Universal M1 carbine

[SATX man]

Hi my father in law passed away and left me his M1 carbine it is a Universal is it worth keeping or not? He won it in a raffle on Lackland AFB in the 60's and has only shot it once. He told me I could keep it or sell it he didnt really like it. How much can I sell it for?

 

[Tim the student]

My relatively uninformed guess would be around $3-400. Your best bet to determine value would be to look on Gunbroker, (the selling prices, not asking prices) IMO.

 

[Maverick223]

I agree with Tim WRT the value. As far as whether or not to keep it, I would base that decision on the age (generation) of the carbine. They are fun little rifles, but later generation models don't have the safety features built into the USGI and 1st. gen Universals. Run the SN to determine which generation it is, then decide. The 1st. gen models are mostly USGI parts, seem to run fairly well (with decent build quality), and are pretty safe. The only thing it doesn't have is the history of the USGI M1, but that wouldn't stop me from keeping it. It would be a good platform to add aftermarket accessories (if you want to) like a scout rail with scope and a folding stock.

 

[SATX man]

Thanks Maverick and Tim where would the S/N be located at? I checked on receiver and it's blank.

 

[LibShooter]

From personal experience and my reading here and elsewhere, it seems some of these rifles are lemons, and some are gems. I suggest you take yours out to a range, shoot a few boxes of a few brands of ammo, and find out which category your rifle falls into.

Also, check here for more info:

http://www.maxicon.com/guns/universal_m1/universal_m1_carbine.htm

 

[MachIVshooter]

From personal experience and my reading here and elsewhere, it seems some of these rifles are lemons, and some are gems.

+1

While I don't think any are on par with USGI guns, some of the Universals are really nice little shooters. And some can't get through a mag without half a dozen jams, break parts, have misaligned or loose sights or other components, etc.

 

[amd6547]

Here is a link to universal carbine history:
http://www.maxicon.com/guns/universal_m1/universal_m1_carbine.htm
Basically, if they have the stamped op slide, I would avoid them.

 

[Maverick223]

Thanks Maverick and Tim where would the S/N be located at? I checked on receiver and it's blank.

Happy to help, IIRC the SN is on the heel of the receiver just like the USGI carbines (perhaps partially obscured by the rear sight?), as amd said the stamped slide is a good thing to look for, but the 2nd gen. Universals had these as well and they aren't as bad as the last (3rd) generation. The second gen. models retained decent safety features, but they don't tend to be as reliable or robust, so I'd still probably sell it.

 

[Uncle Mike]

I do believe he has a GI Government era, Universal reciever, not the old Florida based importer/manufacturer of the Universal Carbine.

 

[SATX man]

I found S/N # and its a four digit starting with 3***. I assume this is a first gen?

 

[Maverick223]

I found S/N # and its a four digit starting with 3***. I assume this is a first gen?

A four digit SN! Yep that is a 1st gen., no doubt about it. I'd hang onto it, unless it just doesn't suit you...and if that is the case there is a problem with it, or your just obtuse.