Arsenal Conversion M2's

[Mike D]

Were there any? I've always heard that only Inland and Winchester made M2's, but were there any done by rebuild facilities?

Specifically, the over stamped M2's. Were they just pulled from the new production line of M1's to fulfill an order?

Thanks in advance, Mike

[jimb]

Post-WWII many carbines (thousnds) were converted.

[Tuna]

Most were done during the Korean conflict. Many Springfield Armory M2 kits were used on M1 carbines that had been rebuilt and pulled out of storage. Some were over stamped with a 2 on the 1 and many were just converted and not stamped. Those that were not stamped are useable as an M1 again but those that were over stamped are now and always will be machineguns in the eyes of BATF.

[Garden Valley]

Anyone ever seen one of the SA M2 kits? Were all the parts in the kit made by SA?

[firstflabn]

Brophy's Springfield book lists quantities of parts manufactured each year that he found in the armory's annual reports. Unfortunately, FY48 is the last year included. If Springfield continued with that format and if the reports still exist, the question might be easily answered.

[Tuna]

In 1949 SA was ready to produce nine components for the M2 carbines. Cast slides in 1950 and cast M2 disconnectors in 1951. Later cast M2 hammers and selectors switches were made. The cast parts increased production of these parts and took less time to make then SA machining these same parts. There is a list by year of major parts made at SA. For example, 1950 26,000+ barrels, 101 trigger housings and 68,000+ stocks. 1952 175,000+ barrels, 57,900+ trigger housings and 277,000+ stocks. SA seems to have made more stocks then anything else with the last carbine stock being made in March 1967 with a total of 182,980 stocks made in the first three months of 1967. The armory was closed down after that.