Winchester M-1A Carbine Info......
I recently acquired such a gun.....but know little to nothing about how to disassemble, assemble, etc. I am wondering who makes the best and most comprehensive book about these and where can I get one?
While I'm asking.... anyone know of a web site with info about the Winchester M-1A Carbine? How would you check on ALL of the properly marked items on such a gun? Serial No. is 654XXXX if that helps. Thanks in advance!
Contrary to what you may have been told, "Green Jello is a Side Dish, NOT Dessert!"
While I'm asking.... anyone know of a web site with info about the Winchester M-1A Carbine? How would you check on ALL of the properly marked items on such a gun? Serial No. is 654XXXX if that helps. Thanks in advance!
Contrary to what you may have been told, "Green Jello is a Side Dish, NOT Dessert!"
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I believe that your gun is a Winchester M1 carbine; if it has a folding stock it might be an M1A1 carbine.
Assembly/disassembly instructions are available in a reprint of American Rifleman articles sold by the National Rifle Association. A more comprehensive book is US M1 Carbines Wartime Production by Craig Riesch; it will allow you to identify all parts of your gun.
You may want to browse the M1 Carbine Forum at the Culver Shooting Page (www.jouster.com).
Neal0 -
Thanks, Neal!
Contrary to what you may have been told, "Green Jello is a Side Dish, NOT Dessert!"0 -
RancherolessPaul,
Neal gave you an xlnt site and good reference materials.
Unfortunately, the M1A1 was only manufactured by Inland. Possible that
your Winchester ended up in an original stock-during a re-build.
Check the back of the rivets. If they are not solid but are hollow,
a sure sign of a replica stock. Take care, Steve0 -
Hello Paul, The best book available on the subject of M1 Carbines is the two volume set "War Baby" and "War Baby Comes Home" by Larry Ruth, from Collector Grade Publications. This book is packed full of highly technical information which will surely put all but true technical junkies (I won't name any names) to sleep. A far more readable book is from Bruce Canfield which covers both the M1 Garand and M1 Carbine in one handy volume. Look for "The Collectors Guide to the M1 Garand and M1 Carbine" by Canfield, Andrew Mulbray Publishers. 101 Airborne gave you the correct info: There were no original M1A1 paratrooper carbines made by anyone other than Inland. You should also not have an adjustable rear sight or a bayonet mount on your Carbine. What is happening Paul...Getting tired of all those Colts? It sounds like your collection is branching out!
Mark T. Christian0 -
Mark:
I had a friend pass away last year around Christmas time. Not a real close friend, but a respected one. His widow has decided, (for reasons unknown to me because I'm ugly as hell), that I am the one to dispose of his collection, ammo, accessories, etc. First, she gave me all the ammo because she didn't want someone to be able to "load a gun and shoot it" in her house. She then called and wanted me to "appraise the collection." Lots of cheaper stuff, well used, but a nice sprinkling of different "interesting fun items." When I went there and appraised the guns best I could I made the mistake of saying I "always wanted an M-1.....especially a Winchester," more in passing and conversation other than in serious discussion. I now have that gun! Wouldn't take No for an answer so I said I would get some expert opinions from some other friends and give her the average of the prices I find for it........so, I am beginning to wonder what it is I am really about to buy!
Already got plenty of ammo for it so I guess I will test it out and play with it. To me, all guns are worth having......but it is difficult to find a place for them any more! Beginning to wish I had a "financial interest in a Safe Company...... and a Moving Company, and a Storage facility.......(Damned Guns, anyway)! Hahahahahaha!!!
Contrary to what you may have been told, "Green Jello is a Side Dish, NOT Dessert!"0 -
101airborne.....
Not completely "less" but almost. I've kept most of it for some time but it is slowly starting to reach the point that it will at least be gone by winter or sooner.......I hope!
Didn't have it in me to spend that much effort again and was cutting into my "Book Time." It, (the Book), should be ready next month.......I think!
Contrary to what you may have been told, "Green Jello is a Side Dish, NOT Dessert!"0 -
Chances are the carbine will not have all the same parts it was first issued with. When the new rotating mag catch and adjustable rear sight came out all carbines were updated. In Korea, all US Service M-1s became M2s. Additionally, by the nature of the way M1s and Carbines were group inspected it's improbable the rest of the parts are the originals. Since foreign services also used our small arms, it may be more likely to find US small arms in as-issued configuration coming from their arsenals. 0 -
Paul;
Check the saftey lever closely on this Winchester. See if it rotates 180 degrees with an extra detent at the 90 degrees. From what I've been reading in this thread, It is possible you are dealing with an M-2 carbine. I recently ran acroos one, they are nearly identicle to the M-1 carbines, except for the three position safety/selector lever. If it is on a para-trooper folding stock and has or shows signs of ever having the belled compensator it may well be an M-2,the selector is a dead give away. The one a ran on to was a standard stock, comp had been removed and was still stsmped "US CABINE M-1". After WWII a lot of M-1 carbines were reworked to M-2 configuration. I only became suspicious when I noticed the three position saftey/seletor. As you might imagine this presents a number of problems. The Feds tend to be a little touchy about un-registered firearms of this type. The best solution was to re-configure it to semi-auto. A lot less paper work. Just a thought, M-2's turn up from time to time, bring backs, sent homes, It was my dad's, grandpa's, etc. BTW, the NRA's assembly manual #2 has complete instructions and an exploded view for the M-1 carbine. The average price on a Winchester M-1 in my area, in good servicable condition is around $450 to $550. If it turns out to be an M-2, thats another matter entirely.
Kill all the lawyers and the world will be much better for it.0 -
Thanks, everyone!
Contrary to what you may have been told, "Green Jello is a Side Dish, NOT Dessert!"0
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