Newbie question about Universal.

KennyC · 12-18-2007, 10:28 AM

Hi Folks

I'm new to the forum so please excuse me if I ask stupid questions.

I'd like to start with a question about Universal carbines. I've had a Generation 2 with the double springs for about 15 years or so. Now I discover that this type is not safe to shoot. Something about firing out of battery. ????? This one is serial # 135xxx. Equipped with a redfield peep sight and regular ramp front. Also has walnut wood. Another I just got is serial # 398xxx. This one is a single spring and has a true GI slide. (forgot the maker). So I guess my question is. Is this one safe to shoot?

Appreciate any thoughts.

KennyC

M14man · 12-18-2007, 02:55 PM

Can't tell you much about your second carbine without a name. Some Universal receivers of the 2nd and third generation were not machined properly allowing the firing pin to move foward before the bolt rotated and locked. You would have to take it to a good gunsmith and have him chech for that possibility. As one should do with every firearm, one should always wear good shooting glasses.

samuel · 12-18-2007, 03:08 PM

I am not into that line but believe Universal is made by Iver Johnson so I would contact them. sam.

oldjarhead · 12-18-2007, 07:12 PM

Iver Johnson (the new one) does not have drawings or parts for the older IJ firearms. I believe, however, the bolts were made to USGI specs so should be interchangeable. This, however, should be done by a gunsmith so the headspace can be checked. The term firing out of battery is basically what M14man is referring to. A good place to seek an answer to bolt replacement and compatibility is Clint at Fulton Armory Home Page. Fulton also has just about every part for the carbine (mostly USGI) at quite reasonable prices. If your Universal bolt is interchangeable, the bolt parts will most likely be able to serve as spares.
Oh, BTW...Welcome aboard...and keep in mind, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

KennyC · 12-18-2007, 07:41 PM

Thanks for your replies guys.

I don't believe I want to shoot either of these Universals anymore. Won't be much fun thinking I might get the top of my head blown off with the next shot.

Oh and thanks for the welcome Mr. jarhead.

Kenny

oldjarhead · 12-23-2007, 10:41 AM

Hey Kenny,
Check out this web page for some good information on Universal.
Universal M1 Carbine Info
It may change your mind a little about not firing these guys. If you become interested in selling your carbines...let me know. What make is your second one?

KennyC · 12-27-2007, 09:03 AM

Hi oldjarhead

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. The second carbine I mentioned is also a Universal. Ser# 398xxx single springer. My son gave it to me but I've since givin it back to him. Don't know what he will do with it but said he won't be shooting it. He has some USGI's to shoot instead. The first one I mentioned is somewhat sentimental because we've been shooting that one around here for years. I believe the whole family has shot it at one time or another.

It's never failed to perform in any fashion. Guess it will just be a wall hanger now and I'll use my USGI Inland for plinking. Expect to have another GI model in the near future so I'll just retire the ol' Universal.

Happy New Year!

Ken

sunray · 12-27-2007, 04:10 PM

"...made by Iver Johnson so I would contact them..." The new entity of IJ won't and don't have anything to do with any firearm made by the original company. The original IJ bought out both Plainfield and Universal. They continued making both until they closed down themselves.
Late model Universals(two return springs, a toggle for the bolt hold open and a poorly made stamped op handle. The op handles tend to break.) aren't dangerous to shoot. They just weren't made well. No military parts except mags will work in them. Universal thought they could improve the design after the supply of milsurp parts ran out. They didn't.
"...with a redfield peep sight and regular ramp front..." Those were put on body a previous owner, not Universal.
Early model Universals are ok. They are a copy of the military carbine using mostly military parts, so they can use milsurp parts. Still not as good as a Plainfield, but ok.

12-18-2007, 10:28 AM	#1
KennyC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern PA. Posts: 8	Newbie question about Universal. Hi Folks I'm new to the forum so please excuse me if I ask stupid questions. I'd like to start with a question about Universal carbines. I've had a Generation 2 with the double springs for about 15 years or so. Now I discover that this type is not safe to shoot. Something about firing out of battery. ????? This one is serial # 135xxx. Equipped with a redfield peep sight and regular ramp front. Also has walnut wood. Another I just got is serial # 398xxx. This one is a single spring and has a true GI slide. (forgot the maker). So I guess my question is. Is this one safe to shoot? Appreciate any thoughts. KennyC

12-18-2007, 02:55 PM	#2
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 436 Images: 10	Can't tell you much about your second carbine without a name. Some Universal receivers of the 2nd and third generation were not machined properly allowing the firing pin to move foward before the bolt rotated and locked. You would have to take it to a good gunsmith and have him chech for that possibility. As one should do with every firearm, one should always wear good shooting glasses.

12-18-2007, 03:08 PM	#3
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I am not into that line but believe Universal is made by Iver Johnson so I would contact them. sam.

12-18-2007, 07:12 PM	#4
oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mansfield, MO Posts: 817	Iver Johnson (the new one) does not have drawings or parts for the older IJ firearms. I believe, however, the bolts were made to USGI specs so should be interchangeable. This, however, should be done by a gunsmith so the headspace can be checked. The term firing out of battery is basically what M14man is referring to. A good place to seek an answer to bolt replacement and compatibility is Clint at Fulton Armory Home Page. Fulton also has just about every part for the carbine (mostly USGI) at quite reasonable prices. If your Universal bolt is interchangeable, the bolt parts will most likely be able to serve as spares. Oh, BTW...Welcome aboard...and keep in mind, the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

12-18-2007, 07:41 PM	#5
KennyC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern PA. Posts: 8	Thanks for your replies guys. I don't believe I want to shoot either of these Universals anymore. Won't be much fun thinking I might get the top of my head blown off with the next shot. Oh and thanks for the welcome Mr. jarhead. Kenny

12-23-2007, 10:41 AM	#6
oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mansfield, MO Posts: 817	Hey Kenny, Check out this web page for some good information on Universal. Universal M1 Carbine Info It may change your mind a little about not firing these guys. If you become interested in selling your carbines...let me know. What make is your second one?

12-27-2007, 09:03 AM	#7
KennyC Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern PA. Posts: 8	Hi oldjarhead Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. The second carbine I mentioned is also a Universal. Ser# 398xxx single springer. My son gave it to me but I've since givin it back to him. Don't know what he will do with it but said he won't be shooting it. He has some USGI's to shoot instead. The first one I mentioned is somewhat sentimental because we've been shooting that one around here for years. I believe the whole family has shot it at one time or another. It's never failed to perform in any fashion. Guess it will just be a wall hanger now and I'll use my USGI Inland for plinking. Expect to have another GI model in the near future so I'll just retire the ol' Universal. Happy New Year! Ken

12-27-2007, 04:10 PM	#8
sunray Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 98	"...made by Iver Johnson so I would contact them..." The new entity of IJ won't and don't have anything to do with any firearm made by the original company. The original IJ bought out both Plainfield and Universal. They continued making both until they closed down themselves. Late model Universals(two return springs, a toggle for the bolt hold open and a poorly made stamped op handle. The op handles tend to break.) aren't dangerous to shoot. They just weren't made well. No military parts except mags will work in them. Universal thought they could improve the design after the supply of milsurp parts ran out. They didn't. "...with a redfield peep sight and regular ramp front..." Those were put on body a previous owner, not Universal. Early model Universals are ok. They are a copy of the military carbine using mostly military parts, so they can use milsurp parts. Still not as good as a Plainfield, but ok.