M1 Carbine FTF

[igot105]

I own a M1 carbine that does not feed. It appears the bolt is not picking up the round from the magazine. I do not believe it's the magazine follower (tilting) or lack of spring pressure. I've also tried different M1 carbine magazines, but without success. Therefore, I've ruled out the magazine as the cause.

It looks like there is too much play in the magazine when fully seated (even with a firm tap on the bottom of the magazine). The magazine appears to be about an 1/8 inch below where it should be seated, i.e., if I manually push the magazine into the receiver, the bolt will pick up the round and chamber it. Has anyone experienced this problem and/or know if there is a simple fix within the receiver's magazine well? Could it be the magazine catch? Before I take it to a gunsmith, I'm hoping someone might have a suggestion or two. Thanks

[ojisan]

Back in the day I had an off-brand M1 carbine that would not feed, the mag seemed to be too low.
The actual problem was the mag opening in the trigger guard was slightly too long.
The mag would ride low at the front so feeding rounds would nose dive or sometimes the forward moving bolt skipped over the top round.
The crude solution was to add a strip of metal at the front of the mag opening where the front rib of the magazine fits in the slot.
The metal piece was T shaped IIRC with the vertical leg of the T going in the slot and the top bent over to retain it.
I used some steel for this, the steel was just slightly too thick when in the slot to allow the mag to enter.
I filed the steel leg down slowly until the mags fit in snugly but would drop when the mag release was pushed.
This raised the front of the mag and eliminated the feed problem.

[ptmn]

Probably a worn mag catch. Check out page 192 of Jerry Kuhnhausen's carbine shop manual, it's about the only item that fits your description.

What's not in that trouble shoot section is the mag catch spring and plunger, so it's probably not a common issue. Regardless, it's cheaper than a mag catch so check them out to see if they allow your catch to return properly before shelling out for a mag catch, which is only about $20.

If you replace it, I suggest you go with the beefier M2 mag catch if your carbine isn't an all matching collectable. You can get a new M2 mag catch from Fulton Armory for $25

[TKM]

Is the word "Universal" printed on it anywhere?

[ptmn]

TKM, good catch. I didn't think about asking the OP.

OP, if it's a Universal, disregard. Kuhnhausen's manual is specific to GI carbine or GI spec carbines like Plainfield or Fulton Armory. Universal, Kahr, IAI, new Inlands etc arent GI spec.

[igot105]

Unfortunately, my carbine is a Universal and from what i understand it's not GI parts compatible.

[ptmn]

Since its a Universal, that's going to be a tough one. I've seen plenty that run just fine, but just as many that have problems such as what you are running into (and more).

Problem is that Universal has used a few different trigger assemblies, from surplus USGI to aluminum proprietary and they are not interchangeable, to include Universal made trigger assemblies. They have different series factory parts.

Maybe you can find the parts for the specific series you have at Gun Parts Corp or maybe you can take detailed pics , then cruise the gun shows to find a full trigger assembly, but then again, you won't know if it works right until after you buy it and try it.

[Caligunner1]

Actually IAIs do take USGI parts. Like most at the time they just used surplus then had them made when it dried up but not going to the universal route of redesign.

On the Universal side you can check the serial number and if lucky before universal decided to "re- make" the early ones where also USGI parts or compatiable

Good write up here:

http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_universal2.html

To me sounds like a mag catch too and the "m2" latch is a good idea in my mind. I may be wrong but I do not think the mag latch was part of the Universal redesign.