The Guns We Own

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Matt, indeed I am. They are both going into their sophmore year, Sophie at the U of I, and Laz at U of Fla (Tampa). Liz is going to be part of a marine biology team leaving on a research ship going around the world. She will be at sea for her entire soph year. They could only spend a week as both work summers. Besides the guns we went tubing and I gave them a class A ride. Liz is an excellent water skier. Sophie had never skied but picked it up after about 8 trys. Not the greatist form but she stayed up.
Dave, excellent gun, and at one time cheap to shoot (when you could find .22LR). I bought a kit that converts the .223 into .22LR. Used it quite a bit until lately. Can find more .223 than .22, unreal
 

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I am looking into purchasing an AR-15 when I get back home.

Sort of out of nostalgic purposes.

I wan't a decent one, without spending an arm and a leg. Any recomendations anyone?
 
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Here's a few more photos of Dad's M1...

I had mentioned some markings on the stock, this shows the "RRA CSA" stamp and where an engraved number or ID was ground off with what looks like a wire wheel:


Next view shows the reciever/chamber detail:


This view shows the extent of the rust to be found on the rifle:


This last photo shows the box and sleeve the rifle was shipped in:
 
You can't go wrong with a S&W M&P 15 also. Those things are the Harleys of the gun world. I purchased a base M&P and added exactly what I wanted,free floated the barrel and shoots nice groups.Reasonably priced also compared to say Daniels Defense or LaRue's.
 
There's just something about a Colt. You almost can't go wrong with any of the major manufacturers. They all use virtually the same receiver and other parts. This is apparently why they dried up for a while.
 
It has not been fired since the day Dad got it. That Carbine has pretty much spent it's entire existance in the back of a closet (and later, on a shelf in his garage)...

So whatever action it saw in it's first twenty years is the extent of it.

I hope you don't mind posted some pics on another board the "CSA" is what I am interested in.I had one reponse it could be armourer's mark then I got this response

Javlin; TommyGunn; All,

"RRA" is the "old" stamp for RED RIVER ARSENAL, which currently is called RED RIVER ARMY DEPOT, in Bowie County, TX. - RRAD is about 18 miles west of Texarkana, TX off I-30.
("RRAD" is the "new stamping".)


Now does that show on the box?I thought I saw IL.
 
No problem with sharing the photo...I'd be interested in knowing what it means, also.

The rifle was shipped to Dad from the Rock Island Arsenal in the early 60's, so where it had been before that, I can only guess.

If you look closely past the RRA CSA, there's an engraved alpha-numeric "serial" number that was ground off. I can barely make it out...looks like it started with a "G" and then a series of numbers
 
CSA - Confederate States of America???
Matt - Colt is an excellent M16 but just because COLT is stamped on it add $200 - $500
 
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Yeah... but it is a Colt. You wouldn't admire Dirty Harry's S&W Model 29 .44Mag and buy a perfectly good Taurus large frame that looks virtually just like it. Just sayin'. Like I said in my post, there are lots of AR manufacturers. And for the most part you can't hardly go wrong. But if you are only going to buy one and it is at the top of your bucket list, go for the original. Like the M1 Carbine. My Universal functions, but it is not the same as GG's dad's rifle. Provenance does count for something. Just ask somebody who's willing to pay $25k for an original Thompson. Not me!!
 
So a slight correction. Its a Walther PP dated 1968 WITHOUT import stamps. The friend also has the original manual and parts list/diagram in reeeeeaaally good shape! On a related note, the .32 ACP the Walther is chambered in is quite pleasant to shoot, aside from the humongous first trigger pull in double action.
 
Alright GrauGeist i found this little tidbit now while it's relating to M1 Garands it is pertient.

EB:Elmer Bjerke was promoted on January 6th, 1947 to Forman of small arms inspection at Rock Island Arsenal. He was responsible for the final inspection of new and overhauled small arms. He served in that capacity until 1958. All small arms inspected under his supervision bear the markings "RIA" for Rock Island Arsenal and "EB" for Elmer Bjerke.

Frank Krack was Assistant Foreman of the Inspection Division at Rock Island Arsenal from September 17, 1941 until he retired on July 19th, 1946. During that period all small arms inspected under his supervision would be stamped with his initials "FK" as well as those of the Rock Island Arsenal "RIA


Arsenal overhaul and inspection stamps

Now if I can find out who was in charge of RRA in from WWII to 1960 might be his initials?I have another thought the the gun came in a RIA box must of been how things were sold to the public you know central store front to say?Kinda like this story/search
 
I tracked down this ...........then I noticed Scott Duff name I have his M1a book excellant! and I have an M1 carbine book out back though I think it's USGI issue??

Carbine Rebuild Markings



Anniston Arsenal: AN
Agusta Arsenal: AA
Benicia Arsenal: BA
Mt. Rainer Ordance Depot: MR
Ogden Arsenal: OG
Raritan Arsenal: RA
Red River Arsenal: RRA
Rock Island Armory: RIA [EB] or RIA [FK]

San Antonio Armory: C-SAA
Springfield Armory: S.A. or S.H.M
Standard Products STD, PROD, RWH
Underwood .U.
Credit Scott Duff and Larry Ruth

M1 Carbine
 
Good info there, Thanks!

This is cool, learning about this Carbine's history

Here's a site I came across while searching for clues, loaded with good information:
The U.S. Caliber .30 Carbines - Post WWII

Been awhile since I looked at that site had to add to favorites again.Interesting tidbit there also showing a stock hit twice for rearsenal so is armourer's mark or another rearsenal?I am thinking maybe RRA first rearsernal with CSA as the second just why not CSSA.I have not found anything yet on RRA's history might email Stan if he can track anything he is not far from there.
 

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