Universal 30 Carbine, magazines interchangeable with M1?

[TnBigBore]

I picked up an early 25000 serial# range Universal 30 Carbine at a gun show this weekend for $300. It is in excellent condition and seems to be very well taken care of. I bought it on whim due to the price and since I owned one back in the 1980s and regretted selling it. Can anyone tell me if these early ones will take magazines used in the military M1 Carbines? It came with one 30 round mag, but I would like more and possibly a smaller capacity magazine as well. Any general experiences with these early Universal Carbines would be appreciated as well.

Thanks,
TBB

 

[Tommygunn]

If it is chambered in .30 Carbine (and I think they all were except for a .22RF "look-a-like") then it should accept M-1 Carbine magazines.

The 15 & 30 round mags interchange on military guns; they should on yours.

 

[Kymasabe]

IF they use standard USGI mags...check out the Korean made mags, KCI I think is what they're called, for sale at Cheaper Than Dirt for around $6 each. I just got a few for a 1944 Nat. Post. Meter M1carbine that I just picked up, they fit my M1 perfectly.

 

[ambidextrous1]

The Korean carbine magazines are made from the original US tooling, and should be okay.

The early Univrsal carbines are good iron; avoid the higher serial numbers, all of which were degraded by aggressive "value analysis" design changes, which lowered both the manufacturing cost and the suitability of the firearm as a serviceable long gun. You did well in buying at $300; enjoy!

 

[TnBigBore]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. I will order several of the mags. I normally do not give the Universals a second look, but I noticed that this one had a nice walnut stock and seemed even to the casual eye to be of better quality than most I have seen. That coupled with the $325 asking price made me stop and take notice.

The one I owned in the 80s must have been a later manufature looking back on it. It had crude looking stamped metal parts and tomato stake grade wood. It shot just fine though and gave me no problems. I am excited to wring this "new" one out.

 

[ambidextrous1]

Yes, the stamped metal versions are the result of "value analysis"; those carbines have only a limited number of parts that are interchangeable with the GI carbines - unlike the earlier versions.