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Crosman M1 Carbine BB gun looks like its ancestor!

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By B.B. Pelletier

Now here’s an airgun you can really get used to! Not only does it resemble the real M1 Carbine very closely, it’s also one of the most powerful spring-piston BB guns around.

Inspired by the real thing!
The M1 Carbine was a re-skinning of Crosman’s successful model 350 BB repeater – so-named because that was the muzzle velocity. Careful attention was paid to make the M1 Carbine a close copy of the real thing.

Crosman-M1-web
The Crosman M1 Carbine is a realistic copy of the World War II carbine.

A springer in deep disguise!
For more than 20 years, I had assumed this BB gun was powered by CO2. First, because it was a Crosman, and they made so many CO2 guns at the time the M1 Carbine came out. The second reason was because I could not figure out how it could be cocked if it was a springer. At the time, I knew nothing about Quackenbush spring guns.

How it cocks
To cock the carbine, you grab the barrel and pull it back toward the receiver. Or, you can push the barrel back, but be careful not to put your hand in front of the muzzle when you do. This takes some real muscle, making the carbine a gun for older teenagers and adults, and even then not everyone will be able to cock it. The Daisy model 25 is somewhat hard to cock, but this gun is quite a bit harder.

Because a hand was on the barrel at the muzzle every time the gun was cocked, most M1 Carbines I’ve seen have well-worn finish in that area. Therefore, a gun with pristine finish should be worth a good premium.

The neatest thing
What looks like a magazine hanging down is actually a detachable box for carrying BBs. You have to remove them and load them into the gun or they’ll just be ballast for your gun. More than half the carbines now in existence have lost their magazines, and an actual magazine is worth about as much as the gun, itself.

M1-mag-web
What looks like a magazine is
just a box for storing BBs.
The plastic lid slides back to open.

The powerplant in this gun is unique in the annals of airguns. As far as I know, only the Crosman 350, 3500 and M1 Carbine airguns have the poppet-type valve air control device. A flexible poppet valve very reminiscent of an automotive-type valve gives the gun its extra power. The air virtually explodes out when the valve is finally overcome.

The wood stock is best!
The gun was made with a wooden stock during the first year, then Crosman introduced a plastic stock with realistic wood grain pattern. They called the material Croswood, and it went on to become their stock material of choice for many years.

While the gun has a very fancy peep sight in the rear, accuracy is about standard for a BB gun. I can keep five shots in an inch and a half at 20 feet.

You should be able to find one in shootable condition for $50 to $60 without the magazine. With the mag, they’re going for $90 to $100 today.

228 thoughts on “Crosman M1 Carbine BB gun looks like its ancestor!”

  3. Mr. Pelletier,

    I was wondering where you obtained this information. I contacted Crosman and they said the gun was developed in the 1960’s. I also wanted to know if there was by chance that there were still any places that sold them. I have a bad time looking them up since thats why i asked you? Can you help me out?

    Sincerely,
    Craig A. Poling
    foxes76133@yahoo.com

  5. I have one of these M-1 rifles and until now have not found very much info on it. I have not rebuilt it yet and I do need a magazine for it. Any ideas where I might find a mag. It has been fired alot and has little muzzle velocity but it is in very good condition. New gun to own and it creates alot of talk when people see it.

  6. Finding a magazine will be next to impossible, as there are more guns than magazines, today. A few years ago, someone made up some solid cast plastic magazines that are the same size and shape on the outside. They fit into the mag well and look fine, they just don’t have BB storage.

    Contact John Groenewold at 847-566-2365. He can probably fix your gun, sell you the parts and perhaps he has a line on one of these fake magazines.

    B.B.

  7. After reading this about the M1, I looked in my hall closet and there it was, hidden away for many years. Took it out, oil and loaded it and fired away in my garage.
    Thanks for reminding me of this lost treasure that I will now keep handy. It brought back many good memories.

  10. Loading the carbine.

    There are two holes on top of the upper handguard. The front one is the loading port. Pull the operating handle back and the port is opened for up to 23 BBs. They feed via gravity, so as you pull the barrel back, keep the butt low so a BB will feed.

    That’s it!

    B.B.

  12. Friedrich,

    I’m not aware of a BB gun per se, but there is an M14 airsoft gun that’s extremely realistic, and there’s a pellet rifle made by Tong Il in South Korea that looks like a Garand. It’s a single shot multi-pump pneumatic.

    B.B.

  13. Well… it is no wonder that today the magazines are more rare than the gun itself! I remember the day I lost mine, in a field full of tall grass. I must have bumped the magazine (pushing upward into the gun) and disengaging it from the BB gun as it fell into the tall grass, never to be fouind again.

    Belive me, I tried looking for it again and again! I felt as though I lost a part of me. I will never forget the day I got the Crossman M1 Carbine BB Gun on Christmas day in 1969… and loosing the clip that summer in 1970.

    It was about 6 years later when the plastic stock broke right above the rifle butt, and then later with great disapointment letting the gun lie to rest in the trash can…. after many repeated attemps to glue or expoxy the rifle back together. Boy, was that a sad day!

    D. Jones

  15. Greetings from England.
    I recently found one of these at a yard sale(I think that would be what you call it) and paid £10 for it. The rifle was in it’s original box and still had the magazine.
    After a bit of head scratching I figured out how to load and cock it and was surprised a)it still worked and b)how much fun it was.
    I was able to ventilate coke cans at 30ft without too much effort.
    When did they stop making these?

  16. Hi, Stumpy,

    You mean a boot sale, mate?

    Isn’t it a neat little airgun? Oil it through the rear hole in the upper handguard. Four drops of good airgun silicone should do the trick. The firing valve is a strange type of poppet valve that I’ve not seen in another airgun. It develops some real power!

    For a tenner you got a real deal! Now, let’s just hope you can keep it awhile.

    The M1 carbine ended production in 1976, according to the Blue Book of Airguns, sold on this site.

    Congrats,

    B.B.

  17. Yep boot sale. I will take good care of it. Do you ship to the UK? As I would like a copy of the Blue Book as I have managed to pick up a few older American air guns which I would like to know a bit more about.

    Regards
    Stumpy

  19. Wow this brings back memories. I had one of these with the plastic stock and a Daisy lever action. I was able to find the Daisy in my mom’s house but can’t seem to find the Crossman 🙁

    Would love to find one now.

  21. My M1 came in today. By some miracle, I still have the original magazine that came with my M1 many years ago. Now I need some info on replacing the seal (not much power left at all) and the spring mechanism that helped hold the magazine in place. Any ideas????

  22. Trip,

    The M1 carbine uses a strange flapper-type poppet valve. The same valve can be found in a Crosman V-350 or V-3500 BB gun, so look to them for parts. They are usually available for cheap.

    The magazine spring is a simple coiled wire spring that you should be able to find a replacement for. All it does is push down on the fake mag (it’s really a BB reservoir) to hold the front lip in place in the stock.

    B.B.

  23. Thanks. I’ll see what I can find. I’m going to tear it down this weekend and give it the treatment it deserves. A quick breakdown last night revealed a cleaner than expected gun.

  30. The answer to that is, I don’t know. Can you?

    This is not a commonly offered airgun. You have to haunt the classified sites and the auctions to find them. I see them on the auctions all the time, but never for cheap. About $100 is the going price for one like I used for the posting.

    B.B.

  32. SVNFLDRLS,

    The BB magazine is rarer than the gun. I doubt you will find a used one. Some airgunners have made solid plastic replicas that make your gun look right and they sell for about $35.

    A wood-stock M1 Carbin is good shooting condition without the mag is worth $60-75. An excellent gun with the mag and original box brings $175-200.

    B.B.

  37. I also have a Crossman M1 Carbine BB gun that I have had since I was a youg boy. I am 51 now and it is still going strong. I really did not play with it much, I really wanted it because at the time it was a close as I could come to matching my father’s real Carbine. It is in excellent condition. Any idea of the value of a gun in excellent condition? I know that it is hard to price without actually seeing it.

  38. I can come pretty close, but I need a little more information. Is the stock wood or plastic? Do you still have the magazine (which is really just a BB-carrying box)? Do you still have the box it came it?

    There are two wear areas on the M1 Carbine. One is up behind the muzle where your hand holds the barrel to cock the gun. The second is at the junction of the barrel and stock, where the barrel slides back when cocked. How does your gun look in these two places?

    Tell me that and I can give you a price range.

    B.B.

  39. The stock is wood. I still have the original magazine and magazine cover but not the original box that the gun came in. The two areas of the barrel that you mention have no wear at all. My grandson really wants it not as a shooter but as a collector piece. I am sure that he will eventually end up with it.

  40. You have a $175 to $200 airgun. It would be a shame to shoot it if it’s that good. Why not look for a nice shooter for your grandson?

    I bought a nice M1 Carbine in the original box for $100 about five years ago. It came with the magazine,too. It shoots hard, but it’s a shooter with some finish wear and it has the common plastic wood-grained stock. One like that should still be available for $100-125 today.

    B.B.

  41. Hi,
    thanks a lot for this informations.
    What size of BB does the gun need?
    Is it possible to modify original M1-magazines as replacement?
    You have mentioned the M1 Garand from Tong-Il. Do you have a hint where I can find one?
    Best regards, Dr.K.

  42. Dr. K.

    The M1 carbine magazine is too large to be easily modified to fit the Crosman. Try contacting Bryan & Associates for a solid plastic placeholder magazine. They show it on their website bu list it as NA.

    http://www.bryanandac.com/new_page_4.htm

    The Crosman takes a standard steel BB, made by Daisy and Crosman. They have no stated size but they are 0.171 to 0.173-inces in diameter.

    As for the Tong-Il rifle, Robert Beeman is the only person I know who has one. His is the one shown in the Blue Book of Airguns. I would think you might find them in Korea, if you have any contacts there.

    B.B.

  43. Hello There BB

    I have one a wooden stock Crosman M-1 that I bought new as a boy.It has the clip however the lever on the slide you pull back to load bb’s has broken off and the top metal piece that the sights are attached to is also broken but intact.How much would it cost to restore and would it be worth it to pass down to my son or should I just sell it off and if so app how much would it be worth then ?
    Thanks
    Jimmy
    jcamp3@triad.rr.com

  45. i had one of these rifles when i was a kid. my parents bought me one back in 1977. it was a display model with no magazine, but it had the box and booklet inside. the store gave us 10 bucks off. i went home and ordered another magazine for 8 bucks. i believe it was lost when my parents moved back in 1985…it was left in the attic i think. i am going to get another though. i thought about that rifle many times over the years and out of nowhere i see this online.

  47. Hi B.B.,

    you wrote:

    “The Crosman takes a standard steel BB, made by Daisy and Crosman. They have no stated size but they are 0.171 to 0.173-inces in diameter.”

    I am not familiar with bb´s (steel), so I assumed that there are a lot of different types as we know from lead-bb´s (common diameter are 4,35mm, 4,4mm, 4,45mm and 4,46mm) and using the wrong type results in less power or sticking bullets. So I could use any steel-bb around 4,4mm?

    Best regards

    Dr.K.

  48. Dr. K.,

    I wasn’t being flip with my answer. The airsoft people call their 6mm balls BBs, and some people call anything spherical a BB, so I was just trying to pin it down.

    No, the steel BB is now an industry standard size, as I stated in the last answer. In Germany there is a much smoother steel ball made for the Diana model 30 smoothbore gallery gun. (It has two counters embedded in the stock – one for how many shots the shooter has fired and the other for the cumulative shots on the gun!) I believe that ball measures 4.4mm, which would be about 0.174-inch, but it is so smooth that it qualifies as a ball-bearing.

    The different-sized lead balls that are for zimmerstutzens don’t seem to have crossed over to the world of BB guns. However, you do suggest an interesting topic – who makes the best BBs today?

    Thank you!

    B.B.

  49. hi i have one of these guns that has a broken stock and a broken piece on top does anyone have one for sale to use as parts? and if not i have the magazine that you said was so hard to locate. i may be interested in selling. emali me at amr5080@psu.edu thanks

  50. i found one of these m1 carbines. i found it in a dressing room at my school. wierd place eh, but it was used as a prop for the drama department. as soon as i saw it i knew i needed to have it. when i first inspected it, i thought it was gas operated because of the spring that pushes against the magazine (thought they were threads for a remote line?)

    my carbine is in poor condition, from being at a school, there is no magazine of course, no front sight, and the peep part of the rear sight is gone also. when i took it apart all the way yesterday, i lost the little spring that holds the small ball, which i assume prevents more than one round from being chambered. i had to manufacture my own.

    even though it hardly qualifies as a bb gun, it goes with my collection of medals from my grandfather even more so now that i have learned the whereabouts of his M1 CARBINE Qualification badge

    The information on this site was so help full,thank you all.

    Ethan McDonald

  51. I jut picked up a Carbine a few days ago. Great condition, very little ware, with mag, and it still has the Crosman logo sticker on it. Now just learning about it. Thanks for the info.

  55. Do you know of any M1 main spring upgrade,such as ox or any others made from square section wire?.I realize this would make it more difficult to cock,given the method of cocking.J

  57. I had one of these back in the 70’s and loved it. I never did know what happend to it, after I left home. I just ordered a New Real M1, I need a good coyote shooter.

  58. I am filled with emotion after reading this thread (wiping the tear).

    I was given my M1 Carbine back in 1972 at the age of 8 years. I had a cheap Daisy and my father, seeing my love for shooting, went out and purchsed this one for me. I have to admit, it was terribly hard cocking this gun at such a young age. I recall my father yelling at me as I placed two hands over the barrel to push it in to the body of the gun. I quickly learned how to position my two pointer fingers over the barrel sights, and pull down with all my weight. There were many long days hiking in the woods of NW NJ and where we camped in PA with my trusty M1. This gun was more accurate then others posted here. I can recall taking out rodents from 30 yards with clean head shots. This was a very powerful Airgun for its day.

    The gun suffered the typical break in the stock. There was no amount of epoxy that would fix it. I remember keeping it for years, until my mid teens, when I purged my closet and threw it away. To make matters worse, it still had the clip bb box (crying now).

    Well now Im on a mission to find one. To share the joy I knew with my own sons. There are many air rifles out there, and we have a few, but nothing compares to this replica. None. I task any of you to show me one that is as friendly, attractive, and powerful while being a replica. If anyone is willing to part with one for the right price, accpepts paypal, I am willing to pay very well. You can not place a price on childhood memories.

  63. Still no luck. Made a classified, and had a response, but some reason the person didnt want to deal with a buyer from NJ. I am willing to do it through a gun dealer, whatever it takes. I really want one for my boys. Just bought another pumpmaster today, and they enjoy it. But now I have them all anxious for a miracle. 🙂

    I have family in PA if that helps.

  64. FatherGamer,

    Two comments above yours is a man trying to sell a carbine. He gives his email address. Did you contact him?

    Thge reason nobody wants to deal with a buyer from New Jersey is that your state declares airguns to be firearms. They will prosecute anyone selling airguns through the mail without an FFL.

    B.B.

  65. Wow! What a wonderful memory! I had one of these when I was about 10 years old. Let me tell you, my brothers were all jealous. They had Daisy CO2 and other stuff but, when they seen this M1 shoot they couldn’t beleive it. I remember the gun being very rugged and accurate. Lately all my shooting has been with the real thing but I am re-discovering the joy of backyard plinking. I’d love to find another one of these Crossman M1’s. What a kick!

  69. I got a carbine from a store in Monroeville, PA back in 1975 and loved it. I lost the magazine while out in the woods one day, and then the front site came off. I kept the gun all the time I was in the Navy and sold it to a kid at a flea market when it was on it’s last legs. I just got a replacement in this week that I found on an auction site. Price was $112 (including shipping). The gun has a plastic stock and is completely intact (including the sliding cover on the mag) with a little wear on the barrel. It also has the original box with the orginal cardboard packing in it. Opening that box was like going back in time.

  70. I have my origial Crosman M1 Carbine (real wooden stock) and all intact & very nice. My grandfather sold these back in the late 60’s & had this one I own now as a demenstrator, it was used to show his customers on his route, if he got enough orders, he could keep this one, & yes, he sold the amount he needed to sell & gave me this one. I would never part with it, I cherish this baby.

  71. I got mine when I was 12 using lawn mowing money. It still looks like new, except for the old “Fly Navy” sticker on the stock. Still works – my 10yr old son plays with it.

  75. Sorry, but because this is an airgun blog I did mean the Crosman M1 Carbines, which are the BB guns. I forgot they also sell the .30 caliber M1 Carbines there, too.

    Yes, you can find a Crosman M1 Carbine BB gun on either Auction Arms or Gun Broker.

    B.B.

  76. I had one of these with a plastic stock, went shooting one cold winter day, cocked the gun and the stock broke. Couldn’t believe it as I loved that gun. Bought it at Kmart.

  83. This is all interesting to read! I’ve just got one of these out of my garage, original box and magazine, plastic stock, I remember going to get it with my uncle from a place in London called Sussex Armoury around about 1980, so excited when I got it and it’s one that I’ve never got rid of unlike other air rifles I’ve had, moved recently so got it out the old loft and that’s why it’s in the new garage, great to see all the interest in it, thought I’d look it up on the net to see if any info and there’s all this. Couple of things I’d like to know though, it seems a lot smaller than when I remember it as a 12 year old, is it based on the full sizr one, and is it easy to strip and clean, it all works perfect but would like to give it a once over? Thanks, Gav

  88. for those of you that need a replacement stock, as I do, I spoke with John Groenewold and asked about a replacement. He has wood stocks machined from originals that are semi-inletted but not finnished. For a mere $150.00 you can get one…….needless to say, I am still looking. I wonder if Brownells Acryglass would hold???
    JIM

  91. hi,these rifles do still come up cheap.i brought one in an auction in november,plastic stock,perfect working order,good condition but no magazine for £7/$15,so keep looking.Dave.

  95. I have an M1 carbine that I received as a birhtday gift somewhere in the early 1970’s. It is in excellent condition, and I still use it to this day. I have been teaching my 10 year old son to shoot with it, and it brings back all these memories of when I was a kid. It still has the mag, and the muzzle velocity is still pretty good. It will pierce an aluminum can at about 25 feet.

  96. Hello,

    maybe I have a source of replicas of the magazine (metal, no “solid” plastic stuff). The disadvantage: making only a few is to expensive, the price only drops to a reasonable amount if a lot of specimen a manufactured. If so a price of around 70,- US$ is possible. So I would like to know the number of magazines which could be ordered.

    Greetings, Dr.K.

  98. Hi,

    I’m a dealer at a flea market in Georgia and I came across one of these today. A guy stopped at the store and wanted to sell me a couple pieces and furniture. I paid him $60 and as he was about to leave he reached in his back seat and pulled out this little rifle and told me he’ll throw this in for free. Being a busy Sat. I didn’t think much about it just threw the rifle in my truck and went back to work.
    So I get home from work tonight and turns out the little rifle the guy gave me is a Crosman M-1 Carbine wood stock and has the mag and mag cover. It does cock and the sites are all there, I need to get some BBs to test it with but it appears everything works. It does need a little oiled and some cleanup but this one isn’t going in the store it’s staying in my collection.
    I do have a question, you mention in your initial post that the wood stock was only used in the first year of production. Can you tell me what year that was?

    Thanks,

    dmc

  100. I have a crosman model 44 single action. It is complete. I also thought ahead when coming across spare parts and bought them. Seals and all. The gaskets for the powerlets don’t seem to seal right however.What could be the problem? It worked fine until we replaced the gasket. Any suggestions or trouble shooting tips would be welcome.

  102. I Had one too! I got it for my birthday
    in 69. I loved I wish I still had it. I use to hook my left index finger around the front sight and pull back to cock it.I could shoot rapid fire from the hip.
    Crossman should put it back into production I would buy one.

  103. Great reference info here! I just bought one, for a song. Guy didn’t know what he had, said “maybe you can use this stock for something”. It’s a 66/67 model with a wood stock, great shape with the usual wear about the end of the barrel. Just knew I had to have it after I looked it over. Light wear, but complete and fully functional. Didn’t really know much about it until I found this site. Now resides in my WWII rifle collection next to a couple of its big brothers. I have an sort of unrelated question, as there seem to be a lot of knowedgable BB’ers here. Any idea where to look for parts or info on the Crosman P-38 Air Pistol? I need a grip cover for the C02 canister. I would love to put this back together to put with my newest find. Thanks, Bryan

  105. I purchased one of the Crossman M1 Carbine’s back when I was 13 years old. I’m 58 now and still have the rifle, it’s in excellent condition and still has the same power it did as when I purchased it new. It is fully operational and periodically I strip it down, lube the parts and reassemble the rifle. In 45 years of owning this remarkable rifle, I use it often out on a military reservation on one of the field sites and just plink at cans. Still can put a hole through both side with it. I have to admit that this is one rifle that Crossman built with lastability. I love it.

  108. My father taught me and my brother to shoot with this and another air rifle, he passed away a couple of weeks ago and we found the rifles, the other one which cocked by folding the barrel down but i forget the name of, has a problem with the trigger.
    the crosman fires like it did when we were kids.
    its a plastic stock with the mag and cover and its well worn from cocking but i dont care.
    my eldest sons 3 and the youngest is 2, just a couple of years until i can teach them to shoot with it also.

  111. If anyone could help me it would be greatly appriciated! I have had this gun for about 2 years now and I still dont know how to load the co2. I recently bought the little crossman cartriges but I cant find anywhare on the gun to insert them. Are there certian co2 canisters for this particular gun. The reason I think it is a co2 powered gun is because when I load a BB, pump and fire, the BB rolls out of the muzzel. THANK YOU!

  112. The Crosman M1 Carbine is a spring gun – not a CO2 gun.

    Are you pulling the barrel back until the gun cocks? Have you oiled the mechanism? Oil by standing tre gun on its butt and dropping five drops of oil down the muzzle. Let the gun stand for four hours.

    DO NOT USE WD-40 for this. Just regular oil.

    If the gun still shoots weakly, it needs repairs.

    Call this guy:

    B.B.

  113. So to fire it, you load 20 or so BBs, push the muzzle in, pull it back out, and fire? I’v been trying this and the BB just rolls out of the muzzle and hits the floor. What am I doing wrong?

  117. Nero,

    Okay, A Meteor is worth saving. BSAs are not particularly easy to work on, so unless you are very handy I recommend having the gun repaired by someone who knows what they are doing.

    If you live in the U.S., I recommend this gentleman:

    B.B.

  119. I do but they are 10 years old. I would call around to the airgun shops and just ask who might be able to help you. The man I gave your buys many of his supplies in the UK, so there are people there who can get a poppet valve from him, if need be.

    B.B.

  120. Ive had a good look around and found a bsa parts order site that lists every spare meteor part available for all versions, now i just need to work out which mark it is.

  121. Hey,

    I Can’t believe I just found mine in a utility closet at my parent’s house. It was my first Air gun (around ’73 I’m thinking)and it was cooler than anyone elses, and yes, it was harder than hell to cock. That did not, however, deter me from many adventures with it. It’s pretty battered but wonder of wonders it still shoots! I bet it hasn’t had a BB through it in at least thirty years! Got the clip too! but am missing the crosswood top piece. I’m sure I can fashion one out of real wood. Thanx for the excellent info! At nearly 45 I’m having a lot of fun reliving my youth with my nine year old son. Keep up the good work!!

    Jay

  122. There is a Booklet / Manual for sale on Ebay, I just saw it there.. M1 Crosman, for those of you who may need one! I’d like to find a original BOX for mine! The one my Grandfather gave me, see my posting on August 2006:

  123. I just bought one of these – without the magazine, of course. Thought I’d see if an actual M1 magazine would fit. As it turns out, the mag is only about 1/16″ too wide, and it’s also too long. Worst of all, there is no way to secure it in the BB gun. So I started working on it, and in about an hour and a half it was finished. Thought I’d share it with this group. Go to:

    http://picasaweb.google.com/johnnyh6/CrosmanM1NewMagazine

    I’ll be glad to answer any questions.

  125. B.B.

    You sold me.

    I have a pristine one on the way, WITH the mag!

    Got it for $149.00 and it doesn’t look like the barrel is worn either. 🙂

    Thanks again, & keep the reviews on the oldies coming!

    – The Big Bore Addict –

  132. hey fellas got married last saturday and if it wasnt for my real cool new wife i wouldnt be the owner of a in orig.box with clip and lid m1 crosman bbgun what a great weekend.one big problem though after figuring how it works i loaded it it would only hold about 14 bbs and wont shoot one out it cocks good sounds like it wants to shoot any ideas thanks

  133. Rusty,

    Your gun has some BBs jammed in the feed channel.

    Remove the 14 BBs you put inside, then drop a couple drops of lubricating oil down the BB feed hole and stand the gun on its butt for a couple hours.

    Then use a stiff by flexible wire (coathanger is probably too stiff) to fish around down inside to loosen the stuck BBs. A Crosman M1 Carbine should accept about 22 BBs, as I recall.

    B.B.

  134. Rusty,

    I would make sure the barrel is clear & try to see if there are any BBs jammed in it, both the barrel & the compartment that holds them, as well as check for any dirt, debri, or foreign objects.

    You may have to take it apart, but if you’re not comfortable doing that, I would send it out.

    It is definitely worth it!

    – The BBA –

  135. LOL it looks like B.B. & I were replying at the same time!

    B.B. is the expert, so try what he said.

    I’m fairly new to this but I have an M1 & know that it holds more than 14 Bbs, so that’s why I posted what i did.

    Good luck,

    – The BBA –

  136. thanks ijust sent for the service manual i want to make sure im taking it apart right one more question the clip has a reddish sticker somthing about crosman bb.s is that from the factory?its shaped like a stop sign.thanks again

  138. hi, i read your article about the crosman m1 carbine and it helped me alot, however, i have one in my posesion and i cant seem to get it to cock. you did say it would be hard but im a big guy and i cant get it. please help me clearify things.

  140. I second that.

    I have one & think a 12 yr old girl could cock it, so if a big guy like you is having a problem cocking it, I would listen to B.B.

    It sounds broken & what ever you do… DON’T force it!

    Also, I have personally dealt with John at JG Airguns a couple of times, & can say that he is a good guy & that is where I’d send mine.

    I don’t mean to sound like B.B.’s echo, it’s just that the M1 is a great gun & since they are getting rare, I’d hate to see you force it & make it worse. Just box it up & let John fix her up for you. They are worth fixing & definitely a keeper whether you’re a collector or not.

    P.S. I would also have John check out the mainspring & see if it needs to be replaced. Putting a new one in would make a big difference if the old one is at the end of it’s days.

    Hope that helps.

    – The BBA –

  141. wow i got one with the plastic stock and no magazine from some guy for 20 bucks i thought it looked ool didn’t know it worked,ive used it a bit and it shoots pretty well

  142. If it's in decent condition, you stole it for $20.00 🙂
    Congrats!

    If I were you, I would check with Bryan & Associates, & a few other on-line airgun sales, service, & supply shops & see if they have the clip for it.

    If not, check the airgun classifieds, & if you don't find any for sale, post a "WTB" for one. In fact you might try that first, as that is usually the place to go for the best prices.

    P.S. To the guy 4 posts up having problems cocking his M1…

    I want to add that I shot mine last week & noticed that a couple of times mine wouldn't cock either.

    The thing I noticed, was that it was ONLY when it was loaded/had bb's in it, so my guess is that yours may very well have a bb jammed in it.

    Try shaking it around, tapping the butt & barrel LIGHTY on the carpet or a similar surface & see if it will break loose.

    I'm betting that there is dirt inside keeping the bb from loading & that might be your problem.

    You might also want to try cleaning & lubing it & then shaking & tapping it again.

    If that doesn't work, it will need to be taken apart.

    Keep in mind this is just speculation due to what I recently experienced with mine, so don't go crazy on it, as there could be something broken in it, & you don't want to do more damage.

    Good luck.

    – The BBA –

  143. Hi all. Im looking for a M-1 BB gun. Had one as a kik Im 50 yrs. old now LOVED it could anyone fix me up with one ???? vary hard to find around Bloomington In.help make a dream come true for me. Lots of child hood fun with this BB gun would like a working BB gun please. Im fun422006@yahoo.com I have seen prices on here what they are going for. Thank you for your time Bob P/S This sight is great like reading all of the things people have to say about this gun

  144. Funny you mention that…. I JUST pulled mine out a couple of days ago & shot it for the first time in months.

    I have to say, it's a great gun & I'll never get rid of mine. 😉

    I was comparing it to the Daisy 1894 Lever Action BB rifle, & there is no comparison.

    Even though my Daisy had been recently overhauled with all new springs ect., my M1 shot circles around it!

    More powerful & a LOT more accurate!

    The Daisy wouldn't group better than 3" to 5" at 20 – 25 feet, but the M1 was grouping within an inch to 1 & 1/2 inches.

    Anyhow, if you want to buy one, the three most likely places you will find one, is either gunbroker.com auctionarms.com or the yellowforum – network54

    The yellow forum is a classifieds website where people post things for sale & things they want to buy, & you'll usually find the best prices there.

    The other two sites are auction sites similar to ebay.
    (ebay doesn't allow the sale of BB or pellet guns.)

    Any way you slice it, expect to pay $100 + for one depending on condition.

    The Blue Book has it at $150 in 100% condition & add 60% for one with wood stock, but chances are you will pay more, because people know that they are very hard to find in good condition, with the clip too, & especially one with the wood stock.

    Hope that helps & good luck.

    – The BBA –

  145. What a great read…at age 52 I feel like I’m back at age 10.

    I have my original wood stock Crossman M1 Carbine. I bought it with money from shoveling wintertime driveways in Iowa.

    My 10 yr old spotted the M1 beneath a clothing dresser – it’s spot of reverant rest for more than 15 years.

    It’s missing the clip but I have a good idea of where it may be.

    We brushed off the dust and fired it up. Shoots as strong as it did when I got it 42 years ago, aactually straighter with the new tech BB’s on the market.

    Look out Coke cans!

    Now to find the clip….

  146. Now THAT'S a great read!

    I'm 43 & my first BB gun was a wood stock Red Ryder that my grandfather got me for my 10th B-day.

    That was back in 1975 so there's no big value there, even if I still had it, but it was the best gift I had ever received at the time.

    I will never forget just how much fun I had with it, how grateful I was to my grandfather for giving it to me, & of course…. Just how much trouble I got in because of it! LOL

    By the time I was 14 yrs old, I had three other BB & pellet guns too. Then my mom divorced my stepfather & moved us to Las Vegas, & I never saw any of them again, along with my dirt bike too.

    I wish I still had at least that Red Ryder, but nonetheless, the memories are still there. 🙂

    It must be nice at 52 years old, to STILL have your very first BB gun which still works.

    BTW… That M1 of yours is worth some money, so take good care of it, & I HIGHLY recommend that you oil it if you haven't already.

    Hey B.B.

    What was YOUR first BB gun & how did you get it?

    – The BBA –

  147. BBA,

    My first pellet gun came to me at 9 when my father dies. It was his Benjamin 107 pellet pistol. My mom thought I couldn’t pump it. She was wrong.

    My first BB guns was a Wamo Kruger cap-firing pistol my mother bought for me when I was about 12. It didn’t work. My first REAL BB gun was a Daisy number 25 pump gun I bought from my paper route money at 15.

    B.B.

  148. B.B.

    Sorry to hear about your father.

    Since I wasn't familiar with it, I looked in the Blue Book for the Benjamin 107 but at first glance didn't see it & was going to ask how you pumped it, until I found this;

    https://www.crosman.com/2004/pdf/manualarchive/B107-OM.pdf

    & then looked in the Blue Book again, & saw which one it was.

    According to the Blue Book, they never marked any of the guns as a 107 though. It said 117, so I'm guessing maybe on the box?

    Interesting design though, AND a 2-3lb trigger! WOW!
    I'm not sure about the pump design, but with that 6-8" barrel (I'm guessing) & with that super light & crisp trigger…
    You must have really liked that gun.
    That is unless you didn't like the pumping mechanism? But judging by the last picture in that link, I'd venture to say that it was an advantage to a little or young kid, since you could put all your weight on it while using the floor or the ground, to help with on the last couple of pumps.

    From what I could find, that 100 series was the first pistol Benjamin ever made, & the three models of it were the only ones made with that style of pump mechanism.

    I'm surprised the Blue Book doesn't list it at a higher value?

    In any case, interesting design though. I wonder how they shot?

    – The BBA –

  150. B.B.

    Interesting…

    Originally I thought maybe the gun was marked 117 & the box was marked 107, & that is where you got it, but I don't doubt you for a second.

    I KNOW you've seen your fair share of airguns, not to mention that you had one, so I believe you.

    But jut so you know…

    I got that straight from the "Blue Book of Airguns Seventh Edition".

    I'm surprised at least the writers of the Blue Book haven't corrected that yet. Hopefully they'll correct it in the 8th edition.

    I wonder if the writers of the Blue Book are aware of this?

    – The BBA –

  152. BB,

    I'm not sure how to react to that?

    Part of me wants to say "Are you kidding me?"

    Part wants to understand that maybe he is bound by the info Crosman tells him, or only to visually verifiable facts, or some rule. BUT… Out of ALL people! I would think YOUR word on it, would be acceptable.
    Especially after looking on page 4! 😉 I'm sure he believes you.

    Now granted, I have never written a book like that. One that's based on values from facts, etc., nor do I know what stipulations, rules, or regulations one would have to follow if any, but I wonder what his reasoning is on that?

    In any case, I will definitely keep my eyes open, & between the gun shows, auction sites, & the classifieds, & if I can get a pic of one… You'll be the first to know! 😉

    – The BBA –

  153. I have an original M-1 Carbine and yes it has the magazine and the wood stock. which I now want to give to my son but when you cock it, two or more bb’s load. When you hold the barrel down and the extra bb’s roll into your hand. You can then fire it and it does fine. Any idea’s anyone?

  155. Dan from Indiana,
    Just found my M-1 carbine at my dad’s house were it set for 20 years still shots good, but stock is cracked sorry to say. I have a extra magazine clip in great shape even has plastic top on it if anyone wants to buy it I’ll sell it.

  162. The Crosman model 70 is a very nice CO2 rifle. It’s a .177 that shoots in the 600 f.p.s. range and is reasonably accurate. In fact, it can challenge a 160 to a match.

    The styling comes from the Winchester model 70 and the Crosman has an 11 mm dovetail on the receiver to accept a scope.

    A working model 70 in excellent condition will bring $150 at an airguns show.

    B.B.

  169. 350 f.p.s. is one of the fastest spring BB guns around. Most don’t go above 300.

    I will cover some more robust lead ball-shooting rifles in tomorrow’s blog, but be prepared to spend $500 and up, because these are collectibles.

    B.B.

  171. There are other copies of the M1 Carbine and I believe the Garand.

    What, exactly are you looking for? Because the Vz 35 is a close copy of the CZ 24.

    The Hakim is a pellet rifle that copies the Hakim battle rifle from the early 1950s.

    I don’t know what you are seeking.

    B.B.

  173. Anonymous looking or m1 carbine, garand or springfield bb rifle,

    Please join us on the current topic of discussion. Not only will you find a link to gunbroker.com that has one of the guns you’re looking for but some of the current/active dialogue among airgunners like yourself will undoubtedly be able to point you to where you may be able to purchase what you’re looking for. Join them here:

    /blog//

    Look forward to seeing you there.

    kevin

  176. Garand and Carbine,

    Do you own a Blue book of Airguns? On page 247 of the 7th edition is the Dong Ki model 106, which is the Carbine. I think they made a Garand, too, but maybe not. You’ll pay $1,500 if you can find one, as they are rare. It’s a sidelever spring-piston pellet gun.

    Of course there are any number of airsoft Garands, but I’m guessing you aren’t interested in those?

    You really do need to ask your questions on the current blog, where thousands of people can see them.

    /blog//

    B.B.

  177. Anonymous looking for an updated Springfield garand or M1 carbine bb gun,

    Hello again! I’m only one airgunner with very limited experience in bb guns. I shoot mostly firearms and pellet guns (springers). 99% of the airgunners on this blog are asking each other questions and answering each others questions under the current article. New articles are posted every day, Monday-Friday (5 new articles each week). You have posted your question in an article written in 2005 and not many people revisit the comments under such an old article. I will copy and paste your questions for you under the current article but you will need to click on the comments section under that current article in order to see your answers and ask more questions of any or all the airgunners participating in this dialogue. Here’s the link again, scroll down towards the bottom of the comments and you will be able to see where I’ve posted your questions and thereafter any answers or suggestions that people have:

    /blog//

    Look forward to seeing you there!

    kevin

  178. hi I’m 15 now but when I was twelve I was at a farmers market in upstate new York and I was walking I had twenty bucks to get all the supplies but I saw a guy selling the gun for 25 bucks I didnt know if it was a bb gun or not it just looked awesome I asked him if I could have it for 20 bucks he said ok I was so happy I ran off to my parents and they were pissed but my dad was impressed that I found the gun he told me his friend had one back in the day I then learned how to use it and have had great adventures wandering in the woods shooting beer bottles and one time I shot the annoying Ginger kid he said I could it still works great according to his screams

  182. Anonymous,

    That is correct. The Crosman M1 Carbine BB gun was desigined to use the metal bb’s. Air soft/plastic bb’s are larger than .177 caliber and should not be used.

    kevin

  184. Hi Matt,

    No, the Crosman Model M-1 Carbine cannot shoot .22’s (neither .22 pellets nor .22 rimfire bullets). The Crosman Model M-1 Carbine can only shoot BB’s (.175 caliber BB’s).

    kevin

  186. Hi Matt,

    No the Crosman M-1 Carbine cannot be found at Dick’s Sporting Goods. The Crosman M-1 was manufactured from 1968-1976.

    Matt, I know you’re looking for a vintage looking military rifle. Have you considered a present day military looking/tactical looking gun? Even a futuristic looking military rifle?

    If you would consider a futuristic military looking rifle I would strongly recommend an IZH 61 (Baikal), see here:

    https://www.pyramydair.com/product/izh-61-multi-shot-air-rifle?m=76

    If you want a current military looking/tactical gun look at these:

    https://www.pyramydair.com/product/beretta-cx-4-storm-and-ita-red-green-dot-sight?m=1395

    https://www.pyramydair.com/product/crosman-nightstalker?m=734

    https://www.pyramydair.com/product/izh-baikal-mp-514k?m=1368

    You’ll need to copy and paste these links. If the look of the gun(s) appeal to you,
    I would suggest you click on the “REVIEWS” button on each gun. This will allow you to see what
    owners of that model of gun think, the good and the bad.

    Tell me if I’m on the right track.
    I do want to help you.

    kevin

  188. Matt,

    Crosman made the A.I.R.-17, a BB and pellet repeater. Find it on page 182 of the current Blue Book.

    If you want the ultimate in realism, Scott Pilkington is about to make a, M16 upper for your lower. No cost has been announced, but expect to pay at least $500 and more likely $1,000. That will be a precision pellet rifle, not a BB gun.

    Read this report:

    /blog/2009/1/the-2009-shot-show-report/

    B.B.

  190. Matt,

    You will need to copy then paste the link that B.B. gave you. Once you’re at the Shot Show article, scroll about half way down and there is a picture of Scott Pilkington holding his new upper for a M16. Not on the market yet, but according to reports soon.

    Did you check out the crosman model AIR-17 (shoots BB’s or .177 cal pellets) that B.B. suggested?

    What do you think of that bb gun?

    kevin

  192. Matt,

    I have both the IZH 61 & the Crosman AIR17.

    The IZH 61 only shoots pellets but is very accurate & is a springer.

    The AIR17 is no longer made & is a replica that looks like the M-16. It's a pump, but you only pump it once, it's more powerful than the IZH 61 & shoots BBs AND pellets.

    BTW… I have a couple of AIR17's & if your interested in one, I can get you a nice one at a good price, & save you time looking & waiting for one on the auction sites.

    If you are, post up an email address I can reach you at, & I'll send you some pics, along with a lot of 100% A+ feed back from deals I've done on the auction sites.

    Let me know,

    – The BBA –

  193. Matt,

    Very nice gesture from The Big Bore Addict.

    This is an example of the kind of great people you will find on this blog. Remember, most of the airgunners are currently communicating in the “comments” section under the current topic.

    You can go there by copying and pasting the following link:

    /blog//

    kevin

  194. Thank you bba if i do end up wanting the air17 I will contact you. But good news I found a benjamin air rifle that looks like a garand and i have interst in the izh Mp513m pellet gun.

  195. Thank you bba if i do end up wanting the air17 I will contact you. But good news I found a benjamin air rifle that looks like a garand and i have interst in the izh Mp513m pellet gun.

  199. Matt,

    You must either be talking about a benjamin-sheridan 392 or 397. If you are, these are fine guns. Long lineage of manufacturing and quality.

    These are pumpers. They can be pumped 1-8 times and of course the velocity/power varies depending on the number of pumps you put in the gun. I own a 397 and what I like about the gun is the varying velocity, quality of build and accuracy.

    kevin

  201. WOW!, I just pulled my bb gun out of a box in pieces, put it together, Great condition, today and remembered, when I was 12 yrs old, maybe 1970ish. Shot my first jackrabbit on Christmas Day, that year….I remember the book saying that the M1 carbine fires a bb 300 ft before it starts to drop…My best BB gun. later, BB

  204. I need some help. My son has gotten the idea that he wants to use his dad's Crosman M1 Carbine.
    I have asked that he find a way service the gun.
    Can you help me find a manual about how to do this

    Thanks for any help you can give

  205. ppesky,

    There really is no "service" on this BB gun, per se. However, if you contact the Crosman Corp. Customer Service Department, I think they will send you a copy of the owner's manual.

    http://www.crosman.com

    One thing that you can do is oil the poppet valve seal with Crosman Pellgunoil. Don't use regular gun oil, but 20-weight non-detergent motor oil is okay as a substitute. Pellgunoil can be purchased through the mail from Pyramyd Air, the sponsor of this blog:

    /product/crosman-pellgun-oil?a=222

    Stand the gun on its butt for four hours and drop five drops of Pellgunoil down the muzzle. After four hours, shoot the gun with BBs 10 times to coat the poppet valve seal.

    B.B.

  208. philip,

    It sounds like you're looking for 4.4 mm or 4.5 mm lead balls. Try this gentleman:

    John Groenewold for them. PO Box 830, Mundelein, IL 60060-0830, (847) 566-2365 …

    kevin

  209. its been a while since anyone posted any info on this gun so… i just bought one in wood without the mag for 150$ less shipping. on gunbroker.com they go for with mag about 275$ so they are not cheap unless you get lucky like i did. i found mine on craigslist.com

  211. I must have stumbled on to a rare find at a rare price; won at auction a Crosman M1 Carbine w/original magazine, plastic stock, no box or manual (looking for one); it cost me $52.00 + $16.00 f/shpg. I really didn't realize what I had stumbled on Wto until I read this web site looking for a owner's manual. Does anyone know where I might obtain one? Every time I picked up an M16 my CO would make me turn it in but for some reason he didn't say anything about the carbine, but it was tough to come up with ammo for it, cal. .30 ball.

    Will Clifford

    The gun interested me because I had picked one up from a dead VietCong in Viet Nam sometime late November, 1967 (just missed my birthday). Being an officer it was cool to hve a shoulder weapon because w/o one you were a prime target, they were no fools, always gunned down the leadership first
    if they could ID you.

  213. Will,

    I have three M1's. Two plastic & one wood one. I'm on the auction sites & classifieds daily! And can tell you that the M1s, even lately in this buyers market, have STILL been going for no less than $100.00 for a plastic one PLUS shipping!

    So… B.B. said it! You got a GREAT deal!

    Here are three links that you may find useful. Unfortunately, the M1 isn't on them, but a lot of other Crosmans are.

    These links will give the dates the guns were made, manuals, & exploded parts diagrams for a lot of the Crosman pistols & rifles.

    https://www.crosman.com/airguns/service/dates-crosman

    https://www.crosman.com/airguns/service/manuals/crosman-pistols

    https://www.crosman.com/airguns/service/manuals/crosman-rifles

    These were all found here;

    https://www.crosman.com/airguns/service/manuals

    Hope those help, & congrats on a smoking deal! 🙂

    TheBBA

  214. How do I get a front sight for this BB gun? Is there a height above the barrel the front sight should be? Thanks for all the information. A M-1 was given to me and I found out how to pup and lode it on your web page.

  216. Just found one of these croswood bad boys in the attic. Can't wait to try it out. I'm thinking it was my old man's when he was a tyke. It's well-loved, though. Thanks for the info! I would have never figured out how to cock it without this article!

  217. Robert, the author of this article, "BB Peletier" will see your comment as will several of us volunteers who monitor these older blogs. Keep in mind this was written almost 5 years ago!

    If you are interested in airguns and would like to follow the current blog, you will find it at:

    /blog//

    A new blog is published Monday thru Friday. Your welcome to join us and ask questions or make comments where it will be see by thousands of similar interest folks and you will get responses. Off-topic questions are welcome.

    Good luck with your Crosman and be careful when cocking it to not put your hand it front of that muzzle?

    Fred PRoNJ

  219. Wow, thanks for this article.

    I inherited my father's rifle when I was about 12. From there, I had a great time plugging holes in the side of coke cans, but eventually I grew older, and it was lost in our attics.

    Until I found it the other day.

    Can't stop shooting the thing.

    I found some plastic replacement clips on e-bay, and I plan on buying a couple. My father lost his after two years, and never bothered finding a replacement.

    Thanks again for this article, it made me realize how special the little thing really is.

  220. I found my Uncle's old M1 in my Great-Granmother's basement about 3 years ago. It had been there for many years.
    Just recently cleaned it up and it still packs a punch when fired. Took a while to figure out how to fire.
    Reading these comments makes me feel fortunate that it is fully intact with all parts and pieces and it still fires great.
    Thanks

  222. I just purchased a M1 Crossman 1966-67 rifle today at a nearby flea market for $50 ! It even has the original owner’s manual with it and the Super BB Decal on the magazine clip. The rifle is in A-1 condition ! I had no idea what it was worth when I bought it, but it is one. neat looking rifle

    • Rick,

      Welcome to the blog.

      I think you got a real bargain. Don’t forget to oil your new gun. There is an oil hole on top of the receiver near where the BBs are fed. Then stand it on its butt for an hour to let the oil drain down.

      B.B.

  223. B.B.
    Thanks for sharing your knowledge with me. I also saw a Daisy (Arkansas) Ricochet Rifle with a plastic stock for sale for $25. I probably should have grabbed it too ! I think that I will go back tomorrow and get it, if it is still there.

  224. B.B.
    You are right. I read some articles about it on the internet. One person said that their rifle had a bar across the inside end of the barrel and it did not shoot bb’s. The other article said the rifle made the ricochet noise and fired bb’s. I can’t remember if there was a bar or not inside the end of the barrel.
    I had a 1938 or 1939 Daisy BB Pistol at one time that shot .117 bb’s. The were irregular in shape and very small compared to the .177 bb’s. I found it in the attic of a Victorian era house. I believe that it was the first BB Pistol that Daisy made, but I’m not sure about that. I sold it, but wish that I still had it. Also, I have a wind up clockwork shooting gallery that has a spinning target and ducks that are on a flexible band that the ducks move across on. I think that it was a target that you could buy to go with the .117 bb Pistol.

  225. B.B.
    I read your articles that you posted. They are very informative and interesting. I remember another BB or pellet rifle that I used to have. It was a Benjamin Franklin Rifle. It did not work though because, it was missing a brass piece. I don’t remember what model number it was. As I mentioned earlier, I am going to purchase the Ricochet Rifle tomorrow. There were two more Daisy BB Rifles at another flea market dealer’s table and I am going to check them out too. The shooting gallery that I have is metal and I can’t remember what company made it. It is in one of my storage buildings.

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