The M1 carbine owner's guide

M1 Carbine Owner's Guide by Larry L. Ruth and Scott A. Duff is an ok reference, but it really ought to be great. I bought it to learn what to look for in an M1 carbine, and it has a detailed list of what to look for, but not _how_ to look for it. I don't really know what the "right locking lug area" is on the receiver or what a worn one would look like vs. one in perfect condition. There are tons of parts listed, and some of them are described, but none of them are in the diagrams provided! It's amazingly consistent: Chapter 2 is the Standard Nomenclature of Components and it includes diagrams. It advises us to use the proper terms for everything, advice the authors disregard in the all-important Chapter 3, "Selecting and Inspecting the Carbine." Chapter 3 never refers to any of the parts in those diagrams by the same terms! Is the slide the "operating slide" ? Probably, but why should I have to guess? The first line in the "Slide" section is "Examine the slide's guide lug." Chapter 2 shows what I think is the slide, and the diagrams call out a "housing positioning lug" and a "slide retaining lug" but nowhere do I find a "guide lug." Every single item I'm advised to inspect is described the same way.What would make this a slam dunk reference would be a detailed set of photographs indicating each part mentioned, with a good and bad example. I don't know what "peening" is or what a bolt is supposed to look like in the absence of it. I bought the book to find this stuff out. I know this will make me sound ignorant. Hell, I AM ignorant. But I got the book to remedy that, and I came away not a whole lot better off than I started.I'm also a little disappointed at all the numerous citations of a previous book, "War Babies." I didn't see anything in the blurbs or the cover indicating that to get important details, I'll have to pick up that volume, and its sequel, as well.Since I don't have an M1 carbine yet, much less one that needs troubleshooting, I can't say anything about the troubleshooting and maintenance section. They look ok, I guess.I realize this is a labor of love and it does encompass a ton of information acquired over a lifetime of collecting and use. I also realize that nobody got rich writing this book. I'd like to love it, I really would. Maybe a 2nd edition with more pictures instead of a 7th printing of this edition? I trust that the information contained is valid, it's just not information I can take to a gun show and do anything with.--Edit - after obtaining an M1 Carbine:I now know what he means by the various parts, having had lots of time to examine and work with my carbine. I still think the diagrams and use of consistent terminology would make a big difference.

Another must have for the milsurp collector! A must!

is being used to service the M1 carbine

This book cover field striping, in general, issues with specific variations of the M1 Carbine and the M2 Carbine. It covers the M1 Cabines history, with serial number ranges included, and development, as well as M1 Carbine specific upkeep and field maintenance.This series of books by Scott A Duff, [...] also cover M1 Garand, M1A1/M14, AR-15 along with books on M1917 Enfield and 1903 Springfield. This book, the M1 Carine Owner's Guide, while a little dated offfers valiable information which can't be found anywhere else, at least not easily. Even if you search the internet you will not be able to collect the valiable information contained inside this book from any other source. The only thing that has not been address directly is the new Auto-Ordnance M1 Carmbine, which is made from completely newly manutfactured parts, I believe they are CNC machined.If you new to the M1 Carbine, M1 Garand, M1A1/M14, or AR-15, one of these books will go a great distance in making you familiar with you new firearm. If you have been around these guns for a long time, this books will undoubtedly give you new information not easily avaiable anywehre else. A book you should buy and hopefully enjoy like I have.

If you are considering buying a WWII vintage M1 Carbine, you have to do your homework. This means amassing an excellent library and in my opinion, that is not complete until you own The M1 Carbine Owner's Guide. Whether it is serial number ranges that help you compute when the weapon was made, to where parts are marked and what these markings mean, if you don't have the info right at hand, you may well end up with a parts carbine, put together over the years. That may be fine if you just want a "shooter" but not if you want a "collector." Pop this little baby in your pocket or glove compartment when you are traveling to a gun show and never be "unarmed" again.

Wanted a one book owners manual.Have read a few others like it including the army manual that is available on line for free. Do a search for 'M1 carbine manual'. This book came recommended by others in the M1 Carbine universe with more back ground than I have.Good general info on the history, details the different makers and upgrades. Identifies parts with assembly drawings and maintenance items. Section on shooting vs collecting, and safety items. The Authors contribute their years of experience and expertise with the Carbine. Making us all better informed buyers, owners, and maintainers.My suggestion to the authors for next revision.Better continuity between diagrams and text descriptions. Would be more helpful to show clear detailed pictures of unacceptable wear/damaged parts vs acceptable. This will really help those of us that don't have a background in gunsmithing, and raise the value of the book as well.I would recommend this book to anyone who owns a carbine or is thinking of owning one.

Having 2 M1 Carbines and 1 M1A1 version, I found this to be an excellent reference to determinethe authenticity of M1 carbines on the market.fhs

A good basic owner's guide to the M1 carbine, especially if you are mainly interested in assembly and disassembly, operation and functioning and nomenclature. If you are more interested in developmental history, Larry Ruth has written other books on the M1 that co ver that aspect much more thoroughly. I personally prefer Craig Reisch's book on wartime production of the M1 as a basic reference, but this owner's guide by Larry Ruth is more than adequate as a reference work.