Auto Ordnance M1 Carbine

[WestTex]

What can ya'll tell me about these rifles.
What kind of reputation do they have?
Are they any good?
do they shoot well?
and anything else you can think of......
Thanks

[MrJitters]

They are overpriced. They retail around 700 bucks. Too much for a commercial carbine.

Reputation is mixed. The May issue of Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement magazine thinks they are the greatest. Most carbine owners and collectors, including myself, think they are at best a niche product specifically for the person who needs a shiney new carbine with no regard for history or collectors value.

I have heard they shoot pretty well. The barrel is made by Green Mt. barrels and they make a nice one.

Are they any good? I've never owned one and never will.

[oldjarhead]

Ditto.
I've seen them selling, well being offered, at $799...way much when I can get a classy little guy with alot of history from CMP for $300 cheaper.
I've talked to several owners and they seem to like them and they claim to shoot well.
Yep, reviews are mixed for the most part.

[jimb2]

The early ones had a few problems, but from what I hear, they have most of them ironed out now.

[rice paddy dadd]

I have one, and it's got feeding problems. Cannot fire 2 in a row. Only way to reach customer service is by e-mail and hope they reply before you die of old age.
I have one for sale if anyone is interested.
Seriously, don't waste your money. A buddy has an Auto Ordnance 1911 and it has issues also.
It does have georgeous wood, though.

[WestTex]

CMP is probably the way to go, but I'm just getting back into this (shooting) after years of absence. I have to meet all the requirements (CMP) first, so I hope they will have some left in three or four months.
Thanks for all the advice.

[rcbuck]

I have both. I shoot the Auto Ordinance and admire my Inland. The Inland is a beautiful '44 and I fired it only once after getting it from CMP and hung it up for posterity. I had to send the AO back to the factory for a minor ejection problem, and while they were a bit slow I got back a fantastic shooter, thanks I guess because of some personal attention by their armorer. The rifle to me is worth the nearly $700 I paid for it because I can shoot a carbine while preserving some history. Also, I had complained to Auto Ordinance about the crappy new made mag that came with their carbine and they sent me two excellent GI's, which is a marvel because of their location in the Socialist Republic of Massachusetts. Not that they sent them, but they actually touched a 15 rounder in that Kennedy, Kerry anti everything world.

[nathangdad]

The M1 carbine is a niche product for those who enjoy guns of the WW2
period. In a practical sense it does not have the best of cartridges for
combat, personal defense, or target work. Personally, I think $700.00 could go for a more useful, accurate gun in a better caliber. But, if WW2 is your thing, a new gun operating correctly just might bring a lot of happiness. I have been told by others AO got off to a rough start buying parts from a large number of suppliers but things are getting dramatically
better in the quality control area.

[wbw2]

I traded for one (ap. $600)

I like it, it shoots great, it will put an entire magazine into a 3" circle at 50 yds. I have not had one problem yet, but I have only shot maybe 200-250 rds through it.

I didn't buy it for any purpose, just to have and shoot, I collect ww2 guns and wanted something new to go with my new M1 garand I purchased a few years ago when springfield made that special run of .30-06's and .308's.

[Orlando]

Just from what I have read on other gun forums , their customer service is nonexistant so when you have a problem you are screwed

[MrJitters]

Originally Posted by WestTex

CMP is probably the way to go, but I'm just getting back into this (shooting) after years of absence. I have to meet all the requirements (CMP) first, so I hope they will have some left in three or four months.
Thanks for all the advice.

They will have some left. The easiest way to meet the requirements, if you are NOT already a member of a shooting club and have met the proficientcy requirements, is to join the Garand Collectors Association (GCA) to fulfill club membership and apply for and receive your 03 FFL C&R Curious & Relics license. This will fulfill your shooting requirement. Or, if you live in a state that requires a concealed carry permit and most do(Except Vermont & Alaska) that will do. I live in Vermont so I need no carry permit so I use the C&R. GCA membership $25 bucks a year, C&R license $30 bucks for 3 years. Both well worth the money.

Oh, by the way, if you are 60 and over you only need club membership.

Go to Home, click on the M1 Downloads tab, CMP.pdf and dowload the instructions and forms. Good Luck.

[WestTex]

Originally Posted by MrJitters

They will have some left. The easiest way to meet the requirements, if you are NOT already a member of a shooting club and have met the proficientcy requirements, is to join the Garand Collectors Association (GCA) to fulfill club membership and apply for and receive your 03 FFL C&R Curious & Relics license. This will fulfill your shooting requirement. Or, if you live in a state that requires a concealed carry permit and most do(Except Vermont & Alaska) that will do. I live in Vermont so I need no carry permit so I use the C&R. GCA membership $25 bucks a year, C&R license $30 bucks for 3 years. Both well worth the money.

Oh, by the way, if you are 60 and over you only need club membership.

Go to Home, click on the M1 Downloads tab, CMP.pdf and dowload the instructions and forms. Good Luck.

Thanks MrJitters.... and all.... I appreciate all the good advice
by the way..It will be a few years before the 60th Birthday Party