Examining the IAI Model M888, a commercial made M1 Carbine

The IAI Model 888 M1 Carbine was made between 1996 and 2003 from USGI surplus and new commercial made parts. The receivers were made of cast steel, some in the USA and some in Spain (on later models). New barrels and stocks were supplied by various manufacturers. USGI parts were used when they could be found and acquired. There were reviews in a couple of gun magazines and the American Rifleman about the IAI M888 M1 Carbine, and the American Rifleman article cited shooting tighter groups with it (because of tighter chamber tolerances) over surplus USGI M1 Carbines.
Auto-Ordnance, which made parts for the IAI produced M1 Carbines, may have been influenced to start its own line of M1 Carbine replicas a few years after IAI went out of business. At the 2004 S.H.O.T. show, Kahr Arms which had the rights to the Auto-Ordnance name, displayed a very similar looking M1 Carbine for their initial model that had a steel hand guard like the carbine in this video.
I bought my IAI M888 M1 Carbine back in 2004 because I wanted to save wear and tear on my other M1 Carbine, a USGI Quality Hardware. There is an issue with the bolt hold open, the indent on the receiver rail appears to be too shallow to hold the catch; other than that, I’ve had no reliability issues with this rifle.
I examine my IAI Model 888 M1 Carbine in this video, which has the American made receiver. A detailed story of IAI and its successor company American Legends, Inc and their M! Carbine models is very well documented at:
www.m1carbinesi...

[@jamestompkins7928]

I worked for Liberty Armory in Liberty, Texas who built these firearms from 1999-2003 and totally loved my job!!

[@thegunbarracks6064]

I like my IAI carbine. Maybe speculation on my part, but they could be among the last commercial M1 Carbines ever mass produced, that extensively used USGI parts and all the better they were made in place with a tradition in firearms like Texas. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@geodes4762]

I have one of these and never ever had an issue with it. The receiver and barrel I believe are the only parts not USGI

[@thegunbarracks6064]

@@geodes4762 Your right! Receivers and barrels were commercial made. Some of the later receivers were made in Spain. There might have been other miscellaneous parts that were commercial made. The owners of IAI obtained USGI parts where they could and if the price was right. For other parts they had them manufactured. I never had any issues with my IAI M1 carbine either. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@texascelt8363]

I have a IAI and love it one of my favorite guns

[@thegunbarracks6064]

Built in Texas! As I mentioned in the video, IAI was probably one of the last companies to mass produce commercial M1 carbines with USGI surplus parts. A favorite gun of mine too. Thanks for watching and commenting!