Plainfield M1 Carbine .30 Carbine Semi-Auto Rifle – 18" Barrel, Parkerized Finish, Early 1960s Production
This early-production Plainfield M1 Carbine combines surplus U.S. GI parts with Plainfield’s commercial touches, delivering a collectible semi-auto classic chambered in .30 Carbine. Serial prefix “K” places it at the beginning of Plainfield’s 1960s run, while the accessory shoe on the barrel band and absence of a bayonet lug mark it as the Standard model. A parkerized carbon-steel receiver, 18-inch barrel, and full-length hardwood stock round out a carbine that stays true to wartime dimensions yet stands apart for civilian collectors.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good – showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – clean and shiny with minor wear marks.
Rifling: Good – well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The finish shows scattered scratches, blemishes, and areas of light rust and pitting, but all metal remains solid and functional.
What’s Included
- Plainfield M1 Carbine rifle
- 2 × 15-round steel GI-pattern magazines
- Olive drab U.S. GI-style web sling (installed)
- Khaki canvas buttstock pouch marked “U.S.” and “LAIRD SHOOTER 1943”
Plainfield Machine Co. produced roughly 112,000 carbines between 1962 and 1978, making this example—bearing an early “K” serial prefix—a desirable find for collectors seeking the company’s initial GI-parts builds.
The 18-inch carbon-steel barrel retains the standard M1 profile and is topped with a blade front sight protected by stamped ears, paired with an adjustable aperture rear sight for precise elevation and windage control.
A parkerized finish covers both receiver and barrel, offering a durable, uniform look that matches many original WWII carbines. Light rust and pitting are present but do not compromise function.
The hardwood stock sports the sought-after low-wood handguard and maintains the original 13.5-inch length of pull. The accessory shoe on the barrel band—unique to Plainfield’s commercial models—provides a mounting point for a light or bipod without modifying the stock.
A push-button magazine release, 15+1 capacity, and crisp semi-automatic action preserve the handling that made the M1 Carbine a favored personal-defense arm. With two period-correct magazines, a web sling, and a WWII-dated stock pouch, this carbine is ready for the range or display.