Questions about converting M1 Carbine to non-restricted

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stickhunter

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Hey all,

I have an IBM M1 Carbine that I'd like to be able to use more often with my young son, who's very fond of WWII history. Unfortunately, he's not particularly fond of the shooting range, particularly the loud noise/concussion from nearby shooters. I've been thinking about having my M1 Carbine rebarrelled and converted to non-restricted so we can take it with us to the woods, where we much prefer shooting together.

I looked into this when I got my first M1 about 10 years ago, and Dave Jennings was mentioned as a gunsmith who could do a rebarrel or install and finish an extended liner. Are there any other gunsmiths worth contacting?

I imagine the availability of NR M1 Carbine barrels in Canada isn't great --- for those who have done the conversion recently, did you import your barrel from the US (e.g. I remember Criterion had a run many years back) or were you able to source a local supplier?

Lastly, I'm still sitting on the fence as I'd like to avoid permanently altering/destroying parts on my M1 Carbine. Is it realistic to hope that the original barrel can be removed and potentially re-installed in the future, or is the original barrel likely to be damaged or no longer properly headspace when reinstalled?

Thanks for any advice/pointers you can provide!
 
For Non Restricted barrels, there were Criterion and some from Century Arms (which were unmarked) as well as the citadel barrels that Tradex was peddling when they were still in business. All are gone, and I don't know of anyone is importing any. The job can still be accomplished using part of the original barrel (from breech forward to the gas block), and mating a new turned and chambered barrel blank of the correct length. Or the entire barrel minus the gas block, can be machined from a barrel blank, and the gas block pressed on and swaged in place.

Then the process of de-registering starts...upon conclusion, and it becomes de-registered, you are done. Properly removing the original barrel won't destroy it, and yes it could be re-installed, but why would you want to create a restricted firearm again after spending all that time, energy, and money getting it de-registered.

If you're still on the fence, just look for an already NR carbine to purchase. Keep in mind that NR carbines usually sell for more as they are more desirable.
 
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For conversion today there are 3 current routes I know of:

1) import a barrel from one of the importers stocking criterion barrels and have a gunsmith install and finish chamber it. Cheapest option I know of but importing takes about 3 months.

2) buy from a Canadian dealer stocking barrels. More expensive than option 1, but you get it right away. A quick google will highlight the one stocking dealer I could find.

3) pay someone like Vulcan to convert your current barrel. They will machine the back end off your barrel, hollow it, and reattach it to a surplus chunk of m1903 Springfield barrel. Not sure if cost, but I suspect more money than the above options as it’s a lot of machining work.

Another option is to look for a modern made NR carbine from someone like auto ordnance or look for only already converted.

In terms of cost, expect the barrel to cost around $500-650, installing and head spacing maybe another 200. If you want the gun refinished to all match in color, expect another 300-700 depending on who you use and what finish you want.
 
Finding a nr carbine or a replacement barrel may be catch as catch can.
There is also the consideration that a rebarreled carbine will be less collectable than an unaltered one.
And then there is the unknown future respecting any semi auto centerfire that uses detachable magazines...
 
Contact Nick from Vulcan Gun Refinishing in Maidstone Ont. He can answer all your questions.
He is the Canadian supplier of Criterion barrels. He has re-barreled MANY M1 Carbines to NR status including two for myself. It is an easy process and not crazy expensive.
 
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According to Criterion's website, US retail for an 18" barrel is pushing US$340. Didn't see a listing for a Canadian length barrel, but delivered cost is going to be north of $500.
Using a pull reamer to set headspace is convenient and fast, but there is still going to be a cost.
 
I had one rebarreled about a decade ago... perhaps longer, might be closer to 2 decades

it cost me $300 back then for the rebarrel, the M1 carbine I bought for $350

I see like everything prices have continued to climb

I suspect that finding and buying a NR M1 would be your easiest option
 
Nick doesn’t use criterion anymore unless customer supplied. He builds the barrels now by grafting a .30 blank to a GI carbine stub.
 
woodchopper said:
I had one rebarreled about a decade ago... perhaps longer, might be closer to 2 decades

it cost me $300 back then for the rebarrel, the M1 carbine I bought for $350

I see like everything prices have continued to climb

I suspect that finding and buying a NR M1 would be your easiest option
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I had one of the most recent AO guns and still had to buy a complete trigger housing to get the damn thing to fire 5 rounds in a row without some sort of malfunction. Buying NR can also be a gamble.
 
Thanks very much for the heads up and responses. It's hard to say with future firearms legislation if getting an M1 Carbine off the books is worth the expense --- for some it could be priceless, for others it could be a waste of money if they can no longer be used as NRs.

Time/luck notwithstanding, finding an existing NR is likely the most economical route, but it's good to know that non-destructive rebarrelling is an option. I'll give Nick a call to find out if he has spar stubs or needs to salvage the existing barrel's.

I'm in IT, so there's a kitsch to having an IBM M1... if I can let that go of that attachment, maybe trading for an NR M1 is a route I can take.

Thanks for all the advice --- now to start the search in earnest!
 
stickhunter said:
Thanks very much for the heads up and responses. It's hard to say with future firearms legislation if getting an M1 Carbine off the books is worth the expense --- for some it could be priceless, for others it could be a waste of money if they can no longer be used as NRs.

Time/luck notwithstanding, finding an existing NR is likely the most economical route, but it's good to know that non-destructive rebarrelling is an option. I'll give Nick a call to find out if he has spar stubs or needs to salvage the existing barrel's.

I'm in IT, so there's a kitsch to having an IBM M1... if I can let that go of that attachment, maybe trading for an NR M1 is a route I can take.

Thanks for all the advice --- now to start the search in earnest!
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It's even cooler to own a Rock-Ola Carbine produced by the jukebox makers in Chicago. There's even a Canadian connection; David Rockola was born in Virden, MB and went on to bigger things in the US.
 
purple said:
It's even cooler to own a Rock-Ola Carbine produced by the jukebox makers in Chicago. There's even a Canadian connection; David Rockola was born in Virden, MB and went on to bigger things in the US.
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James River Armoury did a run of non restricted m1 carbines - rock-ola marked as they own that trademark now. Absolutely beautiful clones. IRG brought in a run of these years ago. Still have mine
 
I'm in a bit of a quandry about doing the same thing. My Carbine is a Howa, made for the Royal Thai Police. They're fairly uncommon, and while I don't want to destroy the history of the gun, it doesn't do me a damned bit of good if it gets black face listed, those philistines will drop every gun they get their hands on into the furnace.
 
I had a WW2 carbine years ago that was made into a pump action by plugging the gas piston and drill and tap the op rod bottom for two long bolts to be screwed into.The bottom of the stock was morticed out and an u shaped wooden sleeve was fastened and used to work the bolt/op rod.Looked great and worked well.Wella,NR and ready The gun was sold and is still around here in Victoria and the FRT was changed to non restricted.No barrel change.Whew.
Dave G
 
rusty2011 said:
I had a WW2 carbine years ago that was made into a pump action by plugging the gas piston and drill and tap the op rod bottom for two long bolts to be screwed into.The bottom of the stock was morticed out and an u shaped wooden sleeve was fastened and used to work the bolt/op rod.Looked great and worked well.Wella,NR and ready The gun was sold and is still around here in Victoria and the FRT was changed to non restricted.No barrel change.Whew.
Dave G
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Was the carbine ever registered as restricted? It was reclassified from restricted to non-restricted? There is a FRT entry for a manually operated, non-restricted M-1 carbine? If this is the case, could a carbine not have its gas system deactivated and be reclassified because it is bolt action?
Universal made a pump action M-1 based carbine in .44 Mag.
 
Yes.At one time it was classified as restricted then changed to non restricted.And there is an entry in the FRT for that rifle.
Dave G
 
That is good to know. The M-1 was a specific target when the 18.5" rule came into effect. And being semi auto with detachable magazines it could be targeted again. But unless specifically named, manual conversion could be an option.
Something to consider - a stripped M-1 receiver... Is it semi or manual? Given there is a manual FRT entry, it would not automatically be classed as semi.
 
Very interesting info in this thread. My only hesitation in purchasing this rifle was the restricted status. Every time I see it in NR it gets snatched up in seconds or is priced well beyond affordability.
 
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