You mean until my wife takes it out to go shopping for more clothes?

Because once it starts, other people see it as an invitation to tell their personal story, which is why I posted that.  I don't mind reading other experiences; was just thinking this was more of a sticky note worthy technical thread. It doesn't mean you or I are right if other people do it. Lots of people smoke meth, for instance. And eh, maybe I'm wrong and it's a good thing for this thread to get those personal experiences too...because it's gonna happen I guess.

Let me add some personal experience (again) for educational matters: a few long timers will try to cheat you in your early enthusiasm (and ignorance). Maybe they think you will never learn the difference because that's the way it was before the internet when people weren't so connected to good people and good info. What did I do to combat being cheated if I couldn't evaluate it myself? So-and-so would contact me to sell something or I'd respond to a sale add, I'd get the part, install that newly bought safety on my Carbine and post a pic on the forum that I bought it on to show people my new purchase that I was excited about. And a knowledgeable poster would spot the questionable part (if it was) and he'd post a response on the thread. It was simple and effective. If a seller knows you're going to share pics of the part, they're more likely to be honest. But people will still try to cheat you.

I started about 8 years ago I think. I'm pretty new. Not like guys who claim 25 years, right? Guess what? Length of time means almost nothing. Because immediately I experienced long time 'collectors' trying to scam me on parts and it was happening on CMP where I first joined and started looking for stuff. There are some great people there but a few scammers too. Sometimes people make mistakes selling a part, but I'm talking about people who will intentionally lie in order to scam you. Most of them are still active on Carbine forums and still actively lying in public about their Inland with newly produced fake rear sight they claim as original because they've owned it x years, or maybe  it's their Rockola with flip sight staking but has an adjustable sight they claim is original. So, develop a relationship with a knowledgeable person but don't expect everything for nothing. Help them out finding what they are looking for too.

Last point: as a 7 yr-10 month accumulator, I keep encountering guys who claim XX years of experience and pretending that it means something. What we know is it means you bought stuff cheap way back and know when you're cheating someone. It doesn't mean that you are any better at spotting fake stuff, because when I notify a seller or collector that his rear sight is not USGI, I keep reading the same reply about how they've "been doing this since before you were born"---and they're still terrible at what they do because the part is 100% fake. Most of them know it's fake and are just lying, and they don't like you calling them out on it. That seller in Myrtle Beach said the same and then said most of the members of the old Carbine Club newsletter days could never spot real or fake parts either (does he know because he sold them those parts?). He accused me of being one of those guys. Ack-shoe-ally, no. I've only been active since 2011 and I think I owned 2 newletters back when that form of the club was active. Being wrong is typical of people who brag about how long they've been doing this.

I guess those guys don't realize how incompetent they sound bragging that way. It's like when I started drumming, I'd meet guys who would claim they've been drumming for 25 yrs!, saying it like an authority. And I'd think to myself that I've been drumming for 3 yrs and can do at least as much as they can do. And Jacob Armen at 7 years old was on the Tonight Show doing something most drummers never did (or will do) while proving it can be done in what, 5 years if he started drumming at 2 yrs old.

That Carbine I showed pics of is what to look for. It came from seller fanrun and was advertised as a worn original. While most of my buys are at least satisfactory, that one you can judge if it was badly misrepresented without my opinion. Reproduction flip, prior bayonet band wear on barrel, huge divot behind rear sight from previous type III adjustable sight, etc. for over $1300. Sellers have learned you won't waste money sending one back at a certain price point. You already paid to have it shipped and transferred and it'll cost more to send it back AND risk if they'll refund your full payment. If you were already misled, the liklihood that they'll also do it on the buy-back is high. Being offered a buy-back at your expense after a seller's misrepresentation is an insult to injury. They'll behave as thought they're doing the right thing for not doing the right thing. Other buyers on this forum have parlayed their similar experience to me with that seller.

My first buy was an early Plainfield from a friend for way too much, but I was told prior to buying it that it was too high (350 in about 1993-4, which is like $600 today). It turned out to have a spectacular type II band that made it a decent buy 20+ yrs later. I wasn't into Carbines then. It was just a gun that was available close to me. 2011 is when I got into Carbines as a hobby after buying a Winchester spring tube mixmaster for $400 from a pawn shop (less than $500 today?).

And usually after you just "bought" one! or two! 

Patience is a virtue that will pay off in $$.

(Do as I suggest, not as I do.)