M1/M2 Questions

[komodoj]

Starting to get into M1/M2’s. I see a lot of reference books mentioned but what do you guys recommend as best overall reference and learning book? Maybe the max of 2 books. Also I see it’s recommended  to replace all non usgi parts with usgi parts to ensure proper function. Where do you guys recommend the best place or places to get “Real” USGI parts. Thank you in advance. 

[APEXgunparts]

APEX Gun Parts has quite a few listings for USGI carbine parts.
The post war manufactured or commercial parts are identified as such or by the maker (like Plainfield or Universal)

M1 / M2 Carbine parts category

Richard

[68coupe]

M1 Carbines, Wartime Production, by Craig Riesch (Author) has the nearest to complete description, numeration and detail of any book out there. It can be found at several sources, including Numrich and Amazon. It includes such things as development, production numbers, part variations, manufacturers and manufacturers stamps/codes on every part or accessory available. Of course one should buy the Technical Manual, Tech Order or whatever the Navy called it, that covers not only the M1, but the M2 and the M3. I have several, including one from '45 (I think) that only covers the M1 & M2. The M3 wasn't a thing yet. Another book is War Baby! The U.S. Caliber .30 Carbine, Vol 1, also available from several sources. Parts sources include Apex, as seen above, Numrich, Riverside Armory and many others. Gun shows can be a great source for both literature and GI parts/accessories.

V/R Karl, 68coupe

[komodoj]

16 minutes ago, 68coupe said:

M1 Carbines, Wartime Production, by Craig Riesch (Author) has the nearest to complete description, numeration and detail of any book out there. It can be found at several sources, including Numrich and Amazon. It includes such things as development, production numbers, part variations, manufacturers and manufacturers stamps/codes on every part or accessory available. Of course one should buy the Technical Manual, Tech Order or whatever the Navy called it, that covers not only the M1, but the M2 and the M3. I have several, including one from '45 (I think) that only covers the M1 & M2. The M3 wasn't a thing yet. Another book is War Baby! The U.S. Caliber .30 Carbine, Vol 1, also available from several sources. Parts sources include Apex, as seen above, Numrich, Riverside Armory and many others. Gun shows can be a great source for both literature and GI parts/accessories.

V/R Karl, 68coupe

This the book? Thank you. 
 

https://www.collectorbookstore.com/products/us-m1-carbines

[68coupe]

3 minutes ago, komodoj said:

This the book? Thank you. 
 

https://www.collectorbookstore.com/products/us-m1-carbines

That's the one!!! It has more details in it than anyone could possibly remember without a book.

Karl

[komodoj]

3 minutes ago, 68coupe said:

That's the one!!! It has more details in it than anyone could possibly remember without a book.

Karl

Also is it Riverbank Armory or Riverside. I couldn’t find a riverside? Thought I read somewhere that riverbank armory sells counterfeit’s?

 

http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/another-riverbank-armory-george-liakos-victim_topic6368.html

Edited June 28, 2024 by komodoj
Info found.

[68coupe]

You're right, it's Riverbank, not Riverside. I haven't heard, or read anything about counterfeit, but I sure know they're real proud of their stuff (just going by prices). I haven't bought an entire carbine from them, but have bought a few "correct" parts for my NPM. It was a true mix-master when I got it, but it ran like a well-oiled sewing machine. I got a new recoil plate, sear & trigger that are all "correct" for a NPM. The Inland barrel (correct, per the book) is dated '43, so I'm sure that it got all mixed up in a group cleaning party.

Karl

[Outsider]

I have a simple solution. Don't buy a repop carbine. Pay the money up front and buy a genuine USGI carbine. No hunting parts and goes up in value.

[komodoj]

24 minutes ago, Outsider said:

I have a simple solution. Don't buy a repop carbine. Pay the money up front and buy a genuine USGI carbine. No hunting parts and goes up in value.

Although ideal just not I the cards right now. 

[68coupe]

12 minutes ago, Outsider said:

I have a simple solution. Don't buy a repop carbine. Pay the money up front and buy a genuine USGI carbine. No hunting parts and goes up in value.

The very first firearm I owned, in my life, was a Universal Carbine, ca. 1980. I still have it. It runs well, but will not accept any GI parts, except perhaps mags, the rear sight & trigger spring. Not even a GI barrel band fits right. It wasn't too many years ago that I bought my National Postal Meter. To the best of my knowledge, no one is currently making carbines to GI spec. I could very well be wrong, but I don't think so. That would also mean that no one is currently making PARTS to GI spec, either. "The book" lists the carbines that are most rare and/or most desirable, and why. There are some that are rare, but not very desirable, and others that are desirable, but not very rare. There are some that are both, like the Rockola's. Sometimes the desireablity has something to do with reliability factors, so as a shooter, they suck, but as a collectable, they're great.

My advice, know what you are buying it for before you buy one.

V/R Karl

[komodoj]

4 minutes ago, 68coupe said:

The very first firearm I owned, in my life, was a Universal Carbine, ca. 1980. I still have it. It runs well, but will not accept any GI parts, except perhaps mags, the rear sight & trigger spring. Not even a GI barrel band fits right. It wasn't too many years ago that I bought my National Postal Meter. To the best of my knowledge, no one is currently making carbines to GI spec. I could very well be wrong, but I don't think so. That would also mean that no one is currently making PARTS to GI spec, either. "The book" lists the carbines that are most rare and/or most desirable, and why. There are some that are rare, but not very desirable, and others that are desirable, but not very rare. There are some that are both, like the Rockola's. Sometimes the desireablity has something to do with reliability factors, so as a shooter, they suck, but as a collectable, they're great.

My advice, know what you are buying it for before you buy one.

V/R Karl

Yeah what I’m looking at is a Plainfield. Super early model. Not the best choice but it’s fair in price and accepts all GI parts. 

[Outsider]

6 hours ago, komodoj said:

Yeah what I’m looking at is a Plainfield. Super early model. Not the best choice but it’s fair in price and accepts all GI parts. 

A carbine is a want not a need. Save your money and buy a good USGI shooter and don't have buyers remorse later. For full disclosure I have a early universal as well. Came from a friend of mine stupid cheap. It does shoot the way it is and I didn't have to do anything to it. I also have 4 USGI carbines and they are the ones I like to shoot when I go to the range.

Even the super early universals won't accept all gi parts. Unless the price is under $400 save your money.

[komodoj]

7 minutes ago, Outsider said:

A carbine is a want not a need. Save your money and buy a good USGI shooter and don't have buyers remorse later. For full disclosure I have a early universal as well. Came from a friend of mine stupid cheap. It does shoot the way it is and I didn't have to do anything to it. I also have 4 USGI carbines and they are the ones I like to shoot when I go to the range.

Even the super early universals won't accept all gi parts. Unless the price is under $400 save your money.

This is a FA M2 Marked Plainfield. Not semi. 

[APEXgunparts]

2 hours ago, komodoj said:

This is a FA M2 Marked Plainfield. Not semi. 

Interesting!
A local gent just showed me his M2 Plainfield carbine.
I noted a few differences as compared to a USGI gun.
He was inquiring as to its current market value.
I believe he was wanting to sell it and his Thompson's.
He had already spoken to the well known MG brokerages and was trying to get a sense of if their offers were fair.

Richard

[komodoj]

6 hours ago, APEXgunparts said:

Interesting!
A local gent just showed me his M2 Plainfield carbine.
I noted a few differences as compared to a USGI gun.
He was inquiring as to its current market value.
I believe he was wanting to sell it and his Thompson's.
He had already spoken to the well known MG brokerages and was trying to get a sense of if their offers were fair.

Richard

Weird, Two highly competent Gunsmiths said when I first get the gun is to ditch all the non usgi parts and install all usgi parts. Are you saying this Plainfield M2 won’t take usgi parts? 

[NFA amnesty]

Go with a USGI  carbine even if you have to wait to purchase.

[APEXgunparts]

14 hours ago, komodoj said:

Weird, Two highly competent Gunsmiths said when I first get the gun is to ditch all the non usgi parts and install all usgi parts. Are you saying this Plainfield M2 won’t take usgi parts? 

Actually you have me mixed up with the poster with the screen name of "Outsider"
APEX has some early Universal parts that are cast copies of the USGI parts.
On a related note, STURM-RUGER has always used lots of cast parts and frames in their guns.
Since 1963, Pine Tree Castings has been producing the finest quality investment castings

Richard

[komodoj]

8 hours ago, APEXgunparts said:

Actually you have me mixed up with the poster with the screen name of "Outsider"
APEX has some early Universal parts that are cast copies of the USGI parts.
On a related note, STURM-RUGER has always used lots of cast parts and frames in their guns.
Since 1963, Pine Tree Castings has been producing the finest quality investment castings

Richard

No I had the right person. I thought you were saying plainfields can’t use all Usgi parts that they had propietory parts. I mis read. 

[APEXgunparts]

3 hours ago, komodoj said:

No I had the right person. I thought you were saying plainfields can’t use all Usgi parts that they had propietory parts. I mis read. 

No worries.
I wasn't specific with my observations on the Plainfield M2 either.
It was just small details like philips head screws instead of slotted, hardwood stock not walnut, stamped steel handguard, stampings on buttplate was lines not cross hatched.
Nothing major.
On a related note I just got all fired up about the M2 parts we had sitting in the warehouse because I too am in the process of purchasing a M2 carbine.
I passed over 2 of them years ago, so spent a bit more now.

Richard

[Outsider]

On 6/28/2024 at 6:02 AM, komodoj said:

This is a FA M2 Marked Plainfield. Not semi. 

Sorry, didn't realize it was a M2. A friend of mine had a M2 Plainfield and he had to do some work to get it to run right.

[komodoj]

18 hours ago, Outsider said:

Sorry, didn't realize it was a M2. A friend of mine had a M2 Plainfield and he had to do some work to get it to run right.

That’s what I’ve said in my above many replies. It was suggested by probably the top two regarded Gunsmiths out there( Andrewski and Naess) to replace all the parts with usgi parts and it should run 100%! Apex seems to have all the parts I need except a Usgi Round bolt. Those seem to be becoming a little hard to find. 

[68coupe]

1 hour ago, komodoj said:

That’s what I’ve said in my above many replies. It was suggested by probably the top two regarded Gunsmiths out there( Andrewski and Naess) to replace all the parts with usgi parts and it should run 100%! Apex seems to have all the parts I need except a Usgi Round bolt. Those seem to be becoming a little hard to find. 

Quick look on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326099524373?itmmeta=01J1NFGEA1RC3PY1T18JKVKTMV&hash=item4bed0bdb15:g:4RsAAOSwU5VmJoeY&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwFN9r2Mb2SdaPWwqre4Bs5uVUeXzorU%2F%2BjjgPbc5ZUp0lgIBzcGGqQrY7n0Rt3Ul%2B8UShzo3wDDwcVSJ8HiHZGVHCXZAGE%2BNTjGI%2BWodf5hY2EHUx53%2F7eNfUsYVrKAAUnMOd0g67c3uCh%2FZ%2FeVRsSX2Bf2onO0mbpSa0BACdmD3PG%2BkR22PHuf%2FdI1djgDWL%2Bst9dKxf1cAcY8upZ3ELVxozz2rfqD2%2Fj%2BMCROh76OAsg7B0nBw29lKvUa4hdWEAA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4zlwa-NZA

A bolt parts kit averages 50 bux.

Hope I've helped out. Karl, 68coupe

[komodoj]

10 minutes ago, 68coupe said:

Quick look on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/326099524373?itmmeta=01J1NFGEA1RC3PY1T18JKVKTMV&hash=item4bed0bdb15:g:4RsAAOSwU5VmJoeY&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwFN9r2Mb2SdaPWwqre4Bs5uVUeXzorU%2F%2BjjgPbc5ZUp0lgIBzcGGqQrY7n0Rt3Ul%2B8UShzo3wDDwcVSJ8HiHZGVHCXZAGE%2BNTjGI%2BWodf5hY2EHUx53%2F7eNfUsYVrKAAUnMOd0g67c3uCh%2FZ%2FeVRsSX2Bf2onO0mbpSa0BACdmD3PG%2BkR22PHuf%2FdI1djgDWL%2Bst9dKxf1cAcY8upZ3ELVxozz2rfqD2%2Fj%2BMCROh76OAsg7B0nBw29lKvUa4hdWEAA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR4zlwa-NZA

A bolt parts kit averages 50 bux.

Hope I've helped out. Karl, 68coupe

I’ve seen those but there post, commercial. Don’t think there USGI.