M1 Carbine: Sticky Bolted Lopsided Loosey Goosey Trash?

[dubious]

Hi... I just received an Iver Johnson m1 carbine and I have a few questions for you m1 carbine pros. I fired or disassmebled opened the gun at all, just inspecting it. I don't yet have a magazine for it.

1. the bolt is hard to cock it with the slide lever. Once it's cocked it's easy to work back and forth. I Pop the trigger and once again the bolt is sticky. I can operate the bolt real hard or a few times real fast and it works again.

2. if you look down the sights, the right side of the handguard is a bit higher than the left side. This model has a ventilated metal handguard

3. the gun is just fairly shaky and noisy all around. The whole barrel and trigger assembly shake a little when pushed.


This is a post war commercial manufactured gun and I know these guns have some very loose tolerances. But I'm pretty darn concerned. Any ideas?

 

[il_10]

Do you have any experience with m1 carbines other than this one? When you pull the bolt back, you're moving the hammer into the cocked position. How difficult to pull back are we talking?

The bolts in the Ivers are notorious for galling; I traded the one I had for an IBM for just that reason. Have the headspace checked. If that's good and it shoots and functions, it's nothing to worry about. If the headspace is out of spec, take it to a gun show and find a bolt that headspaces correctly.

These guns are pretty much GI spec. The bolts are either a softer steel or not as well heat treated as most GI bolts, but they're generally pretty easy to swap around. Keep an eye on the receiver rails and inside for galling

Don't worry about the handguard, or the rattling. They're loose guns, which makes them reliable. Combat accuracy is about the best you should expect without really knowing what you're doing to tune them.
Fulton-Armory.com is a good resource for parts and manuals, and I suggest you pick up a manual for it.

 

[dubious]

Do you have any experience with m1 carbines other than this one? When you pull the bolt back, you're moving the hammer into the cocked position. How difficult to pull back are we talking?

Its just difficult at first... like 10 or 15lbs slow and steady... or a very fast lighter hand motion. Occasionally, it just gets stuck and I have to try again. If i get past that initial locking resistance its easy. I've handled some m1 carbines in gun shows but didnt notice this issue. Its a little bit sporadic on my gun, so maybe i just didnt notice. Guns in general, I have a lot of experience with.

 

[dubious]

No ideas, eh guys?

 

[rcmodel]

My idea is it needs some oil & grease in all the right places.

Sounds like it is just dryer then a bone right now.

Tear it down, clean it, and use some oil on everything that moves.
And some grease on the op-rod cam, bolt lugs, and hammer face where the bolt pushes it back to cock it.

Heres how if you don't know how:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/m1carbine/rifledisassembly/index.asp

rc

 

[average_shooter]

I'm not entirely familiar with M1 Carbines. However, what you describe sounds "normal."

The bolt will naturally be harder to work when you're working against the hammer spring as well. Once the hammer is cocked it's easier to work the bolt.

Sounds like it needs a good take down, cleaning, and re-lube. Probably get pretty slick after that.

 

[dubious]

Hmmm that's not a bad idea... I may just give that a shot. I still dont know why the handguard seems to be lopsided.

 

[average_shooter]

That may also not become apparent until you take it apart to clean it.

Also, pictures would help us help you.

 

[dubious]

The bolt will naturally be harder to work when you're working against the hammer spring as well. Once the hammer is cocked it's easier to work the bolt.

I've handled a lot of guns and I can tell you this is definitely a "lock up", not just normal resistance of cocking the hammer. It feels like metal edge against a metal edge... not just a spring resisting.

 

[il_10]

It sounds like it could be the bolt galling on the side and one of the lugs catching on the receiver. Inspect the locking lugs and receiver and see if this looks correct.