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Here's my 2 cents. I looked into modern copies, but ultimately went with a G.I. carbine just because of history. Plus the G.I. versions are not getting any cheaper. I paid $800.00 last Christmas for mine. My carbine is a 2/43 Inland that was rebuilt at Augusta Arsenal post war. As others have noted, magazines are the carbines weak spot. I only use G.I. 15 rounders and have not had a problem. I also have a set of spare springs incase of future need.
No you don't! Buddy of mine has an original Jonson Spitfire and while a great idea the ammo is problematic.toby 1,
FIRST, WELCOME ABOARD.
Fyi, I really LIKE your carbine.
It's my plan, after Jessie at JES re-formats my next .30-06 Remington pump rifle into a DANGEROUS GAME RIFLE in .400 BROWN-WHELEN IMPROVED, is to find a bare M1 carbine receiver, a reproduction folding "paratrooper" stock (the Indonesian/Malaysian copies at about 125.ooUSD are virtually impossible to tell from originals), the relevant small parts & a barrel, by SHILEN in .22 JOHNSON SPITFIRE.
Then I will assemble that good-sized pile of wood/metal into a "clone" of the JOHNson/MMJ "jungle carbine" for my compact truck-gun.
yours, satx
Satx, are you a member at the CMP forums? If not, look at joining. It takes awhile to get approval. After that, check the carbine marketplace for sale ads. Carbine receivers come up fairly often. The members over there police themselves pretty well and the shysters are called out immediately.
No you don't! Buddy of mine has an original Jonson Spitfire and while a great idea the ammo is problematic.
Cases splitting. There is a reason why you don't see Johnson Spitfires!baboon, What is "probematic" about MAKING .22 SPITFIRE, presuming that you are already a competent reloader??
yours, satx
I doubt he would sell it as he says it an original Johnson built carbine. A few years back when he dragged it out I said something about selling it. He looked @ me like I kicked his dog.baboon,
Ask your buddy if he wants to sell the carbine. - I can get it to shoot properly, even if it means screwing on a new barrel.
yours, satx
He claims Melvin Johnson himself built this one. I can't remember what provenance he has on it.baboon,
I've always wondered "WHAT exactly" that an "original" MMJ carbine may be, inasmuch as ALL Johnson carbines are "conversions" of an existing .30 caliber GI M1 carbine.
(That's WHY I'm planning to assemble myself a "Johnson clone", as I'm looking for a "shooter".)
yours, satx
He claims Melvin Johnson himself built this one. I can't remember what provenance he has on it.
Because of the presence of "Israel" in the company name, IAI has frequently been confused with Israel Military Industries (IMI), the civilian sales division of the military weapons manufacturer for the nation of Israel. Because of their use of the initials IAI, this company has often been confused with Irwindale Arms Incorporated of Irwindale, CA. Israel Arms International was not related to either of these companies.