M1 Commercial Carbines

[MosinT53Hunter]

Good morning all.
I am on the fence about getting a new to me commercial M1, and wanted to hear your thoughts on it. I have had USGI M1's before, and I know they are the best. But with prices going towards the heavens, I have been researching what is a good alternative, and has some history to them.

The rifles I am most intrigued with are a Universal M1, 1st gen carbine, or a Plainfield M1 Carbine. Have you had any of these, what do you think of them, and which would be the better one over all. Each has a mixture of GI parts, each has their good and bad parts.

Anyways, I appreciate any and all info on these rifles.

 

[22250Rem]

Had a Plainfield M1 Carbine from 1992 to 2004 ( only M-1 carbine I ever owned). It was shot very little by the original owner who I know well. Checked my shooting log book and we put a total of 435 rounds through it during the time I had it. My son shot some CMP matches for Junior shooters with it when he was 13-14 yrs. old circa 1996-97. Never had a problem with it and wound up selling it back to the guy I got it from because it wasn't getting used much anymore and I needed room in the safe!.. I realize that it's an example of one but this one always functioned well and was trouble free. My friend had it for awhile after 2004 but it eventually became part of a multi-gun trade deal.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

Had a Plainfield M1 Carbine from 1992 to 2004 ( only M-1 carbine I ever owned). It was shot very little by the original owner who I know well. Checked my shooting log book and we put a total of 435 rounds through it during the time I had it. My son shot some CMP matches for Junior shooters with it when he was 13-14 yrs. old circa 1996-97. Never had a problem with it and wound up selling it back to the guy I got it from because it wasn't getting used much anymore and I needed room in the safe!.. I realize that it's an example of one but this one always functioned well and was trouble free. My friend had it for awhile after 2004 but it eventually became part of a multi-gun trade deal.

Do you recall what kind of accuracy you were able to get out of it?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I have a four digit ser# Universal and highly recommend it. It is a very well made commercial Carbine with some GI parts such as the slide, bolt, and recoil plate.

Most of the internal parts are Universal produced castings and the trigger housing was originally painted aluminum. I replaced the housing first as it bugged me and I was concerned about sloppy magazine engagement as it wore over time. A GI housing fit right in with only minor fitting. Some of the later 1st gen guns have a wider housing cutout in the stock, so a GI trigger group will fit, but look a little strange. The receiver is forged and very well machined. The Universal trigger parts dropped into the GI housing no problem, but I eventually replaced them with GI bits anyway.

I have never experienced any feeding or mechanical issues with this gun and it is within a hair of being as nice as either of my GI carbines. As I'm sure you know, the 2nd gen Universals ( after ser# 99k) are a totally different beast and are to be avoided.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Do you recall what kind of accuracy you were able to get out of it?

I know people like to knock the M1 Carbine's accuracy, but all 3 of mine, including my Universal, will easily shoot 2MOA. Even my 11-yr old Daughter regularly rings steel with them at 100yd.
Proper fitting of the recoil plate is crucial, but otherwise I haven't really accurized them at all.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/

This link will tell you everything you want to know about the commercial carbines, enjoy!

 

[22250Rem]

Do you recall what kind of accuracy you were able to get out of it?

....... Don't recall exactly but I do know that it wasn't too bad at 100 yds. for an iron sighted semi and much better at shorter ranges, of course. My son didn't win any CMP Junior Matches with it but he was just learning in those days. Never handloaded for it but I was given about 50 rounds from another guy who formerly owned an M-1 Carbine and was a dedicated handloader who still had some of his old ammo laying around. IIRC the handloads shot real nice but I still wouldn't classify carbines as "tackdrivers". Don't recall the handload details except, IIRC the powder used was H-110.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

I have a four digit ser# Universal and highly recommend it. It is a very well made commercial Carbine with some GI parts such as the slide, bolt, and recoil plate.
View attachment 790403
Most of the internal parts are Universal produced castings and the trigger housing was originally painted aluminum. I replaced the housing first as it bugged me and I was concerned about sloppy magazine engagement as it wore over time. A GI housing fit right in with only minor fitting. Some of the later 1st gen guns have a wider housing cutout in the stock, so a GI trigger group will fit, but look a little strange. The receiver is forged and very well machined. The Universal trigger parts dropped into the GI housing no problem, but I eventually replaced them with GI bits anyway.

I have never experienced any feeding or mechanical issues with this gun and it is within a hair of being as nice as either of my GI carbines. As I'm sure you know, the 2nd gen Universals ( after ser# 99k) are a totally different beast and are to be avoided.

You have a very nice looking rifle there. I have to admit, it looks much better then the other two I had.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/

This link will tell you everything you want to know about the commercial carbines, enjoy!

Thank you so much. I have been doing as much research as I can, not only online, but from reading past M1 Carbine articles from old Gun Digest books and the like. I know that there are brand spanking new ones out there, but, they just don't hold a candle in my eyes for the old ones, even commercial ones were still all made in the US, made with US parts.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

....... Don't recall exactly but I do know that it wasn't too bad at 100 yds. for an iron sighted semi and much better at shorter ranges, of course. My son didn't win any CMP Junior Matches with it but he was just learning in those days. Never handloaded for it but I was given about 50 rounds from another guy who formerly owned an M-1 Carbine and was a dedicated handloader who still had some of his old ammo laying around. IIRC the handloads shot real nice but I still wouldn't classify carbines as "tackdrivers". Don't recall the handload details except, IIRC the powder used was H-110.

Thank you for the info. I know that the M1 isn't a tack driver, but there is more to it then that. I love history, and its part of the post war history with the start of the commercial M1's. Plus, its a handy dandy light semi auto that isn't 22.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I have a Universal with a five digit SN#. I picked it up about three years ago for $300. I have only shot it once, but my oldest son shoots it about once a month when he takes his little brother, Gunner, shooting. (Gunners not mine)
Gunner told me that he thinks is the coolest gun he has ever fired, he’s 10 years old. I may have to give it to him when he’s older.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

I have a Universal with a five digit SN#. I picked it up about three years ago for $300. I have only shot it once, but my oldest son shoots it about once a month when he takes his little brother, Gunner, shooting. (Gunners not mine)
Gunner told me that he thinks is the coolest gun he has ever fired, he’s 10 years old. I may have to give it to him when he’s older.
View attachment 790432 View attachment 790433 View attachment 790434

Sweet looking rifle! The Universal I am contemplating on is in the 80,000 serial num range, so a Gen 1. Been thinking about it for a while, so I might pull the trigger on it tomorrow when I can get to my LGS. Your sons are very lucky guys to have you to share and learn from.

 

[Bushpilot]

I've always considered the older commercial M1s to be better rifles, those with lots of GI parts. I don't care for the later models with the hole in the operating slide for the bolt. Those are the ones that I've seen more problems with. I will say though that I have seen some of even the later models that did work pretty well... It's like if you get a "good" one they seem to work well forever and if you get a bad one you can fool with it forever and still have problems..

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I've always considered the older commercial M1s to be better rifles, those with lots of GI parts. I don't care for the later models with the hole in the operating slide for the bolt. Those are the ones that I've seen more problems with. I will say though that I have seen some of even the later models that did work pretty well... It's like if you get a "good" one they seem to work well forever and if you get a bad one you can fool with it forever and still have problems..

Even the 2ng Gen. Universals aren't bad guns, but the slides crack eventually at the corners of that cutout for the bolt cam. The internals are mostly incompatible with GI parts as well and Gen2 Universal parts are pretty much unobtainium.

The new production James River "Rockolas" are very nice, well made guns with forged receivers, but cost more than many nice GI examples!

 

[bannockburn]

I had an early Universal carbine that I think I paid all of $100 for many years ago. It was in great shape and the overall fit and finish we're first rate. Never did much shooting with it as I bought it mainly for a fun plinker to go along with my Ruger 10/22. Eventually I needed money for something so down the road it went.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

I had an early Universal carbine that I think I paid all of $100 for many years ago. It was in great shape and the overall fit and finish we're first rate. Never did much shooting with it as I bought it mainly for a fun plinker to go along with my Ruger 10/22. Eventually I needed money for something so down the road it went.

I here you. I had two USGI carbines in the last 20 years, but things came up, and off they went. You think you can buy something similar down the road, and they are there, but getting to be rather spendy..

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

Even the 2ng Gen. Universals aren't bad guns, but the slides crack eventually at the corners of that cutout for the bolt cam. The internals are mostly incompatible with GI parts as well and Gen2 Universal parts are pretty much unobtainium.

The new production James River "Rockolas" are very nice, well made guns with forged receivers, but cost more than many nice GI examples!

Doing the research on M1's, you get to see a lot of what is available now a days, and your right, they are getting to be more spendy then GI examples. But for me, I like a little wear and tear, scuff marks, even dents. Shows the history of the gun.

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

So, I did it, I pulled the trigger on the deal, and now its on lay a way. I had to say good bye to two other guns I had, but when I thought long and hard, I didn't have a real reason to keep them. I didn't get as much out of them as I wanted, but, it is what it is. I can't wait until I have my new to me carbine in my hands!

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

I've always considered the older commercial M1s to be better rifles, those with lots of GI parts. I don't care for the later models with the hole in the operating slide for the bolt. Those are the ones that I've seen more problems with. I will say though that I have seen some of even the later models that did work pretty well... It's like if you get a "good" one they seem to work well forever and if you get a bad one you can fool with it forever and still have problems..

I think that goes for most surplus or used guns, some are good, some bad, or some inbetween. Hoping for the best on this one.

 

[swede4198]

I have several Ivar Johnson M-1s that have never had any problems. Everything seems to be GI compatible and were built on the Plainfield tooling. They shoot as good if not better than an original Inland I have.

 

[JD Pinardi]

I had a universal for 20 years, in the beginning everybody flamed them, mine had the dual spring action, I replaced the ejector once, other than that I can't count how many rounds I put through that gun flawlessly, I only sold it recently because reloading was a pain in the.....even with carbide dies, you had to lube every case, and it was so much fun to shoot there was a lot of reloading.
Have fun,,,,,JD

 

[Bushpilot]

even with carbide dies, you had to lube every case

I've heard of people doing this but I've never needed to lube my 30 carbine cases when I used a carbide die...???

 

[Gordon]

I had one of those Iver Johnson's Enforcer pistols for about 20 years it wouldn't sight in but shot ball riably out of GI mags, sold it for $450 10 years ago.