M1 Carbine Feeding Problem Solved ... Almost

it may need a new extractor-spring. I had that problem with a springfield M1A years ago and replaced the extractor-spring with a real GI one and the problem went away. eastbank.

if you need a new one I think I have a few nos GI,s laying around here. eastbank.

"...M1 Carbine had a major feeding problem..." Those are usually mag related. Mind you, it depends on whether it's one of the new Inland copies or a real one.
The occasional half-ejected case might be the springs, but it can also be the ammo. "Occasional" suggests ammo vs any mechanical issue. However, give the thing a really good bath before you do anything.

How did you polish it, Dremel tool, Emory paper, file, etc? I have a GI Carbine that hangs up occasionally, even with new mags/springs and good ammo as well.

Sounds magazine related.
Real problem being that the magazine geometry might be fine, but the catch geometry might not be.

He is talking about the cutout for the MAG catch in the side. The feed lips are the "ears". Do your MAGs rattle around or move up and down when tried with hand pressure?

Suggest you get a copy of "The U.S. .30 Caliber Gas Operated Carbines - A Shop Manual" by Jerry Kuhnhausen. 224 pages of identification, inspection, dimensioned drawings, and repair guidance. Available direct from the publisher at www.gunbooks.com and other resellers like Brownell's, Amazon, Midway, etc.

I had ejection problems due to a extractor spring that had crystallized and broke in two places sometime since it left the IBM factory in 1943. The extractor lip had also chipped.

I replaced the extractor spring and replaced the extractor with one vetted by Numrich Gun Parts Corp as proper for IBM. I have since had ejection problems only with grossly low-powered ammo that was obviously less powerful than Winchester factory.

I have relied on the combined Army Technical Manual TM 9-1276 / Air Force Technical Order TO 39A-5AD-2 to maintain mine (hardcopy from GI Joe's Surplus store) and have visited the Civilian Marksmanship Program website for tips, hints and CMP research on the Cal. ,30 Carbine M1.

Denny Gibson said:

Thanks eastbank! I will definitely check that out.

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If you're going to the trouble of replacing the spring, Denny, might as well replace the extractor with a GI one while your at it. I'm sure the new Inland part is cast or MIM and a New-Old-Stock or even lightly worn USGI part will be more durable. I got a new one from James River Armory- Dupage trading or Sarco would be other places I would check.

Denny Gibson said:

The new Inlands are supposed to be identical to the originals.

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Well, they ain't.

I would also remove the castle nut and piston, and make sure the gas cylinder is clean and the gas port is fully open.

Jim

Denny Gibson said:

Thanks, Jim K ... the USGI spring and extractor are due Friday ... the journey begins then. Definitely got plenty of things to check out ... and I will! Thanks folks! Another fruitful trip down The High Rod!

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A good idea from Jim, but removing the piston requires a special tool and extra care when reinstalling- it must be torqued and staked properly, otherwise it becomes a projectile flying your way inside the stock.....

you can install the extractor with out the proper tool, but its a pain in the you know what. if you want I will loan you mine. eastbank.

Denny Gibson said:

... Is the tool expensive or hard to find?...

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https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=m1+carbine+bolt+tool

Instructions on how to use it are in the manual that I recommended above as well as in videos online.