M1 Carbine question/problem

[bruce381]

stick with a GI mag and like said clean it and cross your fingers

[Quiet]

IMO...
$200-300.

AFAIK...
Universal Carbines with the SSXXXX serial number range were made from 1985-1986.

[ARFrog]

History and serial number info:

http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_universal.html

Manual:

http://www.maxicon.com/guns/universal_m1/u_m1_manual.htm

More info:

http://maxicon.com/guns/universal_m1/universal_m1_carbine_production.htm

Hope some of this is helpful OP.

[Brad H]

History and serial number info:

http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_universal.html

Manual:

http://www.maxicon.com/guns/universal_m1/u_m1_manual.htm

More info:

http://maxicon.com/guns/universal_m1/universal_m1_carbine_production.htm

Hope some of this is helpful OP.

Interesting, I just learned that one of mine is a Generation 1 with mostly GI parts. Thanks for the links!

[NorcalGSG]

Interesting, I just learned that one of mine is a Generation 1 with mostly GI parts. Thanks for the links!

Yep, the telltale way to tell is the early ones use the usgi slide, and the later ones which are more problematic like the O.P.'s have the slide handle made of sheet metal and it's cut open in an oval shape where the bolt lug is visible in it. The usgi ones are a solid forging and there is no opening on the outside of the bolt lug for the cam surface.
Pics on the internet will make more sense.

[Brad H]

Yep, the telltale way to tell is the early ones use the usgi slide, and the later ones which are more problematic like the O.P.'s have the slide handle made of sheet metal and it's cut open in an oval shape where the bolt lug is visible in it. The usgi ones are a solid forging and there is no opening on the outside of the bolt lug for the cam surface.
Pics on the internet will make more sense.

I have one of each so I know exactly what you are talking about. I always wondered why they were so different but never did the research. I found the info in the links above really interesting.

[NorcalGSG]

Another easy way to tell is if they are in a rifle rack and you can see the bottom, the wood cut out in the stock for the trigger housing on a late universal is a rectangle due to the shape of the trigger housing. A usgi pattern has the cut out wider in front for the magwell, and it tapers narrower in the back where the trigger guard section is. That is mainly why the stocks are not interchangeable between the early and late Universals. The slide lock is unique on the late ones also compared to usgi.