AO M1 Carbine

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PaiN

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I'm liking these rifles very much and have been going over and over buying one this weekend. I handled the AO M1 Carbine at a shop this week, the balance and handling felt excellent, build quality was fine plus I loved the look even better in person then in all the pics I've been preening over. The retail was about ~$750 which I thought was high. I've found them on-line for less($680 @ Bud's). Add about $45 worth of stuff from CTD(GI sling & oilier, stock mag pouch and two 15r mags) and I think it would make a very cool and fun retro assault rifle.
I only have one rifle a Saiga .308 for SHTF. My problem with getting the M1 is, I really have no place to shoot it ....I don't belong to a "range"(and there's none I care to join) I shoot at indoor pistols ranges that only allow pistol cal. and .22lr. I have to wait for the occasional invite to a buds range or make the long trip(1hr) to a public rifle range and pay $30/hr to use it [angry]
...but I really would like to own one.
Might even be an excuse to build a 10/22 M1 Carbine for use at indoor ranges..... hmm [smile]
 
The M1 Carbine is an excellent rifle. Keep in mind 30 Carbine ammo isn't always handy. For the price of the AO ($680-$750) you could buy an authentic GI.
 
Iv'e been ripped on this forum before for saying this BUT, I stand by my opinion.
The AO M1's are problematic and are more prone to jamming than the GI version.
Plus the GI has history & can only increase in value despite shooting it.

The M1 carbine may be the one rifle that if you ask nicely & plead your case may be allowed to shoot at you pistol range.
Were only talking a 110 grain bullet moving at 1900FPS.
I can think of some handgun calibers with similar power factors.
Worth a try.
 
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saltydude said:
I stand by my opinion.
The AO M1's are problematic and are more prone to jamming than the GI version.
Plus the GI has history & can only increase in value despite shooting it.
Click to expand...
Hmm...that's a hard call on both counts salty. From what I've been reading the AOs had rough chambers in their early runs, making some a little sticky but the rifles are now long past that and are very reliable. For me, its not the history that made me want one, so much as it the unique look, great ergonomics and accuracy. (and btw....its not an AR ...[laugh])

I did take take plunge and ordered one this morning
 
Anyone know if the Auto Ordinance carbine can use USGI parts if there's a problem down the road (something to consider when purchasing any clone firearm)?
 
vellnueve said:
The GIs are better shooters, and it's not even close.
Click to expand...
Out of curiosity, why do you say this?

and I don't want to come across as disrespectful toward the rifles' history, it is simply that I would rather have a newly made(especially one from a quality maker like Kahr) firearm over one many decades old. It is my personal preference in buying a firearm, that is all.
 
Tolerances are more precise, machining is of much higher quality, finish is much better. I had to go at an AO bolt with a file for about an hour to get it to properly function.

GI carbines are tackdrivers. I've not been impressed with AO reliability or performance. Yes, they're better than they were, but still not there.
 
It seems odd to me that they (Karhr) are priced far too high. $750 even in this economy, is at the price of the more collectible GI pieces. It seems to me if they priced them @ 450 they'd sell very well. And given the price and relative hit or miss availability of 30 carbine, it probably scares a lot of potential buyers away.

If they put these out and they sold well, ammo makers would probably pump out more 30 carb, increasing the supply and bringing the cost down a bit.
 
I handled an AO M1 at Riley's and the gun felt like a toy (wicked light). Maybe it was the finish on the wood but the wood looked fake.
 
I miss the Ruger PC rifles. I have a PC9 and a GI M1 Carbine. The M1 is a classic piece of history, but the Ruger handles the same and is easy to get ammo for.
 
soloman02 said:
I handled an AO M1 at Riley's and the gun felt like a toy (wicked light). Maybe it was the finish on the wood but the wood looked fake.
Click to expand...

You just can't fake the look, smell, dings, patina, aura and feel of a real 50 year old gun. You can't infuse a history into a new piece.
 
seanc said:
It seems odd to me that they (Karhr) are priced far too high. $750 even in this economy, is at the price of the more collectible GI pieces. It seems to me if they priced them @ 450 they'd sell very well...
Click to expand...

I have to agree with that...at $450 they would at least have a market...but at 750 not really sure why someone would buy one, even as a shooter...Why pay 750 for a knockoff "shooter" when you can get the real thing in "real nice" shape for that price and in "shooter grade" for $500 ...
 
You all go right ahead and enjoy your rifles' "smells, dings, patinas, auras". I'll take my newly machined parts and perfect stock, thanks.
As for the price...I paid $700 which, as far a new rifles go, is fair.....Honestly, what rifle are you going to get that is decent and NIB for less than that?

Hell, just to spite you all I might have to get a NIB AO 1911 GI to match the rifle [wink]
 
PaiN said:
I'll take my newly machined parts and perfect stock, thanks.
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If you're happy with it that is all that matters. I am sure they are very nice.

if they came out with a variant that shot 9mm (or even 38super) using a modified m1c mags (same 30c receiver), I think they'd a have a real hot seller.
 
Hell, just to spite you all I might have to get a NIB AO 1911 GI to match the rifle
Click to expand...

Heresy!! [laugh]

If your new rifle shoots and functions as well as the USGI's then you made a great purchase. I like my old milsurps as much as any other collector but I also enjoy shooting the newer-made guns. I thought about commencing a search for a brand new reproduction Colt WWI 1911 but scrapped the idea after hearing some feedback about Colt's QC in these new guns.
 
PaiN said:
Out of curiosity, why do you say this?

and I don't want to come across as disrespectful toward the rifles' history, it is simply that I would rather have a newly made(especially one from a quality maker like Kahr) firearm over one many decades old. It is my personal preference in buying a firearm, that is all.
Click to expand...

It's because "old and serviceable" is better than "factory fresh junk" it's literally that simple.

Have you ever held a real USGI carbine and compared it to an AO?

I saw an AO at FS once... I picked it up, worked the action, looked at it briefly... and I was expecting to see "Hesse Arms" or "Vulcan Arms" stamped into the receiver, that's how ghetto the thing was.... it felt like a toy... cheap, awful looking wood, ratty, cheap looking bolt, etc... but if it works for you, then I'm happy. IMHO the M1 Carbine is one of those guns that nobody ever really built a good repro for, at least on the mass market.... I bet Fulton Armory has one, but it's probably big $$$$...

-Mike
 
drgrant said:
It's because "old and serviceable" is better than "factory fresh junk" it's literally that simple.

Have you ever held a real USGI carbine and compared it to an AO?

I saw an AO at FS once... I picked it up, worked the action, looked at it briefly... and I was expecting to see "Hesse Arms" or "Vulcan Arms" stamped into the receiver, that's how ghetto the thing was.... it felt like a toy... cheap, awful looking wood, ratty, cheap looking bolt, etc... but if it works for you, then I'm happy. IMHO the M1 Carbine is one of those guns that nobody ever really built a good repro for, at least on the mass market.... I bet Fulton Armory has one, but it's probably big $$$$...

-Mike
Click to expand...

Seriously....sometimes reading you guys just kills me. :)
It is half the reason I bother to start a thread here....
 
I have gotten two rack grade carbines that were excellent. I also had two that were so-so.

But regardless, the quality is much better than the AO reproductions. It's like the difference between a 1940's Winchester lever rifle and one made in the 1980's.
 
I could really care less about the wood. It is the barrel that I am worried about. I want a SHTF light rifle. Which means it HAS to work and be accurate. The M1 is battle tested so I know the design is good, but the pitting has me worried.

"Bores will have some heavy pitting and exterior finish may show significant wear and some surface pitting. Muzzle will gauge over a three (3) on gauge"

According to the RG description, the bores will probably have heavy pitting. Won't that kill accuracy and shootability?

I have never bought a CMP rifle so I am new to the process etc.
 

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