Is a Universal M1 worth $250

[El Barto]

I am looking at buying a used Universal for $250 and my question is: Should I? I want an M1 and I am not too concerned about getting a WWII vet.

I am in the process of completing the requirements to join CMP so I can get a warhorse, but should I grab this one?

 

[mrmeval]

It's a good price based on what I've seen online. They run from 250 on up to about 500.

 

[AJAX22]

Do what you want, I paid 150 for mine a few years ago (then traded it away, which I shouldn't have done, I kinda liked it)

If you can get it for 200, I'd say go for it, they are fun guns even if you get one that is not GI parts compatible.

As near as I can tell universals hang around the 200-300 price range.

you really can't compare the price between a universal and anything else, they are the el-cheepo M1.

but they still are an M1 and can be a blast to play with.

 

[Chipperman]

If you can test fire it before buying, yes.

If it runs, then buy it. If you can't get through a magazine without it jamming, pass.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Just remember that Universal has been out of business for a number of years and their rifles do not accept most GI parts. So, if something breaks, odds are you are SOL.

 

[xtarheel]

"A rising tide floats all ships" USGI carbines are going out of sight in price. The Inland I bought for $175 a few years back will now bring several times that now. The price of the Universals and Alpines will also go up because of that.

Also you will not be able to get an M-1 Carbine throught the CMP, they offer M-1 Garands and 'the '03 series Springfields.

 

[El Barto]

Whoa, Dave!

You just made up my mind for me. I have a Stevens shotgun that I have a hard time getting parts for and it bugs me to no end. I think I will wait until I can go through CMP.

Thank you everyone for your advice.

 

[rustymaggot]

dave, untrue. universal parts are still obtainable thru egunparts

 

[cyanide]

no had one and they are junk

 

[Diomed]

El Barto - as xtarheel mentioned, CMP does not sell carbines any more. The best you could get from them is a barreled action, I think they auction them occasionally.

Was it the Universals that had some kind of funky dual slide or op rod system? I'm not up on the mechanics of those.

 

[Husker1911]

How much is a "jamomatic" worth to you?

 

[El Barto]

It does seem that the general consensus is that a Universal is prone to problems and while it may be "worth" $250, it depends on me to decide the actual value to myself.

I really don't want a jam-o-matic so I am thinking I should pass.

 

[lionking]

I bought one off a friend a year or so ago for $225.I bought it for a "shoot it,lazy to clean it",take it out often gun.Ive put around 700 rounds thru it and it hasnt malfunctioned yet.
It has decent accuracy,fun and good for when you bring a friend or girlfriend who are recoil concerned.
Not as good as a GI carbine but for the price I wasnt too worried.