M1 Carbine

Scamp · 07-16-2011, 21:53

What can I expect to pay for a very nice Universal M1 Carbine?
Any reliability, quality issues with the Universal made carbines?

Nestor · 07-16-2011, 21:57

You don't want to buy Universal.
The best commercial one available was made by Plainfield.
Plainfield was one of the earliest M1 Carbine "replica" makers.
They assembled USGI parts to a newly made cast steel receiver.
Universal carbines were out of specification and many problems were reported.
I did some research couple of months ago.

Faulkner · 07-17-2011, 07:12

Friends don't let friends buy Universal M1 carbines. Lots of threads on the subject, but they're just not worth the potential hasle because you have about a 50/50 chance of getting a lemon.

M2 Carbine · 07-17-2011, 07:26

Don't buy a Universal. I think they are selling for about $350 now.

Decent GI Carbines are $700 and more now.

The new Kahr Carbines look good but I haven't owned one. I think they are over $500 now.

You have looked at the price of M1 Carbine ammo haven't you?
I reload so my cost is very low but factory is about $30 plus a box.

Wyoming · 07-17-2011, 08:11

If M2 Carbine says not to buy a Universal Carbine you would be wise not to.

End of post?

Scamp · 07-17-2011, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyoming

If M2 Carbine says not to buy a Universal Carbine you would be wise not to.

End of post?

Yep, that's the end of this thread!

Scamp · 07-17-2011, 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2 Carbine

You have looked at the price of M1 Carbine ammo haven't you?
I reload so my cost is very low but factory is about $30 plus a box.

$24 a box of 50 here, but that doesn't matter to me. I will avoid the Universal for now.

JackMac · 07-17-2011, 08:21

Look at ImpactArms site and see what they are going for. PS I got a Universal that was being DX'd by the Police Dept, some 15 years ago and it works well.

beatcop · 07-17-2011, 09:29

They are crap...do not buy.

The "slide" assy is stamped steel. Mine split in half at the point where it wraps around the bolt lug.

The extractor broke a couple of times.

planner · 07-17-2011, 09:38

I have a Universal M1 Carbine and it works well. Mine doe NOT have any stamped parts, BUT the larger MilSurp parts (trigger housing, op slide, barrel and gas system) will not fit. I think that MilSurp parts WILL fit earlier Universal carbines. My carbine is very reliable with factory ammo. I found that I have to use "small base" reloading dies to get fairly reliable reloads. Some of the accessories that used to be made only fit Universal and some do not fit some Universal and some fit all carbines. If it wasn't for Fed laws, the carbine has a lot of potential for "personalization", especially as a pistol, AOW, or SBR. The value of a Universal is only about $350-400, even though some people or dealers ask for more.

beatcop · 07-17-2011, 09:46

Maybe they beefed them up, but if the bolt lug pokes through the slide, as opposed to being completely covered like USGI, then I will say they are weak in this spot. It was around 1/8 to 3/16 flat stock that was stamped to make a half round shape that partially wraped around the bolt body/lug. I eventually made a "bridge" and tig'd it together...promptly got rid of it for $150 a long time ago.

You might be able to retrofit a USGI slide assy on, but the Universal uses dual recoil springs, unlike USGI, so that may not work.

I used to try every type of ammo to get decent groups...iirc it would get 4" ? groups at 100 it's been a while.

AZ Jeff · 07-17-2011, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatcop

Maybe they beefed them up, but if the bolt lug pokes through the slide, as opposed to being completely covered like USGI, then I will say they are weak in this spot.

Your description of the bolt only applies th later Universals. Early guns were carbon copies of the GI design, and are generally OK. As time went on, and GI parts sources dried up, they redesigned things to save cost, and thats when the troubles started.

chris in va · 07-17-2011, 11:06

I don't know what the heck happened, but a guy rented an M1 at the range a couple weeks ago and the round's case head broke off, splattering his face and neck with shrapnel and unburned powder. He was a bloody mess, but it was superficial. Thankfully he was wearing his safety glasses.

The range guys figured it fired slightly out of battery.

M2 Carbine · 07-17-2011, 18:20

Quote:

The range guys figured it fired slightly out of battery.

The gun is not supposed to fire until the bolt is completely closed but due to wear it's possible that the gun will fire with the bolt lugs not fully engaged with the receiver. I had bolts with cracked lugs from firing too early.

When I did a lot of M2 Carbine full auto shooting I had a quart Zip Lock bag of broken parts, bolts, slides, extractors, even a cracked receiver.

But they are still fun to shoot.

(click on picture to view)

Scamp · 07-23-2011, 16:14

What about an Iver Johnson stainless M1 Carbine, any opinions on them?

JackMac · 07-23-2011, 16:20

impactguns.com

Scamp · 07-23-2011, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackMac

impactguns.com

Thanks, but I don't understand what the link is for?

I was asking about an Iver Johnson...

Decguns · 07-23-2011, 17:36

I picked up a late production Universal about 10 years ago for a blaster. Paid an outrageous $190 for it back then. Average price right now is about $350, but I've seen them fetch more than $500 at auction.

Never had any problems with it or broken parts. Runs just fine. They come drilled and tapped for scope mounts which are still available from Numrich. Put a red dot on it and have some fun. When the stamped slide breaks, I'll weld it back together or make it into a good lamp. I'd rather put mileage on it than my Winchester and Rockola's.

Faulkner · 07-23-2011, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scamp

What about an Iver Johnson stainless M1 Carbine, any opinions on them?

Iver Johnson carbines are typically okay. Though they will interchange with USGI parts and some even came with a few USGI parts, they are not up to USGI standards. Until the Kahr M1 carbine came along, Iver Johnson was probably one of the best commercially made carbines available.

Scamp · 07-24-2011, 00:04

I picked up a very nice Iver Johnson in stainless, tore it down, cleaned it up, and am headed to the range in the morning!

M2 Carbine · 07-24-2011, 06:41

Very nice looking Carbine.

I passed on one of those years ago at a gun show. I went a couple rows and decided to go back and buy the gun. It was already gone. I still kick myself.

Wyoming · 07-24-2011, 07:37

Scamp nice looking M1 carbine. If M2 said he kicks himself for passing one by at a gun show then you did good!

M2 don't feel bad, if I kick myself for every "should have" I would be in a wheelchair now.

MY worst should was .... oh this is going to take some time to grade them all I be back in a couple of months and let you know

Scamp · 07-24-2011, 08:15

Thanks guys, it's a sweet looking gun, and I'll let you know here in a couple hours how it shoots.
I would still like a USGI version too, just missed a Rock-Ola at the same place I got this one, not the same price though!

MajorD · 07-24-2011, 08:37

the best way to go when obtaining is to start and finish with usgi.

Scamp · 07-24-2011, 17:10

Just got back from the range, and I had a blast!
First off, I have to get some more magazines, the one that I have is a stainless steel one and would not feed the last round at all. I also got tired of reloading it every 15rds.
I had it zeroed in at 100yds in a matter of a few rounds, and went through 200rds rather quickly.
I just ordered an M1 Carbine rifle service pack from Wolff Springs, a sling, oiler, and a buttstock mag pouch, and now I can't wait for the Brown truck to bring me some happy!

I also took out my Ruger Blackhawk chambered in .30 carbine and put a 100rds through it, just a great gun to shoot, but man is it LOUD!

I'd like to thank M2 Carbine for all his help, thanks buddy!