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How good are the Universal M1 Carbines? I don't know when it was manufactured and I haven't fired it yet, but it looks to be in good shape. Are they reliable and reasonably accurate? And what's the price range on them?

Help!

Crash

I don't know firsthand, but here's a thread that has some posts by people who owned them:

https://www.shootersforum.com/rifles-ri ... rbine.html

The early models used mostly surplus parts, but as those became unavailable and parts were manufactured the quality and reliability suffered. They made design changes and manufacture their own parts including eliminating some. The ones I saw when I was selling firearms in the mid1960' to early 70's were junk.

Yeah, what Puma Guy said^^ As I recall, they basically made three revs. The first gen carbines were good to go, and I think the 2nd gen carbines were OK, but by the time they made 3rd gen carbines they were junk. I think if the serial # is below 92,000 your in the good range.

Here's some more info
http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_universal2.html

I always really wanted a .30 carbine. I was going to buy one in 1985, but the gun shop guy talked me into a stainless Mini-14.

ScottDLS wrote:I always really wanted a .30 carbine. I was going to buy one in 1985, but the gun shop guy talked me into a stainless Mini-14.

I have a wonderful 1943 vintage Inland that is a joy to shoot. My son gave it to me for Christmas about 5 years ago. Made me cry.

This new Inland company is manufacturing new M1 Carbines. I'm sure by now you can find reviews on their product. M1 carbines are a kick to shoot and their connection to the Greatest Generation has so much meaning for me. I lost mine to a theft years ago, but have since bought a surplus Inland model. After he passed away I got Dad's Quality Hardware made carbine, which he got through the CMP in the 60's. Not long after he acquired it I carved a puma head on the buttstock, much to his chagrin. What can I say, I've always been a puma guy.



Here's Jerry Miculek's review of the new Inland Carbines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko_3X5mQSDo

I have witnessed 2 experiences with a Universal, both negative. For me mine is a GI Rock Ola and never any problems at all.
We had a escaped felon in a wooded area and one officer got out with a Universal, after all was over and almost everyone left he said look what I found and showed us a target in the gravel pit, he fired at it 1st shot was fine, then jam chambered another he thought and click no round, the other was a pistol version jam o matic,

Lena wrote:I have witnessed 2 experiences with a Universal, both negative. For me mine is a GI Rock Ola and never any problems at all.
We had a escaped felon in a wooded area and one officer got out with a Universal, after all was over and almost everyone left he said look what I found and showed us a target in the gravel pit, he fired at it 1st shot was fine, then jam chambered another he thought and click no round, the other was a pistol version jam o matic,

Yep! Sounds like the Universals we sold in the late 60's and early 70's. I never tried to push them, but every once in a while someone would come in waning to look at them.

When I was first looking for an M1 carbine, I bought a Universal, I think 3rd generation. It was awful. I quickly sold it and bought one through CMP. I don't think CMP has them for sale with any regularity anymore though.