M1 .30 Carbine (update)

Thanks again for everyone's input. We made a deal so now I own it.

He was mistaken about the Saginaw stamp as it's actually stamped Inland and it has a highly sporterised stock that reminds me of something you would see in the old Herter's catalogs from the 70's. Anyone else remember Herter's?

It came with 15 round and 30 round mags, has an aftermarket peep sight and +/- 200 rounds of ammo and the can.
I shot a 15 round mag through it and I like it. I am really impressed by it's light weight.

Nice looking carbine sir. That is a sport stock on it sir.

They are a fun gun for sure. 4th gun I personally bought. Still have it. Wont part with mine. .

The Herter's catalog was a wonderful thing for boy in the sixties and early seventies to read.

Nice looking firearm. I like my military guns stock, but I can appreciate a well cared for sporter. At least the M1 Carbine typically doesn't have the barrel cut to sporterize them, so if you wanted, you could get a second stock.

Nice looking stock. Will you be looking for a military stock though? Just because it's a piece of history I think I would like to be able to put it back to original even if I used the sporter stock most of the time. If so check with SARCO, they have a LOT of surplus military gun parts.

Don't think I've ever seen a thumbhole stock on one of these before, might make for better results while shooting. Inland like other WWII manufacturers is a desirable manufacturer of these, you'd have to check all the parts to see some of it's history, many went back through the armorer at some point. These have always been a great recreational/target-plinking rifle, as well as some kinds of hunting. I do know of someone that did hunt whitetail with an M1 Carbine successfully, though that has to be done very carefully, and is why I'd prefer a different rifle caliber for the purpose.

I'm wondering if the 15 round magazine in the photo is stainless steel, by chance it could be an Iver-Johnson mag, it may have their logo on the bottom plate if it is S.S. or maybe the blueing is worn off. You can find NOS mil spec 15 round mags, used to see cases of them, NOS in the not so distant past. I kind of like the 15 better, + for a military stock, you can get the mag pouch that fits on the stock, plus they even had a scabbard/holster for these. Military rifles were always fun because of all the accessories they had for them. Sounds like a good shooter, hopefully no feeding problems.

The M1 makes a decent woods rifle (100 yds or less) for deer as long as you don't use GI ammo. You must reload or buy ammo with soft-point/expanding bullets. If you reload, experimenting with bullet weight and overall length will let you get the most out of your rifle. The rifle's design doesn't allow for much variation with these variables but small changes can have a measurable effect.

Herter's from Waseca MN: the Cabela's/Bass Pro Shop of its day. I'd wait for the catalog and then read it like a book, then read it again. I remember ordering wads and shot cups for my 20 gauge, a rifle stock refinishing kit and a knee-length, down parka. Even in Iowan and Minnesotan winters, the parka was too warm to wear during any activity! Maybe for sitting on a bucket while ice-fishing in sub-zero weather but I never got involved in that. My parents got his cook books - "Bull Cook and Authentic Historical Recipes and Practices" by George Leonard Herter and Berthe E. Herter, Volumes I, II and III - I have them now. George Herter was an over-the-top salesman. Everything he sold was "World Famous". I don't think he ever said what he was selling was the best in the world, just that it was "World Famous".

I'm glad you got it and are happy with it, but that stock...it's like looking at a train wreck to me. Sorry to be so honest but, that's just me. I'm sure you'd be much happier with it with a regular military stock.

Very good looking carbine. If I owned one like that, I'd be scrambling to get an original style stock on it, regardless of any advantages the sporterized stock might offer.

When I started reloading in the mid-60's I bought dies and primers and a case of Hercules (now Aliant) 2400 powder from Herter's. I didn't find the 2400 to be especially versatile beyond reloading for a few magnum pistols, so I've still got a few pounds of it, in well sealed containers, fortunately. More recently, I tried to find a different use for it, but I didn't, really. One thing I learned is that it's not what I'd call good judgement to stray too far from proven loads. Specifically, I'd advise against trying to develop a mild target load with that powder. It crosses a line sooner than you might expect. No dogs or children were hurt, however.

Stan

I've bought and sold a few M1 carbines over the years but I've never seen a stock like that one. It would be interesting to know who made it. The M1 was a great little rifle as long as you knew it's limitations, I still have a AMT hand gun chambered in 30 carbine although I haven't shot it in years and the last time I saw it it was in my brothers gun safe. With Military surplus ammo it would spit fire out the end of the barrel a good 2 feet. I think Ruger also made a single action revolver chambered in 30 carbine. Nice find as far as I'm concerned and if I had ran across it I would have done my best to own it!

Well, I'm on the fence about what to do with it. The numbers on the receiver put it as a build date in the first quarter of 1945, so it's a legit era gun.

The barrel numbers are partially covered by the stock so I'll have to break it down to confirm those.
I know it looks kinda hideous but it really feels more comfortable than it looks to shoot! LOL

If the barrel numbers check out I may have to find an appropriate stock,rear sight,barrel band,sling and who knows what else to try and make it right again. This is as bad as restoring a tractor!

> When I started reloading in the mid-60's I bought dies and primers and a case of Hercules (now Aliant) 2400 powder from Herter's. I didn't find the 2400 to be especially versatile beyond reloading for a few magnum pistols, so I've still got a few pounds of it, in well sealed containers, fortunately. More recently, I tried to find a different use for it, but I didn't, really. One thing I learned is that it's not what I'd call good judgement to stray too far from proven loads. Specifically, I'd advise against trying to develop a mild target load with that powder. It crosses a line sooner than you might expect. No dogs or children were hurt, however.

Stan, if I recall correctly, 2400 was originally intended for the .22 Hornet, and the name "2400" came from the claimed muzzle velocity it would achieve in the Hornet. It's often used in magnum handgun loads, and I've used it in .357 Magnum. I had some outdated load info that caused me to make some loads that were way too hot for my Python, so anyone using it should be real careful to use current load data. I, too, have a lot of it on hand for the simple reason that I don't enjoy shooting magnum loads as much as I did when I was younger. And as you say, it's totally inappropriate for light pistol loads as it's a fairly slow powder that needs to be loaded to a fairly high pressure to work well.

THE powder for .30 Carbine is H110. H110 was in fact originally repackaged surplus .30 Carbine powder sold by Hodgdon. Now it's new factory canister powder, of course. Hodgdon sells the identical powder in a different package as Winchester 296. Like 2400, H110/296 should not be used in light loads.

I don't know if you came up with a light load you were happy with, but I've found several Hodgdon powders that work well for me. <a href="https://hodgdon.com/universal/">Universal</a> is similar to Unique; I use it in .38 Special standard velocity 158 grain loads. <a href="https://hodgdon.com/clays/">Clays</a> is similar to Bullseye; I use it in my .38 Special 148 grain wadcutter loads. And <a href="https://hodgdon.com/trail-boss/">Trail Boss</a> is a very interesting bulky powder intended specifically for replicating black powder loads; I use it in .45 Colt.

2400 is very versatile within it's pressure curve. IOW- it works great in a variety of chamberings within it's limits. Trying to make it work like a slower burning powder is where people get into trouble.

I think that's a beautiful stock!

(quoted from post at 16:59:59 08/02/20) I think that's a beautiful stock!

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How many M1 Carbines do you own?

It's just not the ideal stock for an iconic rifle like the M1 Carbine. The M1 Carbine just doesn't need any changes. It's a classic.

This pic says it all.

I did my boot camp Sharpsh00ter qualification with one of those. Nice for the intended purpose.

I had one of those Rugers back in the day. Had to have a double set of earplugs and a pair of muffs to shoot it, (exageration) but that sucker was LOUD.

(quoted from post at 19:26:31 08/04/20) I had one of those Rugers back in the day. Had to have a double set of earplugs and a pair of muffs to shoot it, (exageration) but that sucker was LOUD.

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I've never had one but I'd like to own one. I've also heard that it will quickly get everyone's attention at an indoor range !

Ruger still lists the 30 carbine Blackhawk on their website for $669.

This is the Inland Carbine that my Dad bought in the late 50s for $30.00 . He took the military stock off and put this Bishop ( remember those )semi- finished stock on it after I finished it . I don't have the stock he took off but I have two others if I ever decide to go back to military.

That's a beauty!!