Universal M1 carbine

[cwalker3]

Anyone ever heard of this make? I seen an immaculate one today at a gunshow for $395. Came close to getting it, except I'd never heard of the mfg. Is it USGI or just a rebuild like Century's Garands?

[Richard Simmons]

Universal carbines are not military and I believe many of the parts will not interchange with surplus military parts. Universal made these carbines from the early 1960's until January 1983 when they were bought by Iver Johnson. IJ kept the Universal name and made the carbines until late 1988 or early 89. Some sources refer to the Universals as a "straight forward copy" of the military pattern. Either way I have one and like it very much. It has never failed to function, is light and fun to shoot. The only thing that keeps it in the armory instead of at the range is the price of ammo. I have used the same 15rd mag to put about 1200 rds through mine and it is still working great though the finish after 17 years is a little light. I have others in the wrap but one has been all I need to use so far. I think the price is in line for the times. I paid under $100 OTD from Big 5 Sporting Goods when I lived in San Diego in 1984. :D

[Schuetzenman]

Opinions differ. To me $395 is high by about $95. Sometimes you can find a GI Inland mfg. carbine for about that say $425.

[Rew]

For a Universel, in my opinion. I paid less for a Planefield less than a year ago. And it resides in a repo M1A1 stock. I am lucky it like's the Lee 113 grain bullet, or I would be able to afford to shoot the darn thing.

;)
Rew

[cwalker3]

Thanks for the info. I figured it looked too good to be USGI, which is what I went looking for in the first place. Guess I'll just keep looking.