[Hunter11]

Thanks. I did read this post last night and did get some good info from it. Is there anyplace I could find out about when this gun was made by the serial number?

[M14man]

I would guess yours was made in the early 70's. Here is a website with alot of Universal info, but it doesnt list years specifically..
Universal Firearms Corp.

[Redd]

Quote:       Originally Posted by jimb2

Honestly, If I liked the kid at all, I'd never let him shoot a Universal. They are just too risky. Any other carbine would be ok, but not a Univ.

What the problem with Univ? I bought one in at Big 5 for $75 in 1970, shot fine then, shoots fine now. Never blown up, never misfired. Would you please explain why you feel they're too risky.

[USNCB]

I inherited a like-new Universal M1 Carbine that I think is a version 1, with the Universal receiver, but mostly USGI parts. I think it is a V1 because it is a 67XXX, and has a USGI slider.

As I understand it, a V1 should be as safe as any maker's. True???

[jimb2]

The early Universals were made with mostly USGI parts. The receiver was milled like a GI receiver. These early ones are generally ok. Later when they started to run low on GI parts, they started to manufacture their own parts. These carbines run off and on as far as dependability, but generally aren't too bad. Its the last generation of Universals with the double recoil springs that are the real problems. Universal redesigned the reciever to make it cheaper to produce. Unfortunately they removed an important safety feature ( a bridge of metal on the underside of the receiver) that prevented out of battery firing. They also redesigned the bolt for cheaper production cost and removed another safety feature designed to prevent out of battery firing. The rear of the bolt had a ridge around most of the rear that prevented the hammer from striking the firing pin before the bolt was completely closed. These two changes allow the carbine to fire with the bolt partially open which can cause the carbine to literally explode in your face! In fact, that is exactly what happened to a youngster who was shooting one of those guns. It killed him! The company went out of business a few weeks later............

[Cav scout]

Just bought and fired my universal M1 had a fired good noticed the magizine that came with it was word so a few times failed to feed. I was shooting steel plates about 200 yrds out. hits were no problem, later today two 10 rd mags arrived and that should take care of the feeding problem. This is first M1 also have a .40 cal carbine hipoint, M4, 1911, 12 ga. glock 17, glock 27, son and I enjoy all of the weapons to shoot.

[gamer_jim]

I am temporarily in custody of a Universal M1 while my brother in-law is serving overseas. I took it to the range and it shot nicely. Kept jamming but the magazine looks pretty beat up so I will get another and see if that helps.

I need a part for it but I am fairly new to the world of firearms (bought my first regulated last year) and not sure what the name of this part is. So sorry for the newb question in advance.

What do you call the little screw in lever piece that you flip to hold the bolt open? It is located on the right hand side directly underneath the windage knob.

It fell out when I took it to the range and I couldn't find it. So now I have to use my pocket knife to lock the bolt open.

Where can I buy that item and a magazine? I checked Fulton Armory but they are out of stock on the 30 rounds mags. I'm just using this for vermin and plinking so I guess the 15 is fine.

Will the 15 round mag sold on Fulton Armory's website work in my Universal M1? Or I guess a better question would be are all M1 magazines the same?

Thanks in advance.

[tbird430]

This is the one store I was always referred to for Universal Carbine parts:

Universal*|*CARBINE*|*e-GunParts.com=

I would recommend you stick with only USGI 15-rnd magazines as well. They usually go for $18-$30 used in great shape. Try searching for a couple over on www.gunbroker.com or here:

http://armscorpusa.com/Products/m1_carbine_parts.html

[Mojave Man]

I have a 1st Generation Universal M1 Carbine # 73xxx...purchase new in 1965...I'm a US Army Vet...Post Korea.....Fired the M1 Garand and M1 Carbine in the early 1950's to mid 50'as...loved the carbine... my carbine has most all the USGI parts...not the trigger housing...bolt is round and is marked on the lug A 1...for Inland...most of the parts are Inland....rear sight...also and Operating Slide...receiver is much like the USGI...but isn't...the barrel I'm not sure of..I last fired it 1965...firing off on two 30 round magazines back to back without a miss fire or locking up...marked M2 on the magazines....that was the last time I shot the weapon...and have just stored it....I take it out each year and keep it lighty oiled...

This is a very helpful website with good answers..Im new to it and would like to ask a question..first of all my front sight is not USGI...but has a screw in the rear of it and not the pinned type ......I unsrewed it but it isn't coming off and I don't want to damage it by using the wrong tool...It wasn't cemented on as I purchase it new in the box...would appreciate any info you can help me with regarding what tool is needed...etc.....thank you....

[tbird430]

I bet you need the "front sight removal tool" here: Fulton Armory Home Page

Go to the M1 Carbine "parts & etc" section & scroll down almost to the bottom. It shows the picture of this tool....

[Mojave Man]

Thank you ...tbird430 for your reply...however...I've seen these tools on eBay...but isnt this tool for the USGI front sight...that has the groove on the barrel and uses the front sight Pin....would this tool work on the Universal MI Carbine I own.... my front sight is the Screw in type....thanks again...

[M14man]

If it isn't coming loose with the screw off it has been pressed on somewhat. That tool grabs the sight and pulls it foward as you turn the bolt. I would thing that tool would still grab it, or if not,the sight can probably be knocked foward and off with a brass drift.

[ncmauser]

I had a series I Universal (Ser 50,xxx) for several years. It had mostly GI parts with an early GI flat bolt. I put a GI stock on it. Had to work on the stock a little but it worked fine. The early Universals were decent. I finally got the itch for another bolt gun and let it go for what I had in it. I would definitely steer away from the later two spring ones. Would love to get a GI carbine but they are selling for more than I think they are worth and going up. I am more interested in shooting than collecting carbines. I may look at one of the new Auto Ordnance carbines. Anyone have experience with them?

[Cobra46]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum and I'm another owner of a Universal Arms 30 cal. carbine. I personally have used and owned this weapon for over 28 years. I really like it and it shoots great. The last time I cleaned it thoroughly, I noticed what I call the operating slide spring, was distorted. Does anyone know if that spring is called something else as I've checked several of the sites mentioned in this forum and have not been able to find the spring called by that name. This carbine has the single slide spring with the GI mechanism. Thanks for any help.

[M14man]

Operating rod spring, recoil spring...part number 10 here at Numrichs...
U.S. Military*|*M1 CARBINE*|*e-GunParts.com

[Cobra46]

THANKS, M14man, it's been ordered.
Cobra46

[Cobra46]

THANKS, M14man, it's been ordered and I'll feel a whole lot more at ease knowing there's not a defective part when I got shoot, to me that distorted spring is like driving a car with brakes that don't work every now and then. One time of not working right and you're history. )