supply and demand. If the current regime would allow the re-importation of lend/lease Garands and Carbines from the ROK, the prices will drop rapidly.
It boils down to a get-it-now or a wait-and-see situation.
Prices will vary by make, of course with USGI commanding the premium, condition, and geographic location. Probability of finding an all 'original' is slim with most being built to resemble original. In reality, however, the little shooter is still a good bargain for the most part. BUT it is a caveat emptor scenerio.

[tljames]

Back in '88 or '89, I worked at a True Value Harware store (remember we're in Oklahoma) and we sold a few guns and some ammo. We received a load of Carbines, maybe 50 or so and they sold for $79.99. I didn't really know what they were at that time and had like no intrest in "mil surp" rifles. So I really can't tell you what shape make or model they were. I just know I've kicked myself repeatedly ever since for not snagging half a dozen or so of them! Guys knew what they were because they didn't last but a couple of weeks and we never received any more! Thomas

[Tony S]

My only Mail Order Carbine was a Winchester Service Grade and was a disappointment. But the two I hand picked at the CMP North Store were major scores.

[themeowman]

Well done MH53gunner!
I got 3 mail order & 1 picked out at north store & was very pleased with
all of them$clapper$ The one I picked out at NS is my "shooter" & needed
a new & taller sight, common problem. I have shot them all, no safe queens:D
Tom

[MH53GUNNER]

I am still looking forward towards the possible importation of the carbines from Korea. What I won't like will be the high prices since there is no competition from the CMP. Companies like Century will be raping the collecting community.

Last weekend while at a gunshow in Dale City Va I came across a guy that was selling a nice looking Saginaw Gear that dated from 43 with matching barrel. The guy had $650 on it. I was not looking for a carbine since the prices have been 800 and over. The guy seemed to be not willing to tell me anything other that it was a good deal. I ended up passing.

One other guy was trying to clip someone telling him that the Winny he was looking at was correct. His asking price was 1,200. The stock was Winny, the butt plate was Inland the recoil plate was not W marked the rear sight was a replacement Inland and the front sight also was not winny. The dealers wife came over and asked if she could help. When I told her that the rifle was not correct, she turned red as a beet and mumbled something to her husband.
We had a very nice discussion...LOL. I handed him a club business card and told him to learn something about carbines. I guess he will not be sending me a Xmas card this year, nor will he become a club member.... The best part was when the customer handed them back the rifle and offered him 700 bucks....FN priceless.

[sandsnow]

Good job gunner. I hate liars

[deputy85]

I bought a Rockola, BAVARIAN AND A iNLAND,i already had a winchester, i kept the bavarian, it's just to nice/correct. to sell i kept the winchester, traded the nearly correct Rockola for one of the nice Greek airforce H&RS-SG all correct and 600 rds of HXP, sold the sg inland to a friend, the carbines just dont have the attraction for me that the Garands do

[Orlando]

Heres my CMP Mail Order Underwood. I dont have her anymore as I needed the cash and the pea shooters just dont do much for me
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/Garandlover/Underwood%20Carbine/Picture016.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/Garandlover/Underwood%20Carbine/MVC-011F.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/Garandlover/Underwood%20Carbine/Picture026.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/Garandlover/Underwood%20Carbine/Picture024.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/Garandlover/Underwood%20Carbine/Picture021.jpg

[mike9905]

Why am I disappointed? The CMP Garands were conservatively graded. All of mine were as good or better than described. The carbines: aside from the Bavarians they should have had this disclaimer: "with rare exceptions the stocks are rough/unserviceable and need to be replaced."

[MH53GUNNER]

it was funny that I found more Rack Grade carbines that were better than the SG carbines.

I tried on several occasions to grab one of the Rockola carbines but never scored. Now since I am retired looks like I am SOL. Guess I have to get a second job or sell the wife.

I keep waiting on someone to sell a IP for CMP prices.... Yeah one can only dream.

[MH53GUNNER]

Why am I disappointed? The CMP Garands were conservatively graded. All of mine were as good or better than described. The carbines: aside from the Bavarians they should have had this disclaimer: "with rare exceptions the stocks are rough/unserviceable and need to be replaced."


Remember Orest due to health reasons sent the carbines stock and all through the big dishwasher. Bat droppings can be hazardous to your health. I wish they had of just made you sign a statement and they shipped the carbines in a sealed plastic bag. Many a good stock was trashed. Those carbine stocks were more rough that a corn cob left to dry.

[Roadkingtrax]

I feel like a sucker. Aside from the Bavarians, every CMP carbine I received was a huge disappointment. Anyone else feel the same?

I regret selling the Saginaw that I purchased. I, like you was most pleased with the Bavarian...did not go for the flip sight though.

Carbines seemed to have been quite popular, I am saddened to see the juvenile behavior at the stores. Thanks for putting a stop to it 53!!!

[Prince Humperdink]

Back in '88 or '89, I worked at a True Value Harware store (remember we're in Oklahoma) and we sold a few guns and some ammo. We received a load of Carbines, maybe 50 or so and they sold for $79.99. I didn't really know what they were at that time and had like no intrest in "mil surp" rifles. So I really can't tell you what shape make or model they were. I just know I've kicked myself repeatedly ever since for not snagging half a dozen or so of them! Guys knew what they were because they didn't last but a couple of weeks and we never received any more! Thomas

I bought a Russian made SKS that was a true Gem,and still in cosmo from a True Value(if memory serves) in Nevada for $99,and I thought that was High(they had 'em in barrels)...those were the Days!

[Roadkingtrax]

I'm sure some days are still around. :)