m1 carbine sloppy trigger group

[guywithfastcar]

Hey gents,
I've got a wwII Underwood m1 carbine and the trigger group fit is pretty sloppy. I've been doing some research and it seems to be normal, but I would really like a tighter feel to the gun. I know I am not supposed to mess with the receiver metal at all- as it is hardened and will break. Some folks suggest peening the rear dove tail on the trigger group to snug it up, others suggest using an epoxy resin on the dove tail, and one person suggested making a shim out of a soda can. I've never peened metal before, but I work at an auto shop with someone who could show me how to do it. Any thoughts on my best option?

Brian

 

[dfariswheel]

If you peen the trigger group, you're forever altering it. It'll never again be "original".
M1 Carbine trigger groups are almost always loose to very loose, and were that way from the factory.

If you just insist, you use a brass hammer to tap the top of the rear lug portion downward. You tap at a slight angle to the flat top with overlapping strikes.
The idea is to bend the top portion downward slightly to tighten the fit on the receiver lugs.
Don't go too far, you just want to snug it up a little, not make a fit so tight you have to file off metal to get it back on the receiver.

Also, remember that Carbine trigger groups are also hard and can also break or chip.

The smart move..... leave well enough alone.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I have a IBM M1 Carbine with a very loose trigger housing. I cut a petal from a plastic shotgun wad to take up the slack. No permanent change to receiver or housing. The IBMs have the stamped and brazed trigger housing, rather than the machined steel of most other makers.

 

[guywithfastcar]

thanks for the input guys, barely took any peening at all... just a few minutes of gentle taps and its snug! The metal surface still looks great. Thanks again!