getting an .30 M1 Carbine - any important thing I need to know?

Kampfhamster

Kampfhamster

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Switzerland
I'm about to get myself a .30 M1 Carbine. All I know so far is that is is a "early one", do they have a different sight or something?

I absolute don't have a clue about those little carbines, what do I have to check before I make the purchase?

regards

Kampfhamster
 
Just don't buy one made by Iver Johnston or Universal.

An early receivered carbine doesn't mean much if it's refurbshed (most are).

If not a refurb, an "early" carbine would have no bayonet lug, a 2-position flip sight, a stock with a slide channel that is covered half-way down the length of the slide operating arm, and a push-button safety as opposed to a flip-safety.
 
All Universals are GARBAGE. They use a stamped follower and a dual-spring setup. they do not take USGI parts and if you ever break it, you can;t repair it. They also occasionally go K-boom! and are known for slam fires and poor quality all around. SOME IJ's are ok, but about half are build like the Universals.

Just avoid all that crap and buy something well made with resale value. Get either a commercial Plainfield (commercial receiver with all USGI parts) or a real USGI carbine. You won't go wrong with either of those.

If someone gave me an IJ or a Universal, I would scrap it for parts and torch cut the receiver, I have that little faith in them - honestly!
 
I too am getting a .30 m1 carbine in a few weeks...

qustion..

This one is an under-wood.. It's a restricted.. say something like "USGI" on it along with other lettering... serial starts with 144###X

Any help/information on the under-wood?
 
Claven2 said:
All Universals are GARBAGE.
Click to expand...

A hearty x2 on that one. Any self-respecting M1 Carbine afficionado stays away from them.

Now I know some folks and know of some folks with them on CGN who have them and report no problems or issues, however as a first time M1 Carbine buyer, I would not take the chance.

Besides, wouldn't you rather own the real thing?
 
tpsaux said:
I too am getting a .30 m1 carbine in a few weeks...

qustion..

This one is an under-wood.. It's a restricted.. say something like "USGI" on it along with other lettering... serial starts with 144###X

Any help/information on the under-wood?
Click to expand...

Underwood Elliot Fisher, the typewriter company, was contracted to make them during the war.

Where does it say USGI on it? It shouldn't have that, if it does, it was stamped by bubba.

I don't have my books with me, but I can provide you some more info when I get home.
 
the plainfiedls was org made with leftover usgi parts and usgi parts will fit them they were made for many police depart in the m2 select fire version

they are ok
 
Early model Universals are ok. The late models, after they redesigned it for unknown reasons, are junk. Gunparts has some parts for late model Universals, but they're really not worth fixing when, not if, parts break. The badly made stamped op handles tend to break.
Iver Johnsons are ok too. Of the commercial carbines, the Plainfield is the best. Mine likes 110 grain HPs with IMR4227. It's never given me a lick of trouble that a bath didn't fix in 30 years. It was a sad day when Trudeau's gang restricted the carbine.
99.99% of all military carbines went through an arsenal rebuild. So if somebody tells you they have an 'all original' parts(meaning all internal parts were made by the same maker as the action) carbine, somebody went to a lot of expense to put find and put in the parts.
 
Actualy, Inland Div. GM was the most common maker, followed closely by Winchester Repeating Arms. Interestingly, Winchester was the only producer of GI carbines with previous small arms production experience.
 
Sunray there are many many many m1 carbines in canada in original condition with the typ1 bands flip rear sight and push safties

99% of my m1 carbines have these features none were restored

it seems that canada got many carbines from US allies that were never upgraded by the us government
 
M1 Carbines are like peanuts - it's hard to have "just one". :)

They are also nice little shooters. I finally have accumulated enough spare parts to build one, less the receiver (arriving soon). I'm a purist, but this particular one is going to have a scope on it when I'm done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom