Show us your Guns!

[MPicciotto]

Which is weird because there aren't a lot of forests in Afghanistan.

So I thought too but I read somewhere that it's especially effective at night. Or at least for it's cost compared to the high tech licensed stuff nowadays it's quite effective at night.

Matt

 

[Canadian]

I would imagine a lot of that Afghan woodland camo came off a dead Russian. Or was castoff of the American army. I wear woodland BDUs when I go hunting (that is on foot, with a rifle or shotgun and am in pursuit of wild game).

That said, I'm always on the lookout for a SMLE. I fell in love with it, chambered in 303British, as an Army Cadet. I've seen some sporterized versions, and my niece (a 14yo girl) of all people has her grandfather's SMLE. It doesn't even have a proper sling, rather an old belt.

Tom

 

[The Inspector]

Mine. .45 LC

O_O sweet mother of Smith...

 

[Oldsarge]

Yes. The Ultimate S&W, isn't it?

 

[rjb1]

Concerning woodland camo in non-wooded areas, some years ago when the urban street fighting in Lebanon was going on, a standup comic had as part of his routine a nice bit of satire about the choice of camo outfits there.
After commenting on the lack of trees in downtown Beirut, he said that he thought that having a suit with the grille of a Mercedes painted on it would be better camouflage. "Just step in front of a car, and stand still..."

 

[The Inspector]

Indeed! I would love to have mine engraved one day!

 

[MikePotts]

W.W.J.B.D.?

http://51297323.domainhost.com/JellyBryce/index.html

 

[Story]

Which is weird because there aren't a lot of forests in Afghanistan.

Oh?
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/twn_up_fls/Afghan.forest.trees-thumb-500x326.jpeg

BDUs supplied to the Afghani Army are US surplus. Beats DRMO'ing them.

So I thought too but I read somewhere that it's especially effective at night.
Matt

When the ACUs first came out, I was still wearing BDUs. A column of guys came through where I was in the woods and stood out like walking lighthouses. Everyone wearing BDUs blended into the shadows.

 

[gtdean48]

Here is my S&W Model 39 (no dash) manufactured in 1966.

So sorry so late, but SWEET 39 Mike!

 

[David Conwill]

I finally got around to picking up my dad’s gun collection from my mom the other day. I have yet to divvy up things with my brother, but since there are three M1 Carbines in the collection, it’s a safe bet I’ll end up with one. Two are too rare to shoot (Winchester-made M1A1 and a Quality Hardware), but the third (Underwood) has been well loved and I would feel comfortable taking it to the range. Unfortunately, the USGI stock is long gone and a somewhat hokey sporting stock was fitted. What’s the best source for a repo stock. I hesitate to buy an original without being able to look it over. Any fitment issues if I do go with an original? I’m only just learning the “high wood”, “low wood”, “oval cutout”, etcetera variations.

 

[rjb1]

if they have any good gun shows in your area, go there for a carbine stock. Around here there are always carbine stocks for sale. Rare versions are high, but post-WWII M2-style stocks are cheap. They lack authenticity for a WWII collector/restorer, but that's why they are cheap. They are perfectly fine for just shooting, maybe better than the WWII types since the post-war ones were made a bit bigger and stronger. They are also authentic in their own way, since most were put on at Gov't arsenals as the carbines were rebuilt after WWII.
If it's a GI stock it should fit perfectly from the word go. if you do decide to get an authentic WWII stock it will fit fine, also, but will cost a lot more.
And I wouldn't worry about hurting them by shooting them, these days you probably couldn't afford (or even find) enough ammunition to hurt a GI carbine. Ammo shortages...

 

[The Inspector]

if they have any good gun shows in your area, go there for a carbine stock. Around here there are always carbine stocks for sale. Rare versions are high, but post-WWII M2-style stocks are cheap. They lack authenticity for a WWII collector/restorer, but that's why they are cheap. They are perfectly fine for just shooting, maybe better than the WWII types since the post-war ones were made a bit bigger and stronger. They are also authentic in their own way, since most were put on at Gov't arsenals as the carbines were rebuilt after WWII.
If it's a GI stock it should fit perfectly from the word go. if you do decide to get an authentic WWII stock it will fit fine, also, but will cost a lot more.
And I wouldn't worry about hurting them by shooting them, these days you probably couldn't afford (or even find) enough ammunition to hurt a GI carbine. Ammo shortages...

I went into the gun store today and found that they didn't(and its a big store) have a single 44mag or special box in the store, and haven't for a while. I hope this gun control nonsense is put away fast as I cant buy my gun its proper nutrition!

 

[The Inspector]

Happy valentines day!

 

[Landman]

So sorry so late, but SWEET 39 Mike!

Thanks Tom. I found that one at a gun show a few years ago. Looked like it had never been shot. The slide has that beautiful blueing of the old S&W's. Of course the frame is aluminum but looks good too.

 

[Landman]

I finally got around to picking up my dad’s gun collection from my mom the other day. I have yet to divvy up things with my brother, but since there are three M1 Carbines in the collection, it’s a safe bet I’ll end up with one. Two are too rare to shoot (Winchester-made M1A1 and a Quality Hardware), but the third (Underwood) has been well loved and I would feel comfortable taking it to the range. Unfortunately, the USGI stock is long gone and a somewhat hokey sporting stock was fitted. What’s the best source for a repo stock. I hesitate to buy an original without being able to look it over. Any fitment issues if I do go with an original? I’m only just learning the “high wood”, “low wood”, “oval cutout”, etcetera variations.

You might want to try the CMP. They used to carry a very nice reproduction stock for the M1 Carbine and the M1 Garand. If they don't sell them anymore then a gun show is probably your best bet. I have a few old stocks and might sell one but can't remember what they are. If you are interested you can PM me and I'll get them out and see what I have.

Also, I don't believe that M1A1 stock would be original to the Winchester. If I remember correctly all M1A1's were Inlands. However, if that stock is a true WWII vintage M1A1 stock those things are worth a ton of money.

 

[pompier]

M1 & M2 stocks

Whatacountry.com lists M1 and M2 stocks and handguards. Other parts as well. There are still lots of sources out there for original as well as repro parts. Let's face it, back then America could make things and we made millions of carbines. Handy little weapon.

 

[David Conwill]

Also, I don't believe that M1A1 stock would be original to the Winchester. If I remember correctly all M1A1's were Inlands. However, if that stock is a true WWII vintage M1A1 stock those things are worth a ton of money.

Well, that’s interesting. I haven’t un-mummified the M1A1 and all that is marked on the package is “M1A1" in contrast with the Quality Hardware gun which is likewise mummified but clearly marked for the maker.

Am I correct in my recollection that a Winchester Carbine is nonetheless fairly collectible in its own right? Also, how would I confirm whether the M1A1 stock was WWII? I think Dad owned the gun since the 1970s - was anyone reproducing the M1A1 stock back then?

Thanks everyone for the responses regarding the stocks. I was thinking CMP, but I thought I'd get other opinions. I believe there's a decent gun show in Birch Run, although I don't relish the idea of attending one in the current political climate.

 

[MikePotts]

There's one or two stocks here!

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=m570.l3201&_nkw=m1+carbine+stock&_sacat=0

 

[Landman]

Am I correct in my recollection that a Winchester Carbine is nonetheless fairly collectible in its own right? Also, how would I confirm whether the M1A1 stock was WWII? I think Dad owned the gun since the 1970s - was anyone reproducing the M1A1 stock back then?

Yes, Winchesters are definitely highly collectable. The Rockola and a true M1A1 is probably the most sought after because fewer of those were made. More Inlands were made than any another manufacturer. They are all highly collectable though.

I did go back and look in some of my books and all original M1A1's were made by Inland. However, it was not uncommon to change out parts and stocks once they were issued. In fact, it is probably impossible to find a 100% original M1 Carbine unless someone has one that came right off the assembly line. The manufacturers shared parts so it was not uncommon to find one manufacturer's part in another manufacturer's carbine. So without knowing when that part was put in there then you have no way of knowing if it was original.

With regards to the M1A1 stock it is hard to described how to tell the difference but if you can find a picture of a real one you will be able to see some subtle differences in how the wood was shaped. It will also have some cartouches on it. There are some very good reproductions out there but I'm not sure when they started making them. I'm not positive but I don't think the government ever used any replacement M1A1 stocks so an original would be WWII vintage.

This website has a lot of good info on the M1 Carbine.

http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/rifles.html

 

[Landman]

Here is a link to some pictures I found on the internet of an original M1A1 Carbine.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/off-topic/2787795-gun-porn-m1a1-carbine.html