M1 Jamming

[M1Mike]

Hi All,
I have an old M1 Carbine, pieced together from an arsenal, Rock-Ola barrel, Inland receiver etc....Well, it jams about every 2-3 rounds, the round that jams points to the bottom of the rifle and the primer end of the round is out of the magazine. I have tried aftermarket mags, still Jams. Magazines lock in to place and release easily, changing ammo does not work. In addition, when it does feed correctly, I sometimes get a "click" instead of a fired round, the bolt is not closing all the way and there is not even a small ding or score on the primer. If I pull the bolt back and snap the same round in, it fires. The feed ramp has some wear but doesn't appear to be bad enough to cause the issue. I have examined the guns parts and do not see any rough or burred surfaces on the bolt or, receiver.

Suggestions?

 

[ieszu]

First off, you want to check headspacing... might be an issue. Also, the bolt may be worn, so that it does not feed properly and causes the rounds to mis-align while feeding.

You also might want to check extractor tension (to see if it is holding the round to the bolt properly) and check the chamber for rust or rough spots.

I don't think firing pin protrusion is a problem (given that it can fire).

Did you just get the gun? Has it had this problem since you first fired it (Within 50 rounds)? I have known parts guns that were not assembled correctly, with parts that were out of tolerance to each other, but when assembled with "like" parts (inland with inland, etc.) they functioned just fine.

 

[M1Mike]

I am ashamed to say, I have had this carbine 15 years and have fired it less than 200 rounds because, I love my Garand and M1A and switching to the carbine makes it seem like a pop gun!!!!! and because of the jamming issue.

Any way, the gun has behaved like this since its purchase, I probably waited a year or two before I even fired it. The extractor looks to be good.

Can I headspace with a properly sized round or, do I need to buy a gauge?

Do you think a spring kit would help?

I also think I will try making some inert rounds in the garage and cycle by hand to see if I can get the behaviour, maybe I will be able to see what is going on. Maybe this could tell me the extractor is the problem as you suggested. I will report back after I strip it.