M1 Carbine FTFs, FTEs, etc.

[whatever]

I've got an old IBM M1 Carbine that my dad recently gave to me. It's been "sporterized" and isn't in any sort of collectible condition.

I've taken it out to the range a few times now and I'm getting the same problems every time.

1. Spent casings get stuck in barrel. The problem gets especially worse after 50 rounds or so. I'll have to manually extract the brass with a pair of pliers or a screwdriver. One time it got so bad I had to completely disassemble the gun and bang it out with a mallet and wooden dowel.

2. Rounds do not feed properly (reliably). Sometimes the rounds will not feed correctly. Usually pulling the bolt back and releasing it will fix the problem, but sometimes I'll have to manually nudge the round up the ramp. The more rounds I shoot in one sitting, the worse the problem gets.

3. Bullets do not always extract. This is a separate issue than #1 above. The spent brass will get stuck after being extracted from the barrel. If it's any indication, the brass usually isn't flung very far. Sometimes the brass lands on the table within a foot of the chamber. Extractor has under 200 rounds on it.

All issues above happen with brass and steel casings, although steel magnifies the problem a bit.

Any ideas on what I can do to fix these problems? Springs/relacement parts/etc?

 

[s12.aaxtell]

My M1 carbine had a few problems with chambering rounds, but it was due to the 60 year old magazine. I bought a couple of aftermarket mags and now it works great. Perhaps that could help solve some (but probably not all) of your issues.

 

[whatever]

I forgot to add. I have 1 old magazines, 2 new ones. Issues are common with all mags, but old mag works better.

 

[Tommygunn]

Get the bolt disassembly tool. Take apart the extractor and ejector and clean out behind it and in the ejector hole. You may need to replace the springs.
You may need to seriously clean the chamber.
Carbines have a somewhat large chamber because they were intended to be used in war when soldiers didn't always have time to clean guns correctly. But that doesn't mean that they never need cleaning at all.
Beyond that I don't know; it's not easy diagnosing gun problems over the net.

 

[HKGuns]

I can't help you but if you ask over on the CMP forum you'll likely get a correct answer. Lots of carbine experts hang out over there.

 

[451 Detonics]

Sound like a damaged chamber more than anything. You can try polishing it but sometime a replacement is going to be the only answer if nothing else works. Fulton Armory does an excellent job when it comes to replacing barrels.

 

[Orlando]

I would first :
clean chamber
Clean gas piston , if nut is staked in place spray with carberator cleaner
What ammo are you using???

 

[chris in va]

Please be careful if your M1 carbine is getting fussy. A guy at the range came into the shop with his face coated in blood after one of the rounds didn't chamber fully and the case head ruptured.

 

[Husker_Fan]

Did you replace the springs with the new extractor? It sounds like the extractor spring could be week, or too much dirt built up behind it. The ejection problem sounds like underpowered ammo, but it's hard to say with the other issues going on at the same time.

I'd try changing the simplest variable first. What ammo are you using? Is it all the same kind? Steel case ammo can cause problems with some M1s and function perfectly in others. I've found PPU ammo to be a bit on the weak side and it doesn't always eject unless the gun is immaculately clean and well lubed.

I'd try Remington 110gn FMJ (the UMC rifle brand). It is close to mil spec and functions very well in most carbines. Give that a shot if you haven't before you tear everything down.

 

[LibShooter]

As Husker says, try an ammo change first. All softpoints eventually cause problems with my Universal. FMJs almost never do.

 

[USSR]

1st, buy a can of brake cleaner and heavily spray the bolt and chamber. 2nd, do not use steel case ammo. If this doesn't work, then you should start looking at a mechanical fix.

Don

 

[whatever]

I haven't used any softpoints yet. All ammo has been HSM (that gun show stuff in the orange boxes) and about 25 rounds of Tula steel cased stuff.

I have scrubbed the gun spotless before shooting it each time I go out. I haven't replaced any springs yet. Which ones do you folks think would be the best ones to replace before sending it somewhere to get fixed?

 

[cfullgraf]

whatever,

I would recommend replacing all the springs.

Check that the extractor is not broken or chipped.

Cleaning the gas piston can help with the cycling but I would not disassemble it. Spray solvent around the piston and work it back and forth. The piston may required soaking. You can plug the camber and muzzle and use compressed air to get the piston to move back.

Make sure the rifle is properly lubricated. The CMP web site has some good info on the care and feeding of the M1 Carbine.

I am not sure about HSm or Tula, but Aguilla (spelling?) is less powerful than US made ammunition. Splurge on a box of Remington or Federal and see what it does.

Magazines can be problems. Generally, good condition US surplus magazines are the best and some of the aftermarket magazines are junk. KCI magazines can be pretty good.

Other suggestions already mentioned also good.

Hope this helps.

 

[Orlando]

Tula= junk, go back and read my suggestions. Take good ammo to the range , fire again and report back

 

[whatever]

I just bought a new spring kit from Numrich. I disassembled the entire thing (minus the piston - can't figure that one out) and will clean it up and install the new springs.

I also bought a box of Magtech, Privi Partisan, and Aguilla. In your experiences, are those decent rounds?

 

[amd6547]

PRVI has been great in my Inland M1 carbine. Magtech seemed good till I noticed some spent primers fall out of fired cases. Aguila, I have never tried, but it has been described as not full powered...otherwise a good load.

 

[cuervo]

There were a lot of problems with Aguila M1 Carbine ammo at the last CMP games. Cases wouldn't chamber completely, wouldn't eject reliably, etc...

I'd avoid Aguila for now. When I first read his problem, Aguila ammo was my first thought.

 

[Orlando]

You do not need to remove the piston, in fact many are staked in place so they cant be removed. It takes a special wrench, and removing a staked nut can strip the threds. Dont ask me how I know this
If the piston will move it is fine, if its stuck soak it with carberator cleaner until free