Universal M1 Carbine

[foghornl]

I have a Universal Carbine (I know, not a real WWII USGI Carbine) with an unusual failure. After firing 3 rounds, the bolt will not close, hangs up solidly about 3/4" short of battery. This is with or without ammo and magazine installed.
Also, there does not seem to be any spring tension on the bolt. It does not fall freely when the Carbine is tilted, but there is very little effort required to move the bolt.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to start (short of buy a Rock-Ola Grin!!)
TIA to all the forum users

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Is this a 1st or 2nd Gen?

The 2nd Gen guns have a skeletonized slide where the locking lug cam race is exposed. These are well known for cracking, which could cause a failure to return to battery. The 2nd Gen guns also used smaller, dual action springs- one (or both) of these could have lost a few coils....

They also had problems with failed gas block welds, but I would think if that were the case, you would have a failure to cycle rather than return to battery issue.

If the slide isnt obviously cracked, youll probably have to pull the action out of the stock to inspect the innards. Its not difficult, there are videos on Woketube on how to do it.

 

[foghornl]

hmmm not sure S/N is1553xx

 

[foghornl]

got the handguard off..looks like the op-rod is broken

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

got the handguard off..looks like the op-rod is broken

Pics?

I think that part is usually referred to as the "slide" on a Carbine- seems like "Op-rod" is generally reserved for Garands and M14s.....
But ya, Im pretty sure we are talking about the same thing.

S/N in the 150K range would be a 2nd Gen.

 

[foghornl]

Took the action out of the stock. It is a dual-spring setup. The op-rod to gas cylinder welds are broken. Wasn't using any insane ammo, PPU (Prvi Partizan) .30 Carbine 110-gr FMJ

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

These guys are showing them in stock-
https://www.garandpartsandmore.com/Universal-Carbine-Slide-Late-Models_p_311.html

Jack First made a run of slides a few years ago, but no longer list them- I suspect these guys bought out the remaining stock. In any event, this is a very good price, they were (IIRC) $240 originally.

Common failure on 2ng Gen guns, they pretty much all break eventually. Supposedly the new production part is more durable.

 

[foghornl]

Springs and "op-rod"

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Welp, that'll do it, lol.

 

[foghornl]

NightLord:

Thanks for your help. I have placed my order for the slide. It looks much more solid with the line weld instead of 2 spot welds. Listed at $110.

Yours in Life and Liberty
Foghornl aka Clarke

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

NP, glad to help!

BTW, love my Universal (1st Gen), one of my all time favorite rifles.

As much as the 2nd Gens get a bad rap, they really aren't terrible aside from the weak slides- though granted thats a serious failure mode. Even the later guns used forged receivers which is rare among postwar commercial Carbines. Most of the stories of them jamming can be traced to worn out surplus GI magazines, IMO. The new-made Korean mags have a good reputation and Ive seen properly "hung" 2nd Gen guns get excellent accuracy.