IAI Cabine M888, and stuff

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   Hi, first off I would like to say after years of drooling over tv/film and print of M1 Carbines, I own my very own. A 1944ish referb National Postal Meter, Rock Island refurb, Martin barrel.  Wonderful condition, great shooting rifle.  Just tickled by this plinker.  So I am now looking at a IAI (Israeli Arms) M88 Carbine.  First what is this? I see some info saying it was made in TX, but it was a Israeli issued rifle.  Is this a refurb, new make with old parts or just a commercial make.  And are they any good?  I have the above National Postal Meter which I would like to keep as a display and I am looking to get another as a shooter.  Any help on the IAI M888?  Thanks and this is a great forum.    

10th Mountain
Above the Best

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10thMountain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Sep 16 2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote 10thMountain Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: IAI Cabine M888, and stuff Posted: Sep 16 2018 at 5:53pm
	Hi, first off I would like to say after years of drooling over tv/film and print of M1 Carbines, I own my very own. A 1944ish referb National Postal Meter, Rock Island refurb, Martin barrel. Wonderful condition, great shooting rifle. Just tickled by this plinker. So I am now looking at a IAI (Israeli Arms) M88 Carbine. First what is this? I see some info saying it was made in TX, but it was a Israeli issued rifle. Is this a refurb, new make with old parts or just a commercial make. And are they any good? I have the above National Postal Meter which I would like to keep as a display and I am looking to get another as a shooter. Any help on the IAI M888? Thanks and this is a great forum. 10th Mountain Above the Best
	Pull up, ground gets small. Push forward, ground gets big. Lets Fly

jackp1028 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Hard Corps Joined: Jan 01 2016 Location: Cloudcroft, NM Status: Offline Points: 1278	Post Options Post Reply Quote jackp1028 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 16 2018 at 6:18pm
	Hi and welcome to the forum from New Mexico! Congratulations on snagging a NPM! You can find more info on IAI carbines here: http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_iai.html
	JackP

10thMountain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Sep 16 2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote 10thMountain Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 16 2018 at 6:23pm
	Hey JackP, Thanks for the quick reply. I did find some info on the IAI. Funny it really does not have anything to do with Israel. Unless its in Texas. The one Im looking at looks great, hope it runs the same. Not really sure of its reputation at this point. Thanks
	Pull up, ground gets small. Push forward, ground gets big. Lets Fly

jackp1028 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Hard Corps Joined: Jan 01 2016 Location: Cloudcroft, NM Status: Offline Points: 1278	Post Options Post Reply Quote jackp1028 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 16 2018 at 7:00pm
	It should be okay. The barrel has a good reputation for accuracy and all the other parts are interchangeable with USGI, so maintaining it should be no problem. If the cast receiver holds up, and it should, you will be good to go.
	JackP

meckanic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Nov 30 2017 Location: Chicago Status: Offline Points: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote meckanic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 16 2018 at 7:43pm
	IAI is a civilian manufacturer no longer in business.

New2brass Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Dan Pinto, Photo Editor Joined: Nov 29 2015 Location: CT Status: Offline Points: 4664	Post Options Post Reply Quote New2brass Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 16 2018 at 8:15pm
	Hmm, family is still active, do not know if business is defunct. A large amount of those unfinished receivers are out there and one company was producing with the IAI marks. Since I believe sold off to another company in that area and produce with theos receivers on a limited basis. At local shows I see the unfinished receivers. Picked one up as a paper weight.
	Club Survey Saginaw Receivers

W5USMC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: Apr 29 2017 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 2968	Post Options Post Reply Quote W5USMC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 16 2018 at 8:26pm
	10thMountain, hopefully member swamprat will add to this thread, if not, I suggest you reach out to him via PM as he may have some good info about IAI M888 carbines.
	Wayne USMC Retired NRA Life Member

Lancer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List On Point Joined: Feb 16 2016 Location: Freeland, Wa. Status: Offline Points: 43	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lancer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 18 2018 at 2:33am
	I've got an IAI M888 in 5.7MMJ. Looks and feels just like a standard M1 carbine except for being a bit barrel heavy because of the small bore. The ones I've seen including my own have a bunch of re-finished GI parts, mine has QHMC type 4 trigger housing for example, so most if not all GI parts will fit. I've had mine for years but never shot the thing even though I've got ammunition and enough material on hand to hand load 1000 rounds. Just lazy I guess. As soon as the 5.7 came on the market I had to have one and bought it with all walnut furniture. There are a few oddities, for example the front sight is held on with a roll pin rather than a machined pin like a carbine. Taking out the roll pin can and will damage your sight pin removal tool as they are usually a bit too small to push out the roll pin but a slightly larger punch will work. Lance

swamprat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Jul 25 2018 Location: Liberty, Texas Status: Offline Points: 35	Post Options Post Reply Quote swamprat Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 18 2018 at 11:01am
	The barrels should be good to go. All USGI components are compatible. I don’t recall ever having a gun sent back ever for a receiver problem. Usually it something all missed by the people in assembly (up to 14 full time smiths at one point) with shoddy quality small parts supplied by contractor. I had and have no affiliation with IAI, only that our shop was responsible for assembly and warranty.

10thMountain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Sep 16 2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote 10thMountain Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 20 2018 at 2:02pm
	Wow I have a horror story on this gun! Just went to inspect it and found out it had a upper receiver failure at some point in the past. Upper left side just behind the bolt lug when closed, had broken off and then brazed back on! Could not believe that a "Big Name" sporting goods store did not catch this and pull it from their stock. I told this to the salesman and he just looked at me and asked if I still wanted it!
	Pull up, ground gets small. Push forward, ground gets big. Lets Fly

10thMountain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Sep 16 2018 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote 10thMountain Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 20 2018 at 2:04pm
	Thanks Swamprat and all those who replied with information. Great forum for info! Thanks
	Pull up, ground gets small. Push forward, ground gets big. Lets Fly