M1 Carbine Jamming problem.

[virulosity]

I am trying to determine if this is a magazine issue or a gas system issue. Basically every third or fourth round will either stovepipe, FTE, or will eject and then FTF the following round. I thought the FTF might be a magazine issue, but considering everything else that is happening I think the rifle might be short stroking. Any ideas, methodology for solving, or experience?
Thanks!

[NRAhighpowershooter]

how old is the recoil spring?

[virulosity]

It is a plainfield that I inherited. This was the first time I have shot it. Its probably been 30 years since it was last fired. I noticed it is very easy to pull the charging handle back (compared to garand) but I figured this is normal.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

put a new recoil spring in it........ it's WAYYYYY over due.........

[NeoWeird]

My CMP Carbine does not shoot my USGI 30 rounders well when fully loaded. Once they hit about 24ish rounds then they cycle fine. I have no problems with my USGI 15 rounders. Now I just use the 15 rounders; which is more period correct for my lower serial Inland.

I've heard that some 10 rounders are jam-o-matics as well. That might be the problem.

I've also heard that the gas system on the Carbine is very prone to getting gunked up and dirty. My carbine spring is also very weak and I think it needs to be replaced.

I'd bet 90% of my Carbine problems are due to worn springs. I'd imagine yours is the same. A good cleaning wouldn't hurt either.

[virulosity]

I thought that the gas system can't be cleaned as it is closed loop? Do you know of a decent online tutorial on cleanining the gas system? Where is a good place to get new springs? Why do I ask so many questions?

[NRAhighpowershooter]

Get real GI springs from Orion7 www.m1garandrifle.com

As for the gas system.. it is a tappet system.. if the lttle piston moves there is no need to clean it... one way to tell if the piston is moving freely is to take the STRIPPED action.. put your finger over the breech end and blow blow into the muzzle like a balloon.. the piston should move.... more than likely it will only need new springs and a good cleaning.. don't use grease!! the Carbine was designed to be lubed with oil.

[bohoki]

what ammo you using ?

i made some light reloads that would just eject but not strip another round

you dont need a new recoil spring

you need to try a box of the aguila

it works great

[virulosity]

Well that might be 2 problems right there . I thought you were supposed to grease the same locations as a garand. I will degrease it then. I was using wolf ammo. Recoil seemed light but I think it has to do with .30 carbine more than a light load. Overall the ammo seemed pretty consistent and accurate.

[Iknownot]

Why would using grease make a difference?

[NeoWeird]

what's easier to walk though, waste deep water or waste deep mud thick enough to stick to the ceiling?

Grease may be a lubricant but it's viscosity grabs and inhibits motion as well. If a firearm is not designed to use grease, such as the M1 Carbine or M16, then it won't function properly with them.

Grease also attracts and holds onto grit, powder, dirt, etc and cakes up further impeding motion. On blowback guns this is especially a problem, and while the M1 Carbine is not a true blowback gun, it opens fast enough to let more carbon, powder, etc back into the action than a true gas gun like the M1 Garand.

[Iknownot]

Well, I could see it making a difference if the rifle were dirty, but a fine layer of grease should really do about the same thing as oil, assuming things are clean.

In any case, I was just curious.

[M. Sage]

Well, I could see it making a difference if the rifle were dirty, but a fine layer of grease should really do about the same thing as oil, assuming things are clean.

In any case, I was just curious.

Negative. The difference in viscosity between grease and oil is huge.

[Iknownot]

Fair enough.

[Mac Attack]

I would bet it is the springs.