Universal M1 Carbine

My brother in law more or less permanently loaned me his Universal M1 Carbine today. His father bought 3 of them in the early 1960's for (if I remember right) $20 each. My Bro in law deer hunted with his for 20yrs.

According to the ser# it's from the first generation of Universal carbines that were built with USGI parts, but I can't find flaming bomb emblems or any other subcontractor emblems on it. Has the bolt locking mechanism that Universal did away with in their 2nd generation carbines, but it does have the round bolt of a M2 they used on them. Front sight is held on by a set screw and not a pin. Rifle is a total contradiction to all the info I can find on early Universal carbines.. Oh well it was free...

Got to get some magazines and ammo (he couldn't find his 6 loaded mags) and replace the front and rear sights where they have been hacked on.

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics.

Oh yeah..... Someone "bubba'd" the back sight..... Turned the peep into a "V"............

The Carbine does have the more modern (good) back sight base. And a wood barrel cover. Does it have the bayo lug?

Buy USGI 15rd mags. Don't waste too much $$$ on 30rd mags............

AMMO....... Be prepared for STICKER SHOCK............

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Yeah it has a bayo lug. Are the Korean surplus magazines any good? Found them cheap. Sights reasonably priced too.

Get you some of the new production "Korean" mags, GI knockoffs, work great, under $10. Actually, I don't think ammo is too bad...for RIFLE ammo. You can find it for about $20/50 rds if you look. Of course, I wasn't around in the "good old days"

shoeshooter wrote:............. You can find it for about $20/50 rds if you look. ..............

Carbine ammo at Magnolia's HP matches is fairly cheap($). Mark your calendar for the next Carbine HP match......

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Congrats bubba!

Congrats on getting the Carbine! Now you can come and shoot the Carbine Match with us . We have a great deal on ammo for match use. And if you're not reloading, I'll be happy to pick up your brass for ya

Yeah - The High Power and Carbine match ammo is the best deal going

Congrats Bubbat

Same me some brass!

It's got the M on the mag catch which is suppose to be the M2 mag catch from what I have read.

I use to have one of the early serial # Universals made with surplus parts, ended up selling it a while back. It was a sweet shooting gun. At first I had some trouble with it jamming but I order a wolff spring kit for it and that fixed it right up. Also replaced the magazine springs with wolff springs. Its been a few years ago but I think Cabela's had a pretty good deal on .30 carbine ammo bulk.

I've got a Universal Carbine Made in Hialeah FL.Does anyone know where I could get stock and handguard for it. Thanks

Jim, watch when getting a stock, I know some (or all) of the para trooper stocks won't work on the universals. You can always try gunbroker or gun shows.

http://www.jandcsales.com/m1carb.html

I see Korean mags here, regular and "bolt hold open" versions.

Do they both function equally well?
Is there a better place to buy mags?

ezgo wrote:
http://www.jandcsales.com/m1carb.html

I see Korean mags here, regular and "bolt hold open" versions.

Do they both function equally well?
Is there a better place to buy mags?

I have a couple and have had no problem with them. USGI mags have gone up in price over the past few years ... seems they are running anywhere from $20 - $35 each depending on condition and manufacture. Don't know if you can get them any cheaper ...

PhillipM wrote:Orion 7 also has USGI carbine mags and parts and is reputable.

http://www.m1garand.com/store/m1_carbine_accessories.html

By reputable I mean you won't get reproduction parts billed as USGI.

Those are some good prices on USGI mags ....