M1 Carbine question

[Jesse C.]

I know that a few around here collect and restore vinatage arms and I am hoping you can chime in.

Someone has just recently offered me an M1 Carbine made by Universal and from what I have been reading, it may not be a good thing.

He is asking $200 for it and it seems to be in clean shape. I have not looked to see if it is a GI parts verion or their own crazy re-designed version.

So, regardless of the version, is this too much money for it?

If the thing is broken then I am only going to offer a few bucks to make it a display gun.

Your thoughts

TIA!

[bdk]

Sounds like a good price for a Universal if it works. Many GI parts will not fit.

[Hal B]

$200 is a good price for a Universal, I've seen 'em around here with prices of $325-375, but they weren't selling too fast. Some GI parts will interchange; fire control parts, mag. catches and etc.. But most major parts wont interchange. If its in nice shape and you can get it for $200 it might be worth having. If not, save your money for a real GI carbine.

[Old SAR pilot]

If it's an early Universal, that's a good price. Also, if it's an early one, GI parts will interchange. On the later ones, particularly those with the "sheet-metal slide", parts swapping is problematic. Either way, the price is not too bad.

I agree with Hal, though...Save up the $$ and get a real one.

[Hal B]

And if you want one and don't have it yet, you might consider moving on it soon. They'll probably be included in the next federal AWB

[Jesse C.]

Thanks for your thoughts and advice and I have decided to just buck up and get a real one.

I came across some serious info the Universal and I was totally convinced not to buy it.

I should have bought myself a real one when the local gun shop had them for a $100 a piece! Oh well, live and learn!

[Obergrafeter]

Should have bought one back in the sixties when you could get one mail order from the NRA for 25 bucks.

[A2C]

What's the difference between a G.I. and a universal? Is the G.I. just a standard m1, and the universal the carbine?

Thanks,

[bdk]

Looks the same. The Universal was commercially made.

[Matt Gunsch]

the US M1 Carbine and the Universal M1 Carbine are not the same. Very few, if any parts willl interchange. If you can afford it, go for the real deal.

To me it is like buying a surplus M-1 Garand, that has a history to it, and a new production Springfield Armory M-1. They look the same, and shoot the same, but one is a piece of history, and one is a rifle

[Jack Cook]

BTW good movie Carbine Williams with Jimmy Stewart!

[Obergrafeter]

Carbine Willams, now thats a blast from the past. Haven't seen that one in over 30 years.

[bdk]

the US M1 Carbine and the Universal M1 Carbine are not the same. Very few, if any parts willl interchange. If you can afford it, go for the real deal.

To me it is like buying a surplus M-1 Garand, that has a history to it, and a new production Springfield Armory M-1. They look the same, and shoot the same, but one is a piece of history, and one is a rifle

If you're just looking for a shooting stick or you don't want to scratch up a good one while reenacting, the Universal should work fine. I had one a long time ago and thoroughly enjoyed shooting it.

[A2C]

I've heard the carbine isn't very accurate, and that they have little to no kick.

[Matt Gunsch]

I've heard the carbine isn't very accurate, and that they have little to no kick.

It is accurate enough for its intended purpose, but it is basically a pistol cartridge being fired from a rifle. It is a 110gr bullet that in Korea, did not have enough power to punch thru the winter clothes of the enemy.

I have a copy of the Readers Digest that has the story of Marshall Williams, written by the Warden Peoples, that later became the movie, Carbine Williams.