Iver Johnson M1 Carbine - The Firearms Forum

firebird8073 · 08-22-2012, 08:52 PM

Had a class with a young man tonight who brought an Iver M1 carbine, matte stainless finish with a black plastic folding stock. Got it from a relative who bought it some 30 years ago, apparently never fired. Does anyone have experience with this weapon? I couldn't figure out if it was reconditioned or a full-on repro. He didn't know too much about it. It was in perfect shape and functioned flawless until the magazine baseplate slid out of the bottom. We put it back together and it carried on without a hitch. Very accurate too. He was shooting 5 inch groups at 25 yards with the stock ghost rings. I've come across plenty of carbines, but none like this. Any insight on this carbine would be appreciated, take care guys.

firebird8073 · 08-22-2012, 09:00 PM

Well, I've done some research which I should've done before. Seems IJ made some repros in the 70's and this has got to be one. Value about $450-500.

Alpo · 08-22-2012, 09:02 PM

Iver used new-made receivers with GI parts to build their guns.

That might be chrome-plated or it might be nickel-plated, but I'm pretty darn sure it ain't stainless.

Bill DeShivs · 08-22-2012, 10:08 PM

IJ made a full stainless version of the M-1 carbine. They also made a full stainless version of the M-1 Enforcer pistol. I have one. Some of the small parts may be industrial chrome plated, but the great majority of the guns were stainless steel.

Alpo · 08-22-2012, 10:28 PM

And I had to wait all the way to 10:30 at night to learn something. Dang.

CHW2021 · 08-23-2012, 12:58 PM

After ww2 the M1 carbine was made by dozens of companies from (primarily) surplus parts. Iver Johnson eventually became the final manufacturer of carbines, they had outlasted or absorbed all other manufacturers. In the 60's they used all new parts, no real quantity of surplus was left. Included in the companies holdings were Plainfield mfg. and others that used non-milspec parts or receivers of their own "improved " design. Some worked better than others; Iver Johnson began to make guns out of stainless to attract new buyers as stainless guns were "new" on the market then and the M-1 was still wildly popular. Also offered were "coated" finish guns and chamberings other than 30 carbine with folding stock options and even the enforcer pistol.
Since the above mentioned gun works/cycles well, it is apparent that you have whatever ammo it will work well with; some guns had a poor reputation due to (probably) inconsistant ammo.

Sounds like a keeper, have fun.

savage170 · 08-23-2012, 02:22 PM

Bought this one about 20 years ago I think for around 75.00 I hate to guess how many rounds have been thru it. Was my kids favorite to shoot as they was growing up.

08-22-2012, 08:52 PM	#1
firebird8073 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 11	Iver Johnson M1 Carbine Had a class with a young man tonight who brought an Iver M1 carbine, matte stainless finish with a black plastic folding stock. Got it from a relative who bought it some 30 years ago, apparently never fired. Does anyone have experience with this weapon? I couldn't figure out if it was reconditioned or a full-on repro. He didn't know too much about it. It was in perfect shape and functioned flawless until the magazine baseplate slid out of the bottom. We put it back together and it carried on without a hitch. Very accurate too. He was shooting 5 inch groups at 25 yards with the stock ghost rings. I've come across plenty of carbines, but none like this. Any insight on this carbine would be appreciated, take care guys. -->

08-22-2012, 09:00 PM	#2
firebird8073 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 11	Re: Iver Johnson M1 Carbine Well, I've done some research which I should've done before. Seems IJ made some repros in the 70's and this has got to be one. Value about $450-500.

08-22-2012, 09:02 PM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: Iver Johnson M1 Carbine Iver used new-made receivers with GI parts to build their guns. That might be chrome-plated or it might be nickel-plated, but I'm pretty darn sure it ain't stainless. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

08-22-2012, 10:08 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,478	Re: Iver Johnson M1 Carbine IJ made a full stainless version of the M-1 carbine. They also made a full stainless version of the M-1 Enforcer pistol. I have one. Some of the small parts may be industrial chrome plated, but the great majority of the guns were stainless steel. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

08-22-2012, 10:28 PM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: Iver Johnson M1 Carbine And I had to wait all the way to 10:30 at night to learn something. Dang. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

08-23-2012, 12:58 PM	#6
CHW2021 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 468	Re: Iver Johnson M1 Carbine After ww2 the M1 carbine was made by dozens of companies from (primarily) surplus parts. Iver Johnson eventually became the final manufacturer of carbines, they had outlasted or absorbed all other manufacturers. In the 60's they used all new parts, no real quantity of surplus was left. Included in the companies holdings were Plainfield mfg. and others that used non-milspec parts or receivers of their own "improved " design. Some worked better than others; Iver Johnson began to make guns out of stainless to attract new buyers as stainless guns were "new" on the market then and the M-1 was still wildly popular. Also offered were "coated" finish guns and chamberings other than 30 carbine with folding stock options and even the enforcer pistol. Since the above mentioned gun works/cycles well, it is apparent that you have whatever ammo it will work well with; some guns had a poor reputation due to (probably) inconsistant ammo. Sounds like a keeper, have fun.

08-23-2012, 02:22 PM	#7
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 387	Re: Iver Johnson M1 Carbine Bought this one about 20 years ago I think for around 75.00 I hate to guess how many rounds have been thru it. Was my kids favorite to shoot as they was growing up.