An aesthetic that the AR15 can’t touch. A2

 

I have a 1978 181 Series Mini:

and a 1944 IBM

They are both so damn much fun to shoot, and as you say, "practical accuracy". I still want to find a period scope for the Mini, since finding the scope mount was such a labor.

 

For me, utility is far above aesthetics, so long as a vintage firearm can be returned to OEM configuration.

Point in case: A GI .30 Cal carbine, with a syn stock and an Ultimak rail with appropriate optic is FAR better than the OEM GI unit. I am just guessing, but I think most WWII/KorWar Soldiers and Marines would have MUCH preferred such a "modern" rifle/carbine as opposed to that which they were issued.

 

For me, utility is far above aesthetics, so long as a vintage firearm can be returned to OEM configuration.

Point in case: A GI .30 Cal carbine, with a syn stock and an Ultimak rail with appropriate optic is FAR better than the OEM GI unit. I am just guessing, but I think most WWII/KorWar Soldiers and Marines would have MUCH preferred such a "modern" rifle/carbine as opposed to that which they were issued.

I have plenty of modern guns, that look like modern guns. The aesthetics of the old far surpass the utility, even in new shoes.

 

My Carbine was rebuilt by Red River Arsenal late WW2 (possibly after the war in Europe ended, and it was sent stateside to rehab before re-deploying it to the Pacific) or just after the war.

In refit, it only had the Type II rear sight installed (the rest of the metal is original), and was put in a Winchester stock with Inland 4 rivet hand guard. The stock is stamped RRA on the side. When they came in for inspection/ rebuild, they were separated from their stocks, the barrel/receiver/trigger group in one pile, and wood in another. It is likely late war rebuild, as most post war rebuilds before Korea replaced the Type I and Type II barrel bands with Type III bands with bayonet lugs.

Iy has no import marks, and came from an estate. It is likely an 1960s NRA/DCM carbine, that were sold for cheap. The original barrel band, with partial rebuild with adjustable rear sight is typical of those guns.