M1 Carbine
- Thread starter joejoeshooter
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If it's a Universal or one of the IMI rebuilds, no. Universal didn't follow USGI specs and some parts will not work if coming from a USGI gun. The IMI rebuilds rattle so bad when you shake them its like a handful of rocks in a Folgers Coffee can.
If it's an Iver Johnson, Plainfield, or one that is all USGI then yes ..... as long as it's not beat up too badly.
Got any pics you can share?
If it's an Iver Johnson, Plainfield, or one that is all USGI then yes ..... as long as it's not beat up too badly.
Got any pics you can share?
Gordon
Member
I just glady bought a like new 1969 Plainfield with all GI parts for $450. I have a clean Inland, of course parts mixed over it's life. The Inlands in nice shape like mine are $800 locally. A rough as a cob Inland is worth $500 !
I wouldn't give $150 for any universal, I've learned and releared that lesson over the las 35 years!
I wouldn't give $150 for any universal, I've learned and releared that lesson over the las 35 years!
Actually it might be worth the $$$...
Depends on what year the universal was produced. If it is an early model...then ALL of the parts are USGI, and can be interchanged with USGI. Even the later ones will have some USGI parts in them...but you never know which parts are USGI and which are not. When they ran out of certain parts they started to make their own...this is when Universal started to get the rep many have stated here.
I have an early Universal and it shoots well, and is more desirable than later universals. Its one of the first 20,000 produced. If the serial number is that low...then $350 may be about right. Only you can determine that.
Depends on what year the universal was produced. If it is an early model...then ALL of the parts are USGI, and can be interchanged with USGI. Even the later ones will have some USGI parts in them...but you never know which parts are USGI and which are not. When they ran out of certain parts they started to make their own...this is when Universal started to get the rep many have stated here.
I have an early Universal and it shoots well, and is more desirable than later universals. Its one of the first 20,000 produced. If the serial number is that low...then $350 may be about right. Only you can determine that.
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I bought my Universal Carbine for $300, and have seen some like new for $350. They have a poor reputation but I'm enamoured with mine. While replacement parts are available from fewer vendors, they're not exactly difficult to find. And the rifle comes drilled and tapped for a side scope mount, which I put to good use. Nice little sporter for a great price.
OTOH, you don't say who made it, so...
If it's a GI gun and in decent shape - ie, not shot out - that's one heck of a good deal! Even if it is a shot-out beater, that's a great deal. If it's a Winnie or Rock Ola, it's a super-duper deal.
No expert on them, but other brands probably fetch a few $$ too. Jouster might have specific info on the various brands.
If it's a collectible and rings your bell, you could probably find a replacement barrel on line or from a collector's org and get her in tip-top shape.
Hope you're on to something good - they're a fun little gun to shoot!
If it's a GI gun and in decent shape - ie, not shot out - that's one heck of a good deal! Even if it is a shot-out beater, that's a great deal. If it's a Winnie or Rock Ola, it's a super-duper deal.
No expert on them, but other brands probably fetch a few $$ too. Jouster might have specific info on the various brands.
If it's a collectible and rings your bell, you could probably find a replacement barrel on line or from a collector's org and get her in tip-top shape.
Hope you're on to something good - they're a fun little gun to shoot!
Maverick223
Member
Great deal for an M1 Carbine (USGI), fair price for a 1st Generation Universal, and horrible deal on a later gen. Universal.
Look at it this way. Receivers alone would be what? 250, 300? Along with the balance of parts, even IF the barrel was crap and needed replacing, a base model carbine at 350 is pretty good. But as so many have pointed out, if it is a later model Universal (flat op rod), it is a bit of a gamble and I never buy those, only the G.I. styled, early Universals. And I have had several of those and they have been 100% functioning rifles. Great little guns.
Well depends on what you want. If its a G.I. one, like a Rock-ola, Winchester, Inland, etc. then go for it, if its not in bad shape. My M1 Carbine is one of my most fun guns to shoot!
carbine85
Member
If you want a M1 Carbine then buy a real USGI or even a Plainfield. The only thing that's M1 on the Universal Carbine is the round it shoots.
$380.00 is a good deal for most M1 Carbines. They are great little rifles and I love all of mine.
$380.00 is a good deal for most M1 Carbines. They are great little rifles and I love all of mine.
If it functions, and looks like it's in good shape - YEP.
They are hard to find and about $500 at CMP.
They are hard to find and about $500 at CMP.
I bought a later model two spring Universal for $200 after talking with my shooting buddies who have two or three each. If they are well cared for and you keep up on cleaning and maintenance its a fun plinker. They also have USGI models (they're M1 Carbine nuts) and their USGIs have problems as well. Parts for the Universals can be found, I have recently discovered, and because it is what is it it's no big deal to play around with them ... drill scope holes, mount a picatinny rail, etc. Something you'd never do with a USGI. But I wouldn't pay more than $200 for a Uni because it's just a fun gun. Not something you'd want to stake your life on.
Maverick223
Member
That's not necessarily true, the earlier Universals were pretty good guns made with 95% USGI surplus parts. They don't have the history, or quite as good of workmanship, but they are fine little carbines nonetheless. That said, my only .30cal carbine is a USGI M1 Carbine.
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