M2 Postal Meter

CA sucks

June 03, 2012 00:29

So someone asked me some questions regarding their M2 carbine, and I have no idea, so I'm asking here

What is the going rate for a semi-auto M2 carbine made by Postal Meter in '45?
I searched the auctions, but I couldn't find enough to get an idea of the price.

Also, is it legal to own/sell the parts needed to make it automatic?
-Yes I know you'd be committing a crime if you put such parts in a non-NFA registered firearm, and it would be a bad idea to have those parts anywhere near a gun they could fit in that isn't a legally registered machine gun
- My advice to the guy was initially to just melt the parts down or dump them in the ocean, but can he get any money for such parts without breaking the law?

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  givette

  June 03, 2012 01:50

  Assuming it's a papered (by ATF) machinegun, then the going rate will be between $4,000-$6,000 (or higher) depending upon condition.
  
  Also, if it's a papered (registered) machinegun, much more will be realized if the gun were to be sold as-is, without performing a teardown for individual parts sale.
  
  Check receiver: If unregistered, and the stamping says U.S. Carbine Cal .30 M1, then lose the parts, and you can rebuild a semi-auto gun.
  
  If unregistered, and the stamping says U.S. Carbine Cal .30 M2, then the receiver, and also the auto-parts* need to be discarded ASAP.
  
  Parts to lose on an unregistered machinegun:
  1. Disconnector (little square thingie with the spring plunger)
  2. Connector (long flat piece running from op rod to the disconnector'-this has the front takedown pin attached. If building an M1, you will need a replacement 'M1 style' pin
  3. '9' spring
  4. Selector switch
  5. Receiver (if stamped 'M2')
  
  Parts Okay to keep (doesn't constitute a machinegun):
  1. M2 hammer/sear
  2. M2 bolt
  3. M2 stock
  4. M2 trigger housing
  5. Receiver (if stamped M1)
  
  Best, Joe
  
  
  *needs confirmation, as I remember something about M2 parts, sold and or posessed as a complete set being an ATF violation

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  MIKE WISKEY

  June 03, 2012 05:07

  to simplify what givette said; if it is stampted 'm-2' and is NOT registered now it is worth -$25,000/ten years

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  nmyers

  June 03, 2012 05:26

  Your friend is confused; until we figure out what he has, I suggest that you limit your contact to email. In other words, you don't want to be in his home if his carbine is there.
  
  Postal Meter made only M1 carbines; they never made M2 carbines. M1 carbines are semi-auto, M2 carbines are select fire. The US military converted many M1 carbines to select fire, & called (or stamped) them "M2 carbine"; so did some commercial companies. So, if this one has been modified......your friend needs to be sure what he has.
  
  A complete set of the parts needed to make an M1 carbine is called an "M2 carbine parts kit" by BATF. A complete set of these parts is considered to be a machine gun, with or without a carbine. Possession of all the parts requires registration, possession of most of the parts without registration is perfectly legal.
  
  Vendors at gun shows & on the internet sell M2 carbine parts legally, & the hypothetical combined value of a complete kit is probably < $100. But, note that NO dealer sells ALL the parts, as that could get him into trouble.
  
  For those of us not in the business, it's not worth inviting the attention that selling a couple of M2 carbine parts might bring.
  
  I suggest that your friend buy an inexpensive paperback, "US M1 Carbines, Wartime Production" by Craig Riesch, which explains everything most folks need to identify carbines & their parts.
  
  Neal

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