M1 Carbine Restoration

[308Jeff]

When I bought my M1 Carbine in 1990, it was a pretty sad specimen.

First time I shot it the slide jumped out of the receiver. Just plain worn out. Bought a new slide, bolt, and recoil spring and it was running good.

The stock was beat to heck and had import stamps all over it. I was young, and I sanded it all down and refinished it. Looked a little better, IMO, but I should have left it alone I reckon.

The rifle is a Standard Products. One of the less common models.

Been thinking about sending it off to have it restored for a while now. New barrel, new stock, have the whole think re-Parkerized. Want to have something pretty.

I know there are a couple of really good guys out there who do this kind of work. Just wondering if anyone has sent their Carbine or Garand out to have it restored?

[Outpost75]

Restoration will improve appearance, but not value. I would look for a replacement GI stock and leave the metal alone.

[jimb16]

Same here. That kind of restoration destroys much of the historic value. It will take a $900 carbine and turn it into a $500 carbine!

[seaboltm]

Well, I disagree, given the described condition. If it were a Winchester in as-issued condition that might be different. Carbines have been arsenal refinished and mismatched back together since Korea. Any competent Smith can Parkerize. Google parkerizing services. There are sources for new walnut stocks. Again, Google.

[Outpost75]

Rebarreling with non USGI barrel, metal refinishing, restocking with non USGI stock, you would not recover the cost of the work done on resale. You will spend $500 in fixing up a $500 gun and will still have a $500 gun...

[10-x]

Value in military weapons is originality, like it or not. Hate to say it but have seen $2000.+ K98 with SS runes sporterized just because the owner could. Stupid is as stupid does. Took a piece of history and made a $120 junker. Best to leave it alone. Replacing the stock with the same type in better condition is ok as long as GI.

[psweigle]

Leave the metal alone and put a nice usgi stock on it. Refinishing the metal will drop the value. Esarco.com had some in stock a while back, you could check there.

[308Jeff]

I should have posted a little more info.

The barrel on the rifle is done, just like the slide was. I've cleaned the heck out if it, but it patterns like a shotgun. It's getting a new barrel.

As far as value, it only has value to me. It's already a mix-master, and I'm never going to sell it. It belongs to whoever I hand it down to.

It's not going to get an aftermarket polymer folding stock, but a nice/very nice walnut one.

What I was asking is, has anyone used someone that they trust for M1 Carbine work? If not, I'll go with what Google tells me.

[captain-03]

It is your gun -- do as you please!!

[Dpmsman]

i have not personally had work done with them, but i believe Fulton Armory with do custom services. Mike Bellview did a Youtube video on a M1 carbine he sent to them. duelist1954 is his handle. Or search M1 carbine.

[rondog]

Warpath Vintage in Denver. Chuck specializes in military rifles. He refinished all the metal on my Garand and did a beautiful job. He also reblues the small parts that were originally blued, many guys just parkerize everything, which isn't correct. He does great work, he's real good at filling in holes so you can't tell they were there, even holes drilled through rollmarks or stampings. Google Warpath Vintage.

[psweigle]

I should have posted a little more info.

The barrel on the rifle is done, just like the slide was. I've cleaned the heck out if it, but it patterns like a shotgun. It's getting a new barrel.

As far as value, it only has value to me. It's already a mix-master, and I'm never going to sell it. It belongs to whoever I hand it down to.

It's not going to get an aftermarket polymer folding stock, but a nice/very nice walnut one.

What I was asking is, has anyone used someone that they trust for M1 Carbine work? If not, I'll go with what Google tells me.

Well, this changes everything, now don't it! May I suggest researching how to parkerize metal. The tear down tools really aren't that expensive and it's always more fun when you do things on your own. And if I had a mutt m1 with a good reciever, I would be thinking hard about doing a brown blushing like what is on the black powder guns, or even a real good regular blueing. The possibilities are endless. Wonder how many people will cringe at a nickel plated 30 m1 carbine?

[10-x]

Ok, with All the info it makes a world of difference. Check Gunparts, Sarco or just google. Shoot, have all the tools one needs to change a barrel, not that bad. As for being a mix master, most are since most were overhauled for Korea. Once in a blue moon an original can be found with either flip sight or early adjustable, And thin front barrel band, no bayonet lug. As psweigle mentioned a self done finish job is not hard nowdays. They make spray on parkerizing. Good luck and post a pic when finished .

[308Jeff]

Thanks, all!

[Scorpion8]

As far as value, it only has value to me.

That's the key here. Enjoy your rifle and fix it up how you want it.

[jimb16]

Don't change the barrel yet! It may not be as bad as you think! Try having the muzzle counter-bored! That is what the military did to restore accuracy on carbines with worn muzzles! Many times that brings accuracy back to original specs!

[Jack Stanley]

I've only had one carbine refinished and the work was done by DGR guns in Tennessee . He did excellent work on that one carbine and many other Garands and a couple of 1903's I sent . I can't say enough good about the work .

Jack

[308Jeff]

Thank you.

[lefty o]

I've only had one carbine refinished and the work was done by DGR guns in Tennessee . He did excellent work on that one carbine and many other Garands and a couple of 1903's I sent . I can't say enough good about the work .

Jack

as far as i know, dean has passed away a year or two ago.

[Jack Stanley]

Yes he did , but from what I understand the one that he trained for years is running the shop now .

Jack

[No Blue]

Don't change the barrel yet! It may not be as bad as you think! Try having the muzzle counter-bored! That is what the military did to restore accuracy on carbines with worn muzzles! Many times that brings accuracy back to original specs!

+1 Lots of peeps replaced the barrel and it was the muzzle! CMP tech forum has an article about throat wear and how most of the time machining the muzzle is the fix.

I can't find the CMP article, but try cutting the muzzle first.

[Shiloh]

The firearms I have stock refinished were in sad shaper to begin with.
When refinished, they ewre not done to make as new or museum pieces, just fix divots, bad dings, and dents. Arsenal stamps were left alone.
All were finished with a dozen coats of 50/50 real turpentine/organic BLO and two passes with Johnson's past wax.

A $150 military relic is not the same as Great-Great Grampa's, WWI war trophy Mauser that was in decent shape to begin with.
The Korean returns that look like they were drug on a gravel road will NEVER be collector grade to begin with. Have at it.

Shiloh

[Multigunner]

I've found that rubbing a walnut stock down with Balistol moistened patches can chemically age the surface of the wood bringing out figure that was not previously visible.
On two of my rifles I have not used any finish at all, just buffed with oooo steel wool to defur the wood then rubbing it down with balistol every time I clean the rifle. Which is not difficult since I end up getting the balistol all over my hands and the rifle anyway.

That's why I began using Balistol to begin with. Its the only strong solvent that's perfectly safe if contacting skin, and is even recommended as an emergency wound disinfectant. Its recommended for cleaning and protecting both wood and leather items.

[308Jeff]

Unfortunately, the stock on my carbine is birch. Big part of the reason I'm looking to replace it. A carbine just isn't that pretty without a walnut stock.

[Texas by God]

You gotta love the M1 Carbine- but only if it's accurate & reliable. Then make it pretty.
I have seen a chrome plated M1 in the hands of the resort guard at a place we stayed in Zijuatenejo, Mexico 20 yrs ago. Yes, I asked to handle it and was politely refused permiso.....
Best, Thomas.

[Multigunner]

I remember seeing chrome plated commercial M1 Carbines many years ago, I mainly remember these because they used a chromed steel ventilated hand guard. Stocks were nice as well.

A stainless steel carbine clone with synthetic stock would be a good thing to have around, though I'd want to Cerakote the metal in midnight blue. I like stainless for a rifle because it does not get rusty not because its shiny. A shiny handgun is not so bad since it would spend most of its time in the holster.

Seems to me that .30 carbine performance might be improved by using a copper alloy truncated cone hollow point of around 80 grains at a some what higher muzzle velocity.

In Finnland they developed a 7mm necked down carbine case for shooting large birds. Something like turkey hunting here.
They don't use these wildcat rounds in Carbines they built bolt action rifles chambered for this round.
Surplus once fired .30 carbine cases must have been dirt cheap around there at the time.

[308Jeff]

Found someone nearby who has a muzzle wear gauge. Going to go check it out on Sunday.

[Outpost75]

Useful expedient muzzle wear gage is a .30-'06 Ball M1, Ball M2 or APM2 cartridge.

Poke the bullet point of the '06 round into the carbine muzzle.

If there is 1/4" or more between the muzzle of the carbine and the case mouth of the '06 round, the muzzle is not worn out. It MUST be true, because my platoon sergeant told me so, and we all know platoon segeant is ALWAYS right!

[308Jeff]

Measured a 2 on the wear gauge. According to Fulton Armory, "2.0 is fair (.302 cal.). Proper re-crowning should make it serviceable."

I bought a bore light and took a look inside. The rifling is clearly visible and shiny, but it is poorly defined compared to a few of my other firearms I also took a look at. I had already intended to replace it, and this is enough for my brain to feel good about it. I'll hang on to the old one (Underwood, 9-43), of course.