The Surprisingly Modern Colt 1903

Lot 1453: Excellent Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Original Box and Papers
(Lot 1468 is another pristine example of a 1908 in its original box)

At the 2015 Shot Show in Las Vegas there was the usual hullabaloo around a lot of new guns and gadgets, and rightly so.  For those unfamiliar, Shot Show is basically the Detroit Auto Show of the gun world. It's on par with the biggest industry shows in the country: E3, CES, Comic-Con, NRA Convention, etc. Annually, new stuff gets unveiled before throngs of both the passionate and the curious. However, one little pistol stuck out at Shot2015 that was not the usual piece of innovative technology.  In fact, its roots go back over 100 years.  Needless to say, the presence of a Colt Model 1903 "General Officer's Pistol" surprised more than a few people.

Also known as the 1903 Pocket Hammerless, even though they possess a shrouded hammer, these classy little pistols are perhaps more at home in today's world of concealed carry options than most folks recognize. Here's how it compares side-by-side with the Glock 43, arguably one of the most anticipated handguns in recent memory.

The larger of the Colt measurements pertain solely to the first variation of the Colt 1903, which
accounted for the first 71,999 produced.

Glocks are frequently heralded for their utilitarian nature, but at over one century old, the Colt still holds its own. In addition to the comparable dimensions, the 1903 has something else going for it that newer pistols simply cannot match: history.

Original Models

Designed by John Moses Browning and initially called Model M by Colt, these "hammerless" pistols were made for over four decades (1903 - 1945) with approximately 572,215 entering civilian production and 200,000 more for the military. They were immediately popular with the public, and approximately 10,000 were sold in the first year. Even though production stopped in 1945, so many parts had been produced that they continued to be assembled until 1953, and were issued to general officers in the Army and Air Force as late as the 1970s. These totals include all five variations of the 1903. The Model 1908 was a nearly identical pistol in .380 ACP that differed only in chamber/bore size and magazine capacity.  The larger round of the Model 1908 meant that only 7 rounds could fit in the magazine, but the new cartridge, developed by John Browning for the Colt 1908, could not compete with the popularity of the .32 ACP that had been in production since 1899. Only 138,000 Model 1908 pistols were sold retail and an unknown amount were made for military contracts.

The smooth lines and relative small size, compared to other early semi-autos, made the Model 1903 a hit with good guys and bad guys alike. Besides being issued to general officers in the military the pistol also saw service with the Shanghai Municipal Police (M1908) in the 1920s and 1930s, including by noted knife fighter, secret agent, commando, and all-around dangerous guy, William Fairbairn. Pistols used in Shanghai are clearly marked as such and are likely to have seen heavy use given the infestation of crime the city during the early 20th century. Perhaps it was Fairbairn's positive experience with the Model 1908 that led to its use by both the OSS, a precursor of the CIA, and the British SOE, both organizations that greatly valued Fairbairn's covert contributions. George Patton was also known to own a 1908 Pocket Hammerless.

Lot 1476: Scarce Documented Shanghai Municipal Police Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter

However, the same advantages that made it so desirable to many police departments, including the NYPD, also made it popular among criminals of the day. Bonnie Parker of "Bonnie & Clyde" infamy had two with her the day they were gunned down in their V8-powered Ford. John Dillinger, despite his affinity for .45 caliber weapons, and a well-known quote of, "Never trust a woman, a district attorney, or an automatic pistol," was photographed wearing a Model 1908 and was killed with one on his person.

New Models

At Shot Show 2015, Colt had a Model 1903 at their booth.  There was no grand reveal, no unveiling, hype, or fanfare.  Just a pistol displayed under glass and one being shown by one of the creators in the massive Colt booth. The full story is that Colt contracted U.S. Armament Corp to make a licensed copy of the 1903 pocket hammerless general officer's pistol.  This U.S. Armament Corp is the same organization that made exact replicas of the Colt Model 1877 "Bulldog" Gatling gun several years back.  Not only are the Gatling guns gorgeous with their highly polished brass and walnut, the reproductions are said to be so exact that parts of the originals and the reproductions are said to be interchangeable. That's the kind of precision and attention to authenticity U.S. Armament brings to the table when reproducing the Colt Model 1903 pistols.  (Note: According to USAC, the parts of the new pistols may or may not fit the original Colt pistols because many of the original Colt pistols were hand fitted, as are the parts for the reproductions. Sometimes, even original parts don't properly fit on original guns.)

That said, the guns are reproduced with most of their imperfections.  The grip safety that some users found difficult to activate appears in its original form. The right-handed, manual safety that offers no tactile or audible feedback, yet is easy enough to use, is still a simple checkered lever with a smooth pivot. The small sights, curiously prevalent among guns of that period, have not been enlarged. No push button magazine release has been added, so the original heel release must be used. Also since the Model 1903 pre-dates the 1911, the slide does not lock open on the final shot, nor is there accompanying slide release for such a feature. Those wishing to carry this gun as an alternative to modern concealed carry options will be pleased at the authenticity, but may also wish to consider the lack of many common and desirable features.

Image from www.usarmamentcorp.com

The only true downside to the reproduction of these once popular little pistols will be the limited run. initial reports after Shot Show 2015 were that 2,500 of these pistols were going to be produced, 500 of which would be GO-issued pistols. A quick call to USAC reveals that those numbers have been updated. Now, a total run of 3,500 pistols will be produced. 2,500 will be parkerized general officer's pistols, and 500 of those will be "presentation" models with serial number duplicates to those issued to specific U.S. Generals, deluxe presentation cases, and information on that specific general. It is likely that those serial numbers issued to the most famous generals (Patton, Eisenhower, Bradley, etc) will likely be donated or presented. The remaining 1,000 pistols are going to be shipped in the white to Colt's Custom Shop where they will undoubtedly get any number of special grips, finishes, engravings, and inlays. Also disclosed at Shot Show was the base price of $1,395. In comparison, original models of the 1903 and 1908 in our December auction have low estimates ranging from $800 - $6,500.  Those guns will be shipped with one mag in the military style kraft boxes, with wax pencil serial numbers on the box to boot. Model 1908 pistols will come later (likely 12 - 18 months out) with a limited production run of approximately 5,000. Before you can ask: no, Colt Pythons reproductions are not planned at this time despite the immense number of requests for the wheelgun.

New Info on the New Model

What has not yet been discussed or divulged is the possibility of USAC producing a special "OSS Presentation" version of the pistol. This gun would likely receive its own presentation case and some OSS related goodies, but would also be able to accept a suppressor! USAC says that the suppressor (as of this writing) would likely be outsourced, but the pistol itself would involve a longer, threaded barrel produced in-house. As if a popular old gun receiving its due renaissance isn't cool enough, USAC will potentially take it one step further by giving a very visible modern nod to the pistol's clandestine past. That is one idea that this writer personally hopes makes it all the way into final production, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Timeline for such a piece would be roughly 12 - 18 months.

Photo taken from the USAC Facebook page, and not, unfortunately, from my desk.

Speaking of timelines, I spoke with Jake Nyman, Vice President of USAC, with a few clarifying questions regarding these reproductions. Of course, one of the questions I asked was if the timeframe for the 1903 was still correct. He gave details of the production that are perhaps not what people anticipate.  His answer was that a run of 3,500 guns is still anticipated (though an extension of the license with Colt may be sought for the aforementioned "OSS version"). However, the way he answered it communicated that these guns are not being "released" en masse like the latest iPhone. There is no set "release date." These guns are being carefully hand-fitted and will take time to produce.  With some very recent hiring at USAC to build these guns more quickly, rate of manufacture should ramp up to about 100-120 guns per month, meaning about two more years of production. For those wondering, yes, that means these reproductions are already being sold.

Image on unpacked Model 1903, also from USAC Facebook page.

On a side note, the original Model 1903 pistols are said to lack a mechanical firing pin safety and can discharge if dropped hard enough on its muzzle or rear of the slide. The inertia of such an drop has been known to whip the firing pin forward and touch off a chambered round.  This is also the alleged reason for Fairbairn not permitting the Shangai Police to carry with a round in the chamber. Since USAC is known for their dedication to authenticity and accuracy in these reproductions, I asked Mr. Nyman about this design flaw and whether improvements had been made or they stayed 100% true to the old design.

Jake gave an answer that showed a little of each was taking place. A firing pin safety had not been added to the pistol design in order to maintain authenticity, but he did assure me that the sear and hammer pockets were deepened to prevent the accidental discharges. He said, "We and Colt have put this pistol through every drop test you can imagine," with no experienced failures.

Models Appearing in Our 2015 December Auction

It should come as no surprise that the reason we decided to write about these sleek little pistols, in addition to their surprising modern relevancy, is the amount of exceptional examples in our upcoming 2015 December Premiere Firearms Auction. One collection, that of Ralf Eyster, focuses entirely on these pistols. Here are a few of the highlights appearing in this sale.

Lot 3593: Historic Documented U.S. Property Marked Colt Model 1903 Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol as Issued to Brigadier General Joseph L. Bernier with Original Wooden Shipping Crate

Lot 1454: Documented Factory Engraved Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Letter

Lot 1452: Scarce Factory Documented OSS Shipped U.S. Property Marked Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Boxed OSS-Pattern Concealment Holster and Two "Cloak and Dagger" Pattern Patches

Lot 3591: Exceptional U.S. Military Colt Model 1903 Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol

Lot 3571: Wolf and Klar Shipped Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box and Factory Letter

Lot 1680: Exceptional U.S. Property Marked Colt Model 1908 .380 Hammerless Pocket Automatic Pistol with Ammunition Pouch and Spare Magazines

Not only are Model 1903 and 1908 pistols still relevant today, they basically set several standards upon their introduction. Their ability to be concealed and streamlined shape gave them practicality beyond their years. The popularity of the gun and its early appearance in the lifetime of semi-automatic pistols, made its design virtually the definition of how a pistol "should" look, especially in TV and movies. It was seen in early Dick Tracy comic strips (and the 1990 movie) and in the hands of Humphrey Bogart in "Casablanca."  It quickly turned into an "every pistol" and is a highly under-recognized accomplishment in the John Moses Browning design portfolio. They provide great alternative for someone who wants to concealed carry, but might not appreciate the aesthetics or lack of history of modern pistols.

Luckily, there is no shortage of either of these pistols in our upcoming 2015 December Premiere Firearms Auction. Likewise, there is also an excellent assortment not only of the 1903 and 1908, but also the 1908 Vest Pocket, and a splendid smattering of other early Colt semi-automatic pistols. Please click any of the links below to view the full selection.  You can place bids directly on our website or just peruse the various roles that these guns filled through their four working decades. Whether you choose buy an original Colt, a licensed reproduction, or just look, be sure to do it fast, because the popularity of these little guns seems to be catching on quickly.

Click here to view all Model 1903 & 1908 pistols in the 2015 December auction

Click here to view other early Colt semi-autos in the auction

Click here to view the Ralf Eyster Collection

-Written by Joel R. Kolander




SOURCES:

Ayoob, Massad F. Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Vol. II. Iola, WI: Krause, 2012. Print.

http://www.alloutdoor.com/2015/01/23/colt-leaks-model-1903-general-officers-pistol-recreation-2015-shot-show/

http://www.usarmamentcorp.com/manufactured-products/colt-1903-pocket-pistol

...and a big thanks to Jake Nyman for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions!

Inland M1 Carbines: Past and Present

Click to see all the M1 Carbines in our 2015 June Regional Auction

Lot 2874: World War II Inland Mfg. M1 Carbine with American Optical Co. M3 Infrared Sniper Scope, Power Pack, Mounting Bar and Carrying Case

The rumblings of a modern production M1 carbine from the newly founded Inland Manufacturing have been around since October of last year.  For those awaiting these new carbines, it has been confirmed that they have started shipping approximately one month ago.  Established in 2013, Inland announced in fall of 2014 their intent to produce 3 versions of the well-known U.S. military arm:

The "M1 1944": A wood stocked M1 without a bayonet lug + 1 10-round magazine

The "M1 1945": A wood stocked M1 with a bayonet lug + 1 -15 round magazine

The "M1A1 Paratrooper": Wood forestock & pistol grip with folding wire stock + 15 round magazine

When the announcement was made, the first two models were to be available at $1,049 a piece and the Paratrooper was slated to cost $1,179.  Now, those are reasonable prices for a number of reasons we'll discuss later on, but the first question on your mind is likely the same on on everyone else's, "Can't you buy an original for less?"  Furthermore, why would someone purchase a new production model over a model with actual WWII history?  Aren't there companies already making these reproductions?  These are not bad questions, so let's take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly between a modern and an original M1 carbine.

Lot 4668: Two M1 Semi-Automatic Carbines

History of Inland

First off, let's review a little bit of Inland's history.  Originally known as "The Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors," the company can trace its organization all the way back to 1922 where, according to Inland's webpage, they "manufactured wood wrapped steering wheels" in buildings that previously housed the Dayton Wright Airplane Company.  Those hangars are the only buildings of the original Inland company still standing today, thanks to their historical significance.  Their shape inspired the Inland Logo.

Photo of hangar courtesy of www.inland-mfg.com

Even though Pearl Harbor wouldn't happen until December 7, 1941, in September of that same year the industrial might of the United States was already rolling for the war effort.  Inland was producing the M1 carbine by then, three months prior to the surprise attack, as seen in the black and white photographs below.  They were the first to start production of the approved Winchester design since Winchester was already swamped with other commitments to the war effort.  By then they had also manufactured the necessary tooling not only for themselves, but also for the other nine contracted companies that would also produce the rifle.  On its face, it would appear that the United States was anticipating their involvement - to an extent they were.  The carbine began its development in 1938 (the same year Hitler was declared Time's Man of the Year and was allowed to annex the Sudentland in an act of appeasement), so future conflict may have been foreseen by the U.S.  However, whether or not that meant the anticipated war is another thing entirely.  The M1 carbine was a popular Lend-Lease weapon and Inland no doubt would have been producing them for our Allies in the European theater.  

Lot 827: U.S. Inland M1A1 Style Semi-Automatic Paratrooper Carbine with Canvas Sleeve

Already producing M1 carbines in mid-to-late 1941, by June 1942 Inland was running at full steam creating not only the carbines, but also sights for anti-aircraft cannons, tank tracks, aircraft components, and many other small parts.  Inland's website states that, "Inland became one of the most important divisions of General Motors supporting the war effort," and the numbers support it.  They produced 3-10 times more carbines than any other contractor and was one of only two original manufacturers of the M2.  By the end of World War II, Inland had produced the following quantities for the war effort in just over 38 months:

M1 Carbines: 1,954,224 - 1,984,189

M1A1 Carbines: 140,000 - 140,882

M2 Carbines: 199,500 - 200,000

M3 (T3) Carbines: 811

Several hundred experimental versions

Total production between: 2,625,591 - 2,632,097

(ranges for total production are given since respected sources differ slightly on the matter)

The following black & white photos are courtesy of www.inland-mfg.com

After the war, Inland found itself returning to its automotive roots producing brake linings, bumpers, etc.  By the early 1980s it was building the fiberglass mono-leaf springs for Chevy Corvettes.  At the end of the 80s it was merged with Fisher Guide, a division of GM that produced torpedo bombers for the Navy during WWII, that normally produced body moldings and interior parts.  This merger was called (creatively) Inland Fisher Guide, and would eventually merge with GM's other component divisions to become the Automotive Components Group (ACG).  ACG would be renamed Delphi Automotive Systems (whose parts you have likely seen in your vehicles at one time), which separated from GM in 1999.  Delphi filed for bankruptcy in 2005 amidst several executive resignations and an SEC investigation involving charges of "irregular accounting."  The building had been empty since 2008.  Through all the mergers and corporate shuffling, the original Inland building still stood in Dayton, OH until 2014 when the building was razed.  Thankfully, as mentioned earlier, the original two hangars were preserved.

Lot 4690: Scarce Irwin Pedersen M1 Semi-Automatic Carbine

Just as the building was being demolished and the death knell of Inland was truly sounding, somewhere else, a new business was being organized, Inland Manufacturing, LLC.  Out of the ashes of the original facility, less than two miles away, arose the manufacturer of the new Inland M1 Carbine.  The current Inland Manufacturing property was owned for many years by the owners of Inland, who were leasing it to Chiappa Firearms.  When Chiappa relocated their North American operations building to a new and expanded facility elsewhere in Dayton, OH during 2009, it wouldn't take long for Inland's owners to wisely utilize their own building.  After some remodeling and retooling, Inland was ready for business.

Reproduction Details

Just so we can accurately discuss these reproduced rifles, here are some details.

Inland, long since parted from one-time parent company GM, states that these carbines will be "100% American-made with 100% American parts."  These parts are all new manufacturing (no milsurp pieces) and are contract made by U.S. companies which are then assembled/manufactured in Dayton, OH.  Actually, Inland does claim milsurp parts for "non-essential items" such as the oiler.  Other than that the guns are promised to be built to the same specifications as the originals: able to use replica and original magazines, uses a short-stroke piston action, rotating bolt, and a quick call to Inland revealed that they even use the same stain formula that was used on the original walnut stocks.  Appears they have an eye for detail.  Thankfully, to avoid confusion in the collector markets, the stampings are MOSTLY identical to original M1 carbines.  Some are given minor modifications and some new marks are added where they cannot be seen without disassembly.  Again according to Inland, even the cartouches have been given minor changes to help differentiate them from originals.

One of the major differences between the original and new M1 carbines is that the original was manufactured with a forged receiver, while the new ones feature a "high quality cast receiver."  The new M1 carbine is also claimed by Inland to be more accurate and said to fire 2-inch groups at 100 yards.  On the surface, it sounds like the new Inland carbines have a lot going for them, so let's really break down their pros and cons.

Lot 902: Two U.S. Military Semi-Automatic Carbines

PROS (The Good)

Accuracy: As mentioned earlier, the new production models are said to have improved accuracy over the originals. The Inland website states the M1 carbine is "substantially more accurate than the originals due to the design and construction of the new carbine," but fails to reveal any more details than that. Part of the accuracy could be attributed to the barrels. The new barrels are "precision bored" with a 4-groove 1:20 twist rate, but perhaps more importantly, they haven't been repeatedly fired over the last 70+ years. They also mention bedding "the barreled action to the stock and a correct fitting recoil plate coupled with the type 2 or type 3 barrel bands," but again fail to mention how that differs from the original (if at all) or how that would be an improvement.

Peace of Mind: An easy to address pro to buying new is that, well... it's new. Just like buying a new car, you don't have to worry about who made what modifications, what's original and what's not, what's damaged, what needs replacing, and so on. You forfeit all those worries the moment you decide to buy new. The new carbines even come with a 1-year warranty, a definite plus, though the Inland website does not specify what exactly that covers. Some folks will only want to buy an original and so the newness will not appeal to them. However, the benefits of a warranty and new parts cannot be denied, so long as the quality of the new parts holds up, at a minimum, to the old quality standards responsible for keeping the old carbines running for the past three quarters of a century.

Looks Good:  Part of the argument for buying a reproduction is that a buyer would then get to experience the gun how it would've appeared as it left the factory line. For the new Inlands, that argument holds mostly true. While they are certain to be in excellent condition, the guns have been designed with the collector in mind by what GunsAmerica calls in their review, "a slightly aged patina." These are meant to be in NIB condition, yet look like an authentic version that would carry an undoubtedly heavy price tag.

Lot 2915: U.S. Inland M1A1 Semi-Automatic Paratrooper Style Carbine

CONS (The Bad)

Lack of History:  Something these carbines will never be able to overcome is their lack of history.  There is an intangible magic that comes from holding a piece of honest-to-goodness history.  To many gun owners, a reproduction will never appeal to them, even as a shooter.  It might as well be any new semi-auto rifle in their mind.  Even with all of Inland's attention to detail and what appears to be earnest attempts to make several improvements, some folks still want, "the real thing."  There's nothing wrong with that.  It's a simple personal preference.

Price:  The prices mentioned in the second paragraph of this article were released via several shooting and outdoors news outlets.  The price puts Inland in an interesting position.  They're more expensive than "shooter" versions of original M1 carbines, but cheaper than the pristine original models sought by collectors.  Yet, being a reproduction, they're more likely to be fired and used than to be part of a collection, so why would a shooter buy this new model?

Granted, you are allegedly paying for more accuracy (I say allegedly because I was unable to locate any shooting results or field tests), but is accuracy really what you're buying when you buy an M1 carbine?  Are you going to take it to a 3-gun match, a schuetzen match, or even hunting? (Confession: I secretly love the idea of hunting with an M1 carbine)  Most hunting rifles are specialized for their purpose and made to do one thing.  Why use a carbine that, even in in its infancy wasn't designed with a single purpose, but instead to bridge the gap between side arm and standard service rifle?

Association:  I debated on whether or not to put this paragraph in the "debatable" section below, but placed it here and I'll explain why.  Inland Manufacturing is using MKS Supply, another Dayton business, to distribute and market the reproduction M1 carbines (I assume that MKS is also providing the same services for the 1911 pistols Inland is also manufacturing).  MKS performs the same duties for Hi-Point, a brand known more for its affordability and customer service than its reliability.  In fact, when you visit the MKS homepage you see the following graphic.

Many press releases surrounding the reproduction M1 carbines pointed people to the MKS sight, and what's the first thing people see?  A reference to Hi-Point.  All of a sudden people are wondering and maybe a bit confused.  Is MKS making these?  Does MKS make Hi-Point?  Is Hi-Point manufacturing the carbines?  With all the parent companies in the world, seen even in Inland's own history, these aren't the craziest questions in the world.

Now, that said, allow me to clearly state the following:
1.  Inland is its own separate company.
2.  Hi-Point is its own separate company.
3.  MKS is taking care of the distribution and marketing for Inland.
4.  MKS also takes care of the same for Hi-Point.
5.  Inland and Hi-Point are in no way related other than their mutual business with MKS.
6.  Oh, both manufacturers are located in Ohio.

I am also making a safe assumption that MKS handles the website design for both companies, given the similarities between the two.  In any case, Inland has no attachment or relation with Hi-Point, but that doesn't always matter.  Public perception is everything!  Merwin & Hulbert unfairly suffered detriments to their reputation by having their firearms manufactured by Hopkins & Allen.  The Daisy V/L rifle we covered last month was viewed as a cheaper product thanks to the plastic stock.  These are only two examples of many that show how a negative reputation can help sink a gun.

Lots of people saw Hi-Point's name next to Inland's and may have assumed the worst or that MKS is some sort of parent company.  I put this in the "Cons" section because at best, people will know that the two manufacturers are completely separate and it won't affect their buying decision at all, but at worst people can be misinformed and spread that misinformation, possibly turning away potential buyers.  Granted, this whole section on "association" ultimately has no effect on the gun itself nor its performance, but it may be a factor behind someone's decision to purchase and that bears real consequences.

Lot 2949: U.S. Inland M1 Semi-Automatic Carbine with Bayonet and Magazines

DEBATABLE (The Ugly)

New vs. Old: This is a debate that will never be solved because it's completely subjective.  Some folks want newer guns because they're getting parts that haven't been sitting around for seven decades.  Many will want those parts nice so that they can shoot the gun reliably.  Other folks want the history, and if you're going to buy a modern gun, go buy one that's designed for the task you wish to perform.  The only thing that is not subjective is value.  Real pieces of military history will continue to become more and more rare due to fires, floods, rust, negligence, and time.  As they become more scarce, the value of remaining examples will increase (assuming demand also remains in the market).  The same thing cannot be said about reproductions.  Condition vs. originality: the battle rages on.

Contractor Produced Parts:  Some people don't like the idea of "contract produced parts," and then having those parts assembled by a manufacturer.  For those folks I have bad news: then you probably don't like the car you're driving, or any one on the road for that matter.  You also probably don't like the original M1 carbines.  They were made with roughly 60 parts and none of the primary 10 manufacturers produced more than 15 of said parts.  For those math whizzes out there, yes, that means that original M1 carbines were made with at least 75% contracted parts.  Heck, one of the primary manufacturers during WWII only made the receivers!  This business of not liking contracted parts is pretty easy to counter, but it is included here because it's inevitably going to mentioned by some.

Website:  I definitely appreciate a lot of the things on the Inland website.  They cover the basics and give a pretty nicely summarized company history (with some really great photos).  Also, they make contact info very easy to find.  When I called them I spoke with a extremely helpful PERSON who picked-up promptly and was able to answer my questions without redirection; I was super impressed.  The website homepage also has a big link to join the NRA - icing on the cake.

However, the Inland website could definitely clear up a lot of the remaining questions that collectors and buyers will want answered.  I know the business has only been established since 2013, but with a major product launch, one would think a business would want their customer to be able to review a warranty and feel confident in it.  Obviously, I'm not slamming their warranty (I can't, I don't know what's in it), it's just one example.  Buyers may also wish to know WHY they feel a cast receiver is better than an original forged one or how the list of features that enhance accuracy actually do so.  In retail jobs, that's Sales 101.  You can't just tell a customer the features and expect them to be impressed.  You have to tell what it does and how that benefits them, and to be fair, they have mentioned the benefits in describing the small 100-yards groups and potential sub-MOA accuracy.

Again, this is another thing that doesn't affect the rifle directly, but it sure doesn't help people go forward with a purchase.


Availability:  Since these carbines just started shipping a month ago (with a few exceptions), no one knows yet how widely available these will be.  Will we see them in "big box" stores?  Will they be snatched up quickly at first and be more available once demand dies down?  No one can say for sure, but with literally millions of original M1 carbines created, you shouldn't have any trouble finding one of those.

Speaking of availability, there are many original M1 carbines in our upcoming June Regional Auction.  You can click here to see them.  they range in price from $2,500 for an M1 with an M3 infrared scope, to $1,000 for TWO standard M1 carbines!  That's much less than the price of the Inland carbines.


Other reproduction manufacturers:  During the 1960s, there was a glut of surplus gun parts and, therefore, no shortage of companies willing to assemble them to try and make a quick buck.  Some of these were sensible, but most were made with relatively low quality and an disproportionally high price.  Many of these companies dried up with the abundance of surplus parts.  These manufacturers aside, there are already companies that currently reproduce the M1 carbine such as Auto-Ordnance and James River Armory.  Why does Inland think they can enter into the reproduction market, at a higher price point, when two manufacturers are already trying to satisfy the market and original M1 carbines are still far from rare?  Does the Inland name give them an advantage?  Is there room in the market to support another reproduction manufacturer, indicating an increasing consumer demand for WWII weapons even if they are reproductions?  I have a feeling we'll know a lot more in the next six months.

Lot 835: U.S. Winchester M1 Semi-Automatic Carbine

Condition versus provenance.  Functionality against history.  Brand new pitted against "they way they used to make 'em."  All are arguments that buyers could have for days -just like 9mm v .45 ACP, Glock vs 1911, or AK vs AR.  Long story short?  What people value is going to rest in different places.  There's no right answer, there's only what's right for you.  So whichever your prefer, the tried-and-true originals or the fancy new productions, just go shoot what makes you happy.

-Written by Joel Kolander

Click to see all the M1 Carbines in our 2015 June Regional Auction

Sources:

https://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/Inland_Manufacturing_Division

http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2014/12/16/inland-manufacturings-1945-m1-carbine/

http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/inland-manufacturing-rebirth-old-name/

http://www.inland-mfg.com/

http://www.mkssupply.com/index.html

http://www.uscarbines.com/