universal m1 carbine - Page 2

Lestace1 · 01-29-2008, 11:46 AM

I am a new member and owner of a universal carbine. I have had it a week and after reading all the crap about it I am afraid to shoot it. So, my question is- do I dig a hole and bury it, lay it on a hard surface and run over it with my d-9 cat, or maybe send it to Bin Laden? Why would our govt. ever allow such a piece of junk be manufactured and sold to the public? Any suggestions? P.S. By the way, I purchased it from a high ranking member of our home security here in Az.

GlockMeister · 01-29-2008, 11:48 AM

What exactly have you heard that makes you feel this way about using it? How much did you pay for it, if I might ask? Where or who did you get it from?

G-Meister

Lestace1 · 01-29-2008, 11:54 AM

Just read all the blogs about it in the forums. I will not reveal the persons name I bought it from until I get a chance this week to talk to him.

Oh yes, I paid $375.00 for it including two clips, a new hard case, and an un-issued canvas clip holder that fits on stock...

sexysete · 01-29-2008, 06:38 PM

who made it and if its a universal take the stock off and see if it has one spring on the right side of the receiver or if it has two under the barrel

M14man · 01-29-2008, 07:41 PM

I have a early 79,xxx Universal and it is well made.
It was the generation II, and III that have issues...

oldjarhead · 01-30-2008, 12:19 AM

Universal M1 Carbine Info

Check out this bit of info. It won't tell you everything you may want to know but can give some indication of what you have and may experience.

For information on the carbine overall, check out the CMP site...go to rifle sales and click on carbine. There's some good articles there. They touch on the clones a little.

Art1991 · 02-28-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldjarhead

Universal M1 Carbine Info

Check out this bit of info. It won't tell you everything you may want to know but can give some indication of what you have and may experience.

For information on the carbine overall, check out the CMP site...go to rifle sales and click on carbine. There's some good articles there. They touch on the clones a little.

After reading the info on that site, I had to break open my Universal and give it a check, the bolt, op-rod, and quite a few other parts are Inland manufactured. The receiver also has that little machining cut to keep the firing pin from hitting the primer before the bolt locks. I guess mine would have to be one of the earlier ones with a serial number of 35,xxx. I was wondering if it might be possible to put a usgi trigger housing on it?

M14man · 02-28-2008, 07:41 PM

Trigger housing should not be a problem. If it has a cast aluminum trigger housing, you may find that the new GI housing is much thinner, and the stock will have big gaps. Then you will need a GI stock.

Art1991 · 02-29-2008, 05:07 PM

Thanks for the input, I have a few GI stocks laying around so thats not a problem.

Taurus Fan · 03-06-2008, 05:14 PM

The Universal M-1 Carbines are a terrible little piece of junk. Over the years I've been exposed to 3, owned by friends who got them cheap. None of them would go through a magazine without several jams, they were very innaccurate, and after handling one I felt soiled and wanted to take a shower. I don't know if anyone makes an M-1 Carbine that's any good, but the Universals are not worth having. Shun them.

edit: This was 25+ years ago, when you could get them for $100 or so , perhaps they're better now.

jimb2 · 03-06-2008, 08:11 PM

Taurus fan...They haven't made them for 25 years. What makes you thing that they might have imporved? Only the very early ones that were almost entirely GI parts except for the receivers were decent. All of the ones that contained Universal parts were prone to problems ( 2nd & 3rd generations). Sure, an occasional one went through without problems, but that was the exception, not the rule.

Taurus Fan · 03-07-2008, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimb2

Taurus fan...They haven't made them for 25 years. What makes you thing that they might have imporved? Only the very early ones that were almost entirely GI parts except for the receivers were decent. All of the ones that contained Universal parts were prone to problems ( 2nd & 3rd generations). Sure, an occasional one went through without problems, but that was the exception, not the rule.

Oh....my....God......you mean people are paying $500 or more for these things, USED? Jebus. I'd just assumed that they were still being made at those kind of prices.

Here's a site that goes over the Universal history, looks like 1987 was the last year of production.

Universal Firearms Corp.

I'm stunned at some of the work people put into these things, it's like trying to polish a turd

rebel727 · 03-08-2008, 06:48 AM

All I can say about Universal is I've got one my dad bought new in 69. It has an aluminum trigger housing. I don't use it much now but back when I was a kid there's no telling how many thousands of rounds I put through it. It didn't like soft points but ran hard ball just fine, even out of the 30 round mags everybody says are crap. It feeds anything now since I polished the feed ramp.

oldjarhead · 03-08-2008, 05:09 PM

RemChuck, et al, for your viewing pleasure. What you want to know about Universal carbines but were afraid to ask...<grin>
A lot of stuff here.
Universal M1 Carbine Info

Capt'n Mil Coll · 03-22-2008, 07:02 PM

I am not an expert like Landtrain or Jimb2 but I shoot over 120 different military rifles every year. I had a Universal M1 Carbine in the past and it always gave me headaches. I have 5 other GI M1's and other than one that needs a new spring put in it they function very very well. I actually traded the the Universal and some greenbacks and got an M1A1 for it. My thought is stick with the US GI versions of this rifle.

jlem · 04-09-2008, 11:38 PM

I am trying to figure out why my bodies Universal M1 Carbine S/N 153249 won't fire. It will lock and cycle a round just fine. I pulled a bullet so I do not shoot a bullet threw my wall and when I fire the gun the firing pin will hit ( barely ), but does not set off the primer. I am thinking that the firing pin is just worn, but after reading about these things I might just advise my buddy to take it to a pawn shop. I even took the bullet casing and set off the primer with a nail and hammer and the primer was definately good. I tore the whole gun apart and it has the twin spring, and the really flimsy looking slide. Is it common for the bolt to be forward and locked but the slide looks like it is not all the way forward even though it is? Thanks for the help I am primarly a Mosin and Mauser guy trying to help a buddy out. He is gonna be really upset when he hears it is not a military M1 Carbine.

jimb2 · 04-12-2008, 10:06 AM

Check and make sure the piston nut is screwed all the way in. If it has backed out part of the way, it will prevent the slide from going all the way forward and can even prevent the bolt from closing properly. That could recult in a blown up carbine! Late Universals CAN fire out of battery. If they do, the results can be fatal! Make sure the piston nut is all the way in and that the bolt closes completely. Also make sure that the extractor is riding over the case rim. If it doesn't, the bolt will not complete its rotation and the firing pin won't hit the primer with enough force to fire because it will be driving the bolt forward rather than directing the engery into the primer.

Texan · 04-12-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taurus Fan

The Universal M-1 Carbines are a terrible little piece of junk. ......None of them would go through a magazine without several jams, they were very inaccurate, and after handling one I felt soiled and wanted to take a shower. I don't know if anyone makes an M-1 Carbine that's any good, but the Universals are not worth having.....

Interesting read. Guess I'd better make sure I make it to church tomorrow cause it would seem I'm pushing the envelope a little. Just got back from the range. Walked in and read your post.

Went out to do a little plinking with my Series I and Series III M1 Carbines. Guess the 30 round clips we were putting thru 'em was as big as the ones you were using Taurus....cause we didn't have any problem with put ah-h-h-h guess 300 rounds thru each. NOT one jam.

Think it might have been the ammo you were using back then. But here again we were using Bear and Tiger today..cheap stuff.

I know there have been some reported problems with the Universal but haven't experienced any with mine and my X-Son-in-law has a Series III and nothing to report on his gun either.

Oh-h-h-h, the target was at 70 yards with the Series I w/iron sights. As you can tell I need to do some more plinking...not use to open iron sights.

?????

o~\o

Capt'n Mil Coll · 04-12-2008, 11:50 PM

Well Texan Guns are just machines and like cars some are great and some are not. You are a lucky man to have such a good carbine. Only wish I would have been that lucky. And no matter who makes it they are damm fun to shoot.

Texan · 04-13-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt'n Mil Coll

Well Texan Guns are just machines and like cars some are great and some are not. You are a lucky man to have such a good carbine. Only wish I would have been that lucky. And no matter who makes it they are damm fun to shoot.

Oh, Capt'n, I couldn't agree more. Having been directly involved in drag racing, motorcycles and Corvettes all my life. I was just making my observation after JUST coming back from the range and Taurus fan's somewhat caustic remarks about ALL Universal M1s. Yes, I guess we're pretty lucky from what I've read about the Universal. BUT NOT ALL Universals are garbage.

I could make quite a few remarks about what I had to carry across the rice paddies in the '60s. BUT not ALL were bad, well, close

.

ALL is pretty encompassing word.

o~\o

01-29-2008, 11:46 AM	#21
Lestace1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	Les I am a new member and owner of a universal carbine. I have had it a week and after reading all the crap about it I am afraid to shoot it. So, my question is- do I dig a hole and bury it, lay it on a hard surface and run over it with my d-9 cat, or maybe send it to Bin Laden? Why would our govt. ever allow such a piece of junk be manufactured and sold to the public? Any suggestions? P.S. By the way, I purchased it from a high ranking member of our home security here in Az.

01-29-2008, 11:48 AM	#22
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,500	What exactly have you heard that makes you feel this way about using it? How much did you pay for it, if I might ask? Where or who did you get it from? G-Meister __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

01-29-2008, 11:54 AM	#23
Lestace1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	Les Just read all the blogs about it in the forums. I will not reveal the persons name I bought it from until I get a chance this week to talk to him. Oh yes, I paid $375.00 for it including two clips, a new hard case, and an un-issued canvas clip holder that fits on stock... Last edited by Lestace1; 01-29-2008 at 11:57 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

01-30-2008, 12:19 AM	#26
oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mansfield, MO Posts: 818	Universal M1 Carbine Info Check out this bit of info. It won't tell you everything you may want to know but can give some indication of what you have and may experience. For information on the carbine overall, check out the CMP site...go to rifle sales and click on carbine. There's some good articles there. They touch on the clones a little. Last edited by oldjarhead; 01-30-2008 at 12:25 AM. Reason: more info

03-06-2008, 05:14 PM	#30
Taurus Fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cobra Command Headquarters Posts: 810	The Universal M-1 Carbines are a terrible little piece of junk. Over the years I've been exposed to 3, owned by friends who got them cheap. None of them would go through a magazine without several jams, they were very innaccurate, and after handling one I felt soiled and wanted to take a shower. I don't know if anyone makes an M-1 Carbine that's any good, but the Universals are not worth having. Shun them. edit: This was 25+ years ago, when you could get them for $100 or so , perhaps they're better now. Last edited by Taurus Fan; 03-06-2008 at 05:17 PM.

01-29-2008, 06:38 PM	#24
sexysete Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, Wa Posts: 32	who made it and if its a universal take the stock off and see if it has one spring on the right side of the receiver or if it has two under the barrel

01-29-2008, 07:41 PM	#25
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 437 Images: 10	I have a early 79,xxx Universal and it is well made. It was the generation II, and III that have issues...

02-28-2008, 07:41 PM	#28
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 437 Images: 10	Trigger housing should not be a problem. If it has a cast aluminum trigger housing, you may find that the new GI housing is much thinner, and the stock will have big gaps. Then you will need a GI stock.

02-29-2008, 05:07 PM	#29
Art1991 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NY Posts: 50	Thanks for the input, I have a few GI stocks laying around so thats not a problem.

03-06-2008, 08:11 PM	#31
jimb2 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 513	Taurus fan...They haven't made them for 25 years. What makes you thing that they might have imporved? Only the very early ones that were almost entirely GI parts except for the receivers were decent. All of the ones that contained Universal parts were prone to problems ( 2nd & 3rd generations). Sure, an occasional one went through without problems, but that was the exception, not the rule. __________________ I am a nobody. Nobody is perfect. Therefore, I am perfect...

03-08-2008, 06:48 AM	#33
rebel727 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Heidelberg, Mississippi Posts: 1,547	All I can say about Universal is I've got one my dad bought new in 69. It has an aluminum trigger housing. I don't use it much now but back when I was a kid there's no telling how many thousands of rounds I put through it. It didn't like soft points but ran hard ball just fine, even out of the 30 round mags everybody says are crap. It feeds anything now since I polished the feed ramp. __________________ North-1 South-0 HALFTIME! Last edited by rebel727; 03-08-2008 at 06:49 AM. Reason: Had an extra letter jump in there. Does it make you happy to know that?

03-08-2008, 05:09 PM	#34
oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mansfield, MO Posts: 818	RemChuck, et al, for your viewing pleasure. What you want to know about Universal carbines but were afraid to ask...<grin> A lot of stuff here. Universal M1 Carbine Info

03-22-2008, 07:02 PM	#35
Capt'n Mil Coll Military Rifle Collector Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 2,296 Images: 12	I am not an expert like Landtrain or Jimb2 but I shoot over 120 different military rifles every year. I had a Universal M1 Carbine in the past and it always gave me headaches. I have 5 other GI M1's and other than one that needs a new spring put in it they function very very well. I actually traded the the Universal and some greenbacks and got an M1A1 for it. My thought is stick with the US GI versions of this rifle.

04-09-2008, 11:38 PM	#36
jlem Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 71	I am trying to figure out why my bodies Universal M1 Carbine S/N 153249 won't fire. It will lock and cycle a round just fine. I pulled a bullet so I do not shoot a bullet threw my wall and when I fire the gun the firing pin will hit ( barely ), but does not set off the primer. I am thinking that the firing pin is just worn, but after reading about these things I might just advise my buddy to take it to a pawn shop. I even took the bullet casing and set off the primer with a nail and hammer and the primer was definately good. I tore the whole gun apart and it has the twin spring, and the really flimsy looking slide. Is it common for the bolt to be forward and locked but the slide looks like it is not all the way forward even though it is? Thanks for the help I am primarly a Mosin and Mauser guy trying to help a buddy out. He is gonna be really upset when he hears it is not a military M1 Carbine.

04-12-2008, 10:06 AM	#37
jimb2 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 513	Check and make sure the piston nut is screwed all the way in. If it has backed out part of the way, it will prevent the slide from going all the way forward and can even prevent the bolt from closing properly. That could recult in a blown up carbine! Late Universals CAN fire out of battery. If they do, the results can be fatal! Make sure the piston nut is all the way in and that the bolt closes completely. Also make sure that the extractor is riding over the case rim. If it doesn't, the bolt will not complete its rotation and the firing pin won't hit the primer with enough force to fire because it will be driving the bolt forward rather than directing the engery into the primer. __________________ I am a nobody. Nobody is perfect. Therefore, I am perfect...

04-12-2008, 11:50 PM	#39
Capt'n Mil Coll Military Rifle Collector Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 2,296 Images: 12	Well Texan Guns are just machines and like cars some are great and some are not. You are a lucky man to have such a good carbine. Only wish I would have been that lucky. And no matter who makes it they are damm fun to shoot. __________________ Let's light this fuse and see what happens!