It's true that many of the M-1 carbines and most of the M-1 rifles have experienced mixture of parts at some time in their history. M-1 rifles were used longer than the carbines in US service; accordingly, they were surplused later and had longer to get used up and rebuilt. Some of the M-1 carbines were surplused out through the DCM in the 1960's. Of the DCM-sourced carbines, some were very nice original pieces. I had an early Inland with the rear flip sight, beautiful reddish stock about 97%, all original condition that came from DCM. They're out there, but don't change hands very often. Greasy, mis-matched junkers are more often seen.
M-1 rifles have been expensive relative to other mislurp rifles for as long as I can remember. When I was a teenager in the 1960's, you could get a very nice original Mauser 98 for $25-30, but an M-1 cost $100. I don't know if the DCM was selling the M-1 rifle then; M-1's were still heavily used by the reserve components and the ROTC.
The best deal on an M-1 rifle that I can recall was when I bought one of mine in the 1980's for $165 from the DCM, but when the CMP came along that all changed.
When the DCM was selling them, I don't recall them offering them in grades. People I knew who bought them in the 1980's might have gotten a late-date Springfield that was nearly unissued; a reconditioned WW2 rifle with a new 1960's barrel; or a banged-around M-1 that had seen much service in the ROTC.
I remember when the Korean surplus M-1's were imported, and a knowledgeable friend of mine said, "This will knock the floor out from under M-1 rifle prices." It didn't. I don't think a number significant enough can be imported to do that now. The population is constantly expanding, and it seems like within that expansion there are always a certain number of re-enactors, gun collectors, WW2 fans, etc., who will want an M-1 rifle. Yet, the supply remains finite.
Legislation could always dim the attraction of owning an M-1 rifle. However, all models of this kind of law currently in force or under consideration target detachable magazine design weapons, not the fixed magazine of the M-1. In fact, this feature might make the M-1 rifle more attractive if people are limited in buying detached mag semi-auto rifles. All bets are off if some significant legislation comes along that targets all semi-autos.
CMP prices might seem high to some, but at least they sell an honest rifle that won't have a rewelded receiver.
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