M1A1 Carbine Paratrooper Stock

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coolhandluke

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I recently picked up a repro M1A1 stock out of the classifieds on the CMP forums. Unlike most moderns repro stocks, this stock was an older production with walnut furniture and parkerized metal (most repros have blued metal). Original M1A1 stocks are bringing $1500+ so I figured that, with a little work, the repro could be made into a decent stand-in on my Inland carbine. I have a nice USGI SA M2 stock on the rifle currently so this one will probably just be used as a beater when shooting or toting the rifle around in the truck.


Here are photos of the stock as received...dark lacquered finish, cheek rest inlet is too shallow and cut at a gradual taper, brass rivets on cheek rest in need of some patina.








Photo of USGI stock...notice the cheek rest inlet compared to the repro stock.




Photos of repro stock after a little work...original finish stripped, cheek rest recut with wood files and 3M sanding sponges, steamed out dents from the buttplate, and stained with RIT dark brown dye. I cheated on this stock by using Minwax tung oil finish as a spit coat before applying Real Milk Paint pure dark tung oil cut with their citrus solvent. This is something that I would never do to an original stock with any value, but in this case it saved me from having to apply several coats of PTO. The repro handguard that came with the stock had hollow aluminum rivets and a funky profile so I decided to ditch it for a USGI two rivet handguard that I stained and finished to match. The rivets on the cheekrest were darkened with Birchwood Casey brass black and the leather was slightly dulled by rubbing it down with alcohol.














Close up of handguard (Trimble two rivet)…





Rear side of darkened cheekrest rivets…the brass black leaves a oxidized film if not oiled which gives it a slightly aged appearance.





How stock appears out of direct sunlight…



 

coolhandluke

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Nice work! I have an Inland in a repro stock, you've given me a few ideas. :)

Thanks Sanford...I'm not sure why there isn't someone out there making a more accurate looking repro stock. It shouldn't be hard to produce a version with a more correct looking cheek rest cut, rivets, etc.
 

dlbleak

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man, you do nice work luke! one of of these days i need to play around with my carbine and figure why it won't go into battery. you have inspired me to do just that.
 

coolhandluke

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man, you do nice work luke! one of of these days i need to play around with my carbine and figure why it won't go into battery. you have inspired me to do just that.

Thanks Darren :)

WWIIDigger was kind enough to let me did through his stash of handguards and find a good replacement handguard which helped me out a ton. I was pleased to find one that had matching grain...even down to the dark figuring on the left side. I was also able to purchase an SA four rivet handguard that was an identical match to the SA M2 stock that I currently have on the rifle. To top it off my brother bought me a nice 1944 Shane carbine case for my birthday so it was a good a good trip to John's house.

Speaking of which...when are you going to post pics of the M94 that he hooked you up with? :naughty:
 

dlbleak

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i was able to get a handguard off ebay for my mixmaster carbine. its the two rivet and matched my gun almost perfectly. digger had an extra bolt to try. i think my issue is extractor related. i may post some pics of the 94 today if i get a chance
 

coolhandluke

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That's awesome. I am really glad I sold you my carbine, I can't imagine it having a better home.

I appreciate you letting me take it off your hands Benny. I ended up swapping out the stock for a USGI SA M2 stock and 4 rivet SA handguard that I had on hand. I figured no harm done since the rifle has an SA replacement barrel on it and my brother has the original Overton stock if I ever need it back.

Here are a few photos of the rifle in the new stock and some of the accessories that I have picked up along the way...






 
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