
Johnson 22 Spitfire M1 Carbine Sporter 5.7mm USGI Parts Semi Auto Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1526
LSB#: 220111MZ007
Make: Johnson Arms. New Haven, Connecticut
Model: 5.7mm Spitfire Carbine (.22 Spitfire Carbine). Custom Deluxe Sporter Variant.
A converted M1 Carbine.
Serial Number: 1034
Year of Manufacture: Mid 1960’s. Johnson Arms closed shop in 1967.
Caliber: 5.7mm Johnson (.22 Spitfire). A necked down .30 Carbine casing with a .222 caliber bullet.
Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine.
Markings: The top front of the receiver is marked “JOHNSON ARMS / NEW HAVEN, CONN. / MMJ 5.7” (faded) and the top rear is marked with the serial number. The right rear of the trigger group is marked “BE-B” which is a USGI mark. The hammer is marked “HN” which is a USGI mark. The inside of the operating slide is marked “AOB” which is a USGI mark. The magazine release is marked “M” which is a USGI mark.
Barrel Length: Approximately 18 Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set atop a short ramped base and under a removable protective hood. The rear sight is an adjustable aperture. The right & top are marked with small “lines”.
The left side of the receiver is drilled & tapped with 5 holes that can be used to secure and optic. Three of the holes are below the woodline.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a pistol grip, fluted comb, raised cheek piece, barrel band, checkering on the grip & forearm, plastic grip base, and a plastic butt plate. The stock shows several scrapes & scratches as well as spots of mildew. The finish shows surface checking. Many of the marks have damaged or removed areas of the finish. The left side of the stock shows a long repaired crack that extends from the magazine well into the forearm checkering. It is visible on the interior of the stock. The bottom of the grip shows a repair. Cracks are still visible around the repair. The LOP measures 14 1/2 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original. The USGI parts were refinished when the rifle was built.
Bore Condition: The lands are bright. The muzzle & grooves are semi bright. Areas of the muzzle are grey. The rifling is crisp. There is erosion at the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The metal shows light scrapes & handling marks. The barrel shows thinning and some discoloration from oxidation, under the barrel band. The left side of the trigger group shows some thinning. The bottom of the trigger group has surface erosion bleeding through the finish. This area shows discoloration. The right side of the receiver shows some thinning consistent with cycling. The markings are clear. Some of the receiver markings are faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a 5 round magazine. It shows scrapes & oxidation. It is in Very Good condition. Two extra rear sights come with the rifle. One is a fixed aperture and the other is an adjustable aperture marked “WILLIAMS”. They show use and are in Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The Johnson Arms 5.7 Spitfire Carbine is also known as a .22 Spitfire Carbine. This 5.7mm Spitfire Carbine is the Custom Deluxe Sporter Variation. It was made in the mid 1960’s. Melvin Johnson, the creator of the famous Model 1941 Johnson Rifle, developed the 5.7 Spitfire round and the 5.7 Spitfire Carbine. Johnson initially marketed these to the U.S. military with little success. He then marketed different variations to the public. One variation was a standard M1 Carbine chambered in 5.7mm. The other variations were Sporting Rifles. This Spitfire looks good and still uses some USGI parts. This 5.7mm Spitfire M1 Carbine variant is a good fit for a collector or the reloader.
Good luck.
