Universal M1 Carbine
So I've got this Universal M1 Carbine that I bought in the early 80's, I was around 14 years old.
I added a Choate folding stock five or so years later.
I added a scope mount and scope three or so years ago.
The scope mount replaced the rear site and attached at the single screw that attached the rear sight. I don't find it all that strong a mount, but I added some "lock-tight" to the screw.
I believe that from time to time the ejected rounds are striking the bottom of the scope mount.
I'm looking to add something that will deflect the spent shells before they can hit the bottom of the scope.
I can see that on the left side of the receiver, (left in shooting stance), there are four screw holes that I seem to recall a shell deflector could be attached to. They may have been for some type of scope mount, I really am not sure.
I'm looking for advise, thoughts, what have you on this issue.
Thanks,
DSM
I added a Choate folding stock five or so years later.
I added a scope mount and scope three or so years ago.
The scope mount replaced the rear site and attached at the single screw that attached the rear sight. I don't find it all that strong a mount, but I added some "lock-tight" to the screw.
I believe that from time to time the ejected rounds are striking the bottom of the scope mount.
I'm looking to add something that will deflect the spent shells before they can hit the bottom of the scope.
I can see that on the left side of the receiver, (left in shooting stance), there are four screw holes that I seem to recall a shell deflector could be attached to. They may have been for some type of scope mount, I really am not sure.
I'm looking for advise, thoughts, what have you on this issue.
Thanks,
DSM
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I need at slide stop lever for my carbine. It is the redesigned carbines from universal. There are no GI parts on it. The lever holds the slide open. Numrich doesnt have them, and everyone else only has GI parts. Any ideas??? 0 -
The last two shows I went to the prices ranged from 350 to 375 (Midwest), though I can't imagine why
gmh0 -
Well the last time I questioned the quality of a specific firearm a fellow here named Dean accused me of being a member of Handgun Control! I will tell you that these can be troublesome firearms; there were many modifications during the later stages of production which affected not only the quality but also the reliablity of the Universal brand. The early rifles worked pretty well but the later versions used lower quality cast parts as well as other non-USGI specification components, and Universal also modified the operating system. I suggest you ask to have the action removed from the stock in order to see if it has the late style double recoil spring system. If it has the double spring I'd insist on seeing the rifle actually fire before I bought it. Over the past 25 years in the gun business I have found that when someone owns a Universal M1 carbine which works he is not likely to sell it and I see far too many on the market to believe that all the owners of the good guns have dropped dead over night!
"Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
Mark T. Christian0 -
I just purchased a Marlin 9mm Camp Rifle because the Universal at the same store was priced at $400. It was an all wood stock and hand guard.
If it had been priced at what you caan buy it for I would have the .30 cal carbine instead of the 9mm.
Go for it!0 -
There are several guns that I dislike, but would be willing to buy if the price were really low. The Universal M1 carbine, however, is one of those guns that I would not own at any price.
The problem with the later guns, as described by Mark, is not that they won't work; they will work, even when it is not safe for them to do so. A combination of poor design & poor craftsmanship may permit them to fire when the bolt is not completely locked, resulting in catastrophic failure. This is not just theoretical; it has happened. Trust me, the last thing in the world that you want is to lie on your back in the ER while a doctor attempts to remove a steel bolt & pieces of brass from your face. Think about; is it worth losing your sight (& possibly your life) to save $200?
Neal0 -
Watch out Neal or our friend Dean, who is a postal worker and an expert on firearms (just like all postal workers) will tell everyone that you have gone over to the other side and have a poster of Sara Brady on your wall! Another important issue to consider is that late Universals may not have spare parts available. There are so many non GI specification parts on this brand that when (not if)something breaks you will be forced to scrounge around for replacement parts as opposed to simply ordering the USGI part from a wholesaler.
"Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
Mark T. Christian0 -
This one has the plastic vented handguard so it's probably a late model? Is ther a way to tell between early & late by using the serial # ? 0 -
Serial numbers mean nothing because Universal changed hands a couple of times during its life span and serial numbers are all over the place. Did I forget to mention removing the rifle's action from the stoock in order to check the number of recoil springs? Let me read over my first post to check...[?]...no, I did suggest that you do that the first time around. I'll also suggest it this time and tell you that the first two times are free but after the third time you'll have to send out moderator Capt. Kirk a check for $10.
"Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
Mark T. Christian0 -
Can you tell me the last year of production? I have one with a ventilated metal upper handguard, that I got new in 78, and it has worked perfectly, with no problems. I do keep it clean and oiled. Perhaps maintance, or the lack of, played a part in the bad reputation. I wonder if mine, even though it has dual springs, was not a "late" production model? I suppose I should stop burning through my 30 round mags, ten rounds at a time, as fast as I can pull the trigger. 0 -
The last year of production at Universal was 1983. At that point Iver Johnson bought the rights to the rifle as well as the Universal name and began their own production line...without using any ex-Universal employees at all! Since no one on the IJ production floor had ever seen the rifle before and had no one around to answer questions, quality dropped like a stone with more troubles that even the worst seen at Universal. These IJ/Universals remained trouble guns until discontinued in 1993 when Iver Johnson went belly up and died. I almost forgot. Since you have a Universal which works perfectly, would you consider parting with it? I've met very few folks with a good Universal who'd ever dream of selling it!
"Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
Mark T. Christian0 -
To tell the truth,I collect mauser bolt guns now. The carbine could be had,if the price was right. Send me an email 0 -
OH NO, that was strictly a question and not a solicitation. The purchase or sale of firearms on these boards is strictly prohibited and I do not want Capt. Kirk to even suspect that my question was headed anywhere near that direction! Capt., I only asked him out of curiosity, I do not want to buy his rifle!
"Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
Mark T. Christian0 -
Leo
You have to remember that our esteemed Mr. Christian works at a gun shop and will always try and steer you towards the high end guns in order to make his commission. Still, I'll have to agree with him on this one. The worst gun I ever owned was an IJ Enforcer. I couldn't even get the mag release to stay put when I pulled the trigger.
Remember when buying used firearms,CAVEAT EMPTOR ! Now if you were to buy a new Hi Point.......
Dean[;)]
If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?0 -
Dean, MC 'steered' me to the CMP for my first M1 Garand. Two in the gunsafe now, another one ordered the other day! MC didn't get any 'commission' for any of them! 
"The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised!"
-- Gen. George S. Patton
referring to the M1 Garand0 -
The esteemed Mr. Christian is the sole proprietor, works for no one, only gives GB memebers solid firearms advice, and sells nothing at all on Gun Broker in order to avoid any conflict of interest. It would hardly be proper to avise people on which guns to buy (or avoid) and then turn around and try to sell them the same guns that I recommend. I could have easily sold James two of my own M1s but I wanted him to make his purchase directly from the CMP in order to avoid any dealer markup, which I would have had to have charged on my own rifles.
"Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
Mark T. Christian0 -
quote:Originally posted by mark christian
The esteemed Mr. Christian is the sole proprietor,
Thank you for the info Mr Christian.
Dean
If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?0
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