Knock-off M1 Carbine

[Ditch-Tiger]

Does anybody know if Universal M1 carbines disasemble the same
as USGI M1's? Also, will USGI parts fit into them?

I cannot, for the life of me, get the barrel band to come off. I was given a USGI charging handle/bolt carrier (proper name?) and was going to field strip the Universal to see if it would drop in. I doubt it will fit as it seems the Universal's do not use Milspec parts but now i cannot get the Universal appart and it's really bothering me.

(please don't bother telling me how much Universal's suck, I already know!)

 

[kanook]

look at the bolt carrier. they are different.

 

[kanook]

the universal has a double recoil spring, GI one

 

[MarineOne]

You should have gotten a Plainfield over the Universal POS .... it would have a better purchase and at least it uses USGI parts.




Kris

 

[P.B.Walsh]

jinbuhybuhjnbj

 

[.45Guy]

It depends on if you have the milled or stamped op-rod. Shoot me a PM and we'll talk.

 

[rondog]

I'd always kinda half-ass wanted an M1 carbine, but never really "pursued" it, didn't have any experience with them. I finally scored one recently due to a kind offer from another gunny, and now that I have one I think it's just the coolest little rifle I've ever seen! I wish I could tote that little mother everywhere!

 

[alistaire]

Did you push the spring loaded pin that allows the band to slide forward?

 

[rcmodel]

I cannot, for the life of me, get the barrel band to come off.

It is probably stuck to the stock finish.

1. Loosen the clamp-screw.
2. Depress the spring lock in the stock to clear the band.
3. Tap it off with a hardwood block & hammer. (or brass or nylon punch)

rc

 

[dogrunner]

SOME early Universals were nearly identical to the GI gun......the later ones, while they disassemble generally the same, are really different in areas.......the stamped operating rod is one, double springs, aluminum trigger housings etc...

In my humble opinion, most Universals are likely OK if all one wants is a 2nd grade shooter..........Plainfield's and the others that mimic GI guns are far, far better calls.

 

[Sunray]

"...will USGI parts fit into them?..." Not if it's a late model Universal. Two return springs, a toggle for the bolt hold open and a poorly made, stamped, op handle(that tend to break).
There's a free .pdf Universal Carbine manual here. http://stevespages.com/page7b.htm
And a really well done web site about commercial carbines, here.
http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/
Gunparts has any remaining Universal parts.
Both Universal and Plainfield were bought out by Iver Johnson. IJ continued to make both until they shut down in the early 90's. The current Iver Johnson company has nothing to do with 'em though.

 

[galilgunner]

Wolff springs make replacement upgraded springs for the Universal carbines and for 30rd mags as well. When I replaced mine my carbine went from malfunctioning about every 4th round to running like a sewing machine. I also picked up another one a few years ago cheap that had the same problems. Once again I replaced all the springs with the Wolff kit and it is now flawless. I wish someone had told me about them 15yrs ago.

 

[moe1942]

I have a Universal M1 and it is a dead on shooter and very reliable. I have never tried Military issued M1 parts in it. Other than being spring operated rather than gas there doesn't appear to be any difference..

 

[Shadow 7D]

what about Kahr or auto ordnance ones?

 

[amd6547]

If you want a carbine, go to the CMP. A far better choice than any commercial carbine.
I would take a Plainfield over any other commercial carbine, including Kahr.

 

[LibShooter]

The first time I took off the barrel band from my Universal, I thought it was stuck. Mine was glued to the stock by the wood finish and kind of dug into the wood. I just had to get up the courage to give it a pretty good tap (whack, really) to get it to budge. Now it comes off easily.

I know a lot of folks have bad luck with Universal M1 Carbines, but mine has been great. It never misses a beat with FMJ ammo and 10 or 15 round magazines. Soft points and 30 round mags cause problems, so I don't use 'em very often. I can also let the rifle hang out in my car, and not feel like I'm abusing a war hero.

She's also so pretty!

 

[Snowdog]

what about Kahr or auto ordnance ones?

Kahr/AO M1 Carbines are sweet, at least all the samples I've seen (around a dozen now). My specimen still brings a goofy grin to my cheeks every time I take it for a spin. I'm quite impressed with my AO Carbine and I've been called "picky" by many friends within the firearm community.

From what I've personally seen, M1 Carbines manufactured by Kahr's Auto Ordnance often prove more accurate than what GI M1 Carbines are typically known for, possibly due to being recently manufactured and not having already seen hundreds or possibly thousands of rounds over the course of several decades.
I figure this potential difference in accuracy is akin to that between a modern-made 1911 and an M1911A1 manufactured in 1944. I'm aware some WWII/Korean War/Vietnam vets claimed their issued 1911s couldn't hit the broadside of a barn while most today consider a plain-vanilla 1911 of modern manufacture as usually an accurate .45acp platform.

All parts between a GI and AO are also, to my knowledge, 100% interchangeable.
A purchase of either a new AO M1 Carbine or a GI M1 Carbine from the likes of CMP, for example, would certainly prove a joy to have.

When I was a kid, M1 Carbines used to have such an undeserved reputation for being nearly ineffective for defense. I'm glad to see such poppycock being routinely challenged these days (at least on internet forums).

 

[CZguy]

When I was a kid, M1 Carbines used to have such an undeserved reputation for being nearly ineffective for defense. I'm glad to see such poppycock being rutinely challenged these days (at least on internet forums).

I think they are a very good choice for self defense. But I'll never try and use one as deer rifle again.

 

[.45Guy]

Not if it's a late model Universal.

GI extractors and ejectors will work in late model Universal bolts.

 

[Snowdog]

But I'll never try and use one as deer rifle again.

Though I've heard of some success stories from folks using .30 Carbine on the small deer we have in WNC, I'm sure I've heard just as many complaints from others disappointed with it's performance.

I believe in regards to defensive use, one of the M1 Carbine's attributes is its magazine capacity, which in some regards makes up for its lack of energy (when compared to other rifle cartridges, that is).
Unless someone plans on rapidly pumping 3+ rounds into a deer, I would think there are vastly superior choices out there. It's still a dandy little cartridge though.