Universal M-1 Carbine

bhayes420

March 01, 2003 17:10

What about these guns? The good, bad, indifferent? My buddy, an ffl dealer, called today and said he had one in and thought I would be interested. I haven't been in to look at it. He says it is 90%+ condition. Asking $300. I would love an M-1, but know nothing about these. Somebody fill me in! Thanks in advance!



Taxation WITH representation isn't so hot either!

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  cbxjeff

  March 01, 2003 18:01

  420,
  
  I can only give you approx. prices. The only reason I am even posting is that I have been wanting one of their M-1 pistols. The carbine came in many models. Prices range from (at 90%) $160. - $250. BTY, they were a previous division of Iver Johnson. I'm not sure if they were independant when the M-1 was produced.
  
  cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.

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  Hairtrigger223

  March 01, 2003 18:59

  I have just got one the other day and have just been tinkering with it. From what I have seen on mine is that the dia. of the barrel is a little larger than the inland's or others. I do however have one big complaint on them, to set the safty to fire or safe you need a screw driver or dime, but maybe not all models are that way. But for a $150.00 more I would go for the IAI M-1's that is the best that I have seen so far. You get a classic look and a well built rifle.
  
  Just my 2 cents.

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  mark christian

  March 01, 2003 19:04

  This topic appears at least once each month. In my opinion the early Universal carbines- those made before 1970- were pretty good rifles. Most of the parts used on these were GI surplus or built to government specs. After 1970 the supply of surplus parts began to dry up and Universal began tinkering with the design. The trigger housing was the first modification and it was changed from steel to aluminum. After this the "slide" assembly. Instead of the typical milled track of the GI operating rods, the Universal used a stamped slide track that also called for a modified bolt, bolt hold open, and some other changes. The modified slide called for a redisigned gas system which was two piece stamped and rolled rear section welded to a front "box like" affair and a gas block which was welded to the barrel. The worst part (in my opinion) was the change to the awful double recoil spring and guide system. Getting those two springs to fit back into their blind holes is a maddening task for me.
  
  I have a good friend who owns one of these Universals and I refuse to work on it any longer as it drives me crazy! There are a number of reliability issues with these rifles that seem to vary between individual weapons. Most I have come in contact with do not work nearly as well as a GI carbine. Also keep in mind that many parts of the Universal are product specific and will not interchange with military issue surplus parts. If anything breaks you are now on your own and left with a major search for the correct replacement part.
  
  In 1983 Iver Johnson purchased Universal out right from its previous two owners and entire manufacturing facility was moved from Florida. Every item needed to manufacture the carbines was now on hand except for one key component- not a single Universal employee was hired by IJ and none were on hand when production began at their facility. To say that these first IJ/Universal carbines were trouble prone would be polite! No one at IJ had any idea of how to set up the Universal tooling, which was different than the Plainfied machinery that IJ was using at the time, much less manufacture a complete firearm- it was all hit and miss until things got sorted out. In my opinion these early IJ/Universal carbines are the worst ever produced. In 1987 IJ was purchased by American Military Arms Corp. and Univresal went out of existance, just as Plainfield had gone before.
  
  By the time AMAC got into the act things were in trouble- there was a flood of imported GI carbines comming in from all over the world. Most of these were selling at prices very close to what IJ commercial carbines were selling for and the GI carbines were being snapped up by both shooters and beginning collectors. AMAC set out to tightend up their quality and the rifles improved, but by then it was simply too late. My own opinions are based on what I have observed since the 1970's and suggest avoiding these guns as most have troubles of various types and degrees. Others feel differently and think that these guns offer a low cost option to buying a more expensive GI carbine. $300 seems steep for an example in 90% condition.
  
  Mark T. Christian

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