.22 M1 Carbine ???

[mengelmar]

Anybody know anything about these?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=38541213

[Brickboy240]

The consensus from those in the know is that as far as M-1 Carbines go, you're better off with the real GI issued Carbine than any of the commercial clones. I have never owned one but know several that owned Plainfield and Ive Johnson Carbine clones and had lots of jamming problems.

(you know that as I write this, someone is responding that their IJ Carbine has been trouble free...whatever...we can only go by our own expereinces)

However, if you really want a 22lr with the M-1 Carbine feel, Marlin DID make some M-1 Carbine 22 semi-autos with the Model 60 innards that looked like the M-1 Carbine and we all know the Marlin Mod. 60 22 rifle is a reliable trusty beast.

This has been my experience...buyer beware on any M-1 Carbines that are not original GI. The price of good condition GI M-1 Carbines astounds me, these days.

- Brickboy240

PS: I do own a 1943 Rock-ola M-1 Carbine that was a Korean War re-furb and it is a fun little shooter.

[mengelmar]

Brickboy-

I'm sure you're right on about sticking to GI M1s but I thought that maybe some of the feeding issues in the commercial copies would be less daunting in a .22. Especially given the close resemblence between the vaunted 10/22 action and the carbine...

I'd just never seen one in .22 before. If I had $400 to blow on a plinker of unknown reliability but lots of charisma than this would be the one!!!

[Brickboy240]

I have a friend that bought one of the Marlin 22 semi-auto M-1 Carbines for about 100 bucks form a pawn shop. Again, it is based on a Marlin Mod. 60 action and thats always been a great shooter.

Look around...you might find one for cheap!

- Brickboy240

[hobocircus]

I had one of those but sold it years ago. Made in West Germany by Erma Werke (imported by Iver Johnson), they are very nice shooters. The wood is very clean and well crafted. Fully adjustable sights made the .22 carbine extra accurate with open sights. You can also take the rear sight off and put on a .22 scope for more plinking fun. Only drawback is the the metal screws are not well tempered and you will probably have to replace the barrel band screw with a new one. I replaced mine the first week I had it. Not a serious problem really, I just found one in my parts drawer that fit.
Feeding can be a problem on these if you have a finicky magazine. I bought a extra magazine and I remember one didn't always feed correctly and the other one did. Extra mags and parts for this rifle is probably hard to come by.
A standard GI M-1 carbine sling works perfectly. The stock is cut out for the oiler and the sling loops up at the top like the original.
I really enjoyed mine but sold it to make room for other things in my safe. I will always remember that rifle, it was a good one.

Menglemar, I would pass on this one because it surely isn't worth $400+ I paid somewhere around $175 for mine (late 80s) and even then it was a bit overpriced. BUT if you do decide on winning the bid let me know, because I have a spare magazine for it and can make you a deal

Also the Marlin Model 99M-1 had a passing resemblance to the M-1 carbine, but was not nearly a exacting replica as this one. Made from 1966 to 1979, I would think they are even a much more rare bird to find in good working condition. I did see one at a nearby pawn shop, but the condition was poor and the price was too high.

[mengelmar]

Thanks hobo-

That's exactly the kind of first-hand knowledge for which I was looking. I will let it pass as you recommend. I don't have the spare change anyway, I'm trying to save for my CMP M1 Garand.

[hobocircus]

Your welcome, glad to assist.
You won't regret getting the M1, it's another one of those "must have" items.

You'll join us soon :P

[Brickboy240]

Yes, I will second the notion that the M-1 Carbine is flat out, one of the most fun military surplus rifles to shoot.

- Brickboy240