I have an iAi M1 carbine knock off that I picked up for only slightly more than the value of all the loaded factory ammo that came with it.

I want to use it for HD as my wife has arthritic hands, but she can work the controls on it fine. It is actually in quite good condition and is reliable with every type of ammo I have put through it. I like the idea of an HD rifle for this gun due to the low recoil which also bothers the wife. Plus it's fun to shoot and she enjoys it which makes for more practice.

Here is the part that is driving me crazy and I need help with.

The iron sights are way off when adjusted to correct point of impact. So much so that the rear sight is so far left that it screws up the sight picture.

I have thought about putting a Bushnell TRS red dot on it using one of the mounts that replaces the rear sight. The thing I don't like about that is having to remember to turn it on in the event of an emergency.

I have also thought about a low powered scope, I have a Leupold 2x sitting around looking for a job.

I am hesitant to screw around with the barrel clocking for fear of reducing the reliability, which is excellent.

I have also thought about taking off the front sight and re clocking it, then using JB weld to keep it in place.

Thoughts?

Short term - move the front sight
Longer term - sounds like it needs the alignment issue looking into fully by someone who specialises in Carbines

Agreed, if your that dedicated to a non USGI rifle send it get it done right.

I don't love the gun. I bought it cheap, it's reliable, and is ideal for my wife.

Is the rear sight base off-center?

Sometimes the base itself is off and the windage has to be cranked way over to get on target.
If it is, use a brass drift on the bottom of the rear sight base to tap it over, then inject some Loctite to secure it in place, OR you can stake it in place the USGI method using a dull center punch on the sight after cranking it over to one side so you can get to the receiver dovetail.
CAREFUL, Carbine receivers are hard and you can chip the receiver dovetail.
The idea is to move a little metal, not put in a punch mark.

To use Loctite, first use Acetone or 91% alcohol to thoroughly degrease the sight base and receiver dovetail, dry it then inject Loctite Blue or even Red into the dovetail.

If the sight base is fairly well centered, then you have something else going on that will require more expert corrections.

Yeah, pay someone that deals with M1 Carbines to get it all pointed in the same direction

Red dot or optic on a HD gun that is to be relied on by someone without a lot of experience is looking for trouble.Keep it simple.


I happen to think a M1 carbine (with straight sights !) is a excellent weapon for home defense. Light , compact, reliable and when you compare ballistics to most pistols
it is way ahead and way easier to shoot under stress.

Ok, I tore the rifle down today.

What is the best way to detect a bent barrel? It looks straight from the outside, but that doesn't mean that it is drilled straight, correct?

Also, I see no index marks so I can't tell if barrel is clocked properly.

The rifle was pretty dry of lubricants, but that wouldn't have an effect on point of impact, right?

Any more thoughts?

To check barrel straightness one aid is to place a straight edge on the left side of the receiver and see how that compares to the flats on the under side of the barrel.
This may also work to spot a bend in the forward part of the barrel.

To check for a clocked barrel, lay a straight edge on the flat of the rear of the barrel and compare to a straight edge on the bottom of the receiver.
Assuming the barrel was properly made any clocking will be readily apparent.

Often the best method is the Mark One Eyeball.

If the barrel is actually bent you may be able to see it by looking down the bore with a bore mirror and aiming it at a straight edge like a window grid.
If the barrel is bent the shadow of the reflected straight edge in the bore may look "broken".

Lube shouldn't affect accuracy, but to be sure lubricate the Carbine with a little grease on the bolt body, locking lugs, the cam surface in the op rod, the groove on the right side of the receiver, and the grooves in the barrel that the op rod "box" fit into.