Is my M1carbine any good?

Question

I have an early M1 carbine made by Universal, I know it's a copy of a GI M1 and has no collectable value, but is it good for just shooting for fun? I'm looking for the more technical answer.

Answer 1

Yes, the Universal carbine is safe, reliable, accurate enough, and fun to shoot. It is a bit more powerful than a .30 cal pistol and quite a bit less than most .30 cal rifles. Barely adequate for hunting deer-sized game but effective on smaller stuff with the right bullets. Kicks less like a mule and more like a rabbit - someone must have been thinking of the M1 Rifle.

Answer 2

For plinking it is a good design that has almost no recoil. It fires inexpensive ammunition and is handy to carry - not to mention the reason it was designed, it was easier to master than the M1911 pistol.

The universal is a contracted out company - it is no better and no worse than my Inland M1 Carbine or a Springfield for that matter.

I would look if you have a flip sight or a sliding range site. If you have a flip, I would look into getting it replaced and if you are interested there are folding polymer stocks that can be purchased.

You can not pick a better centerfire weapon for shooting fun, the only other is a 22LR which is rimfire and underpowered, but ammunition costs less.

Answer 3

Your Universal carbine, if in good shape, may bring several hundred dollars. If you just want to shoot for fun, I'd replace it with a .22 like a Marlin model 60, which is more accurate, a lot cheaper to shoot, and you can put 250 bucks in your pocket for something else. You can also mount a scope on the Marlin 60 for about $25, but it's not easy or cheap on the M-1 carbine.

Some dealers that specialize in military type weapons will be very interested in it, and you can bank on getting offers at any decent gun-show. Don't slight the dealers. They're more ready, willing and able to buy than a lot of casual show-goers, and you'll likely get as much or even more money.

The M-1 carbine isn't much of a target or hunting weapon. A few people keep one for "protection", but a shotgun is better for that, because it is less likely to overshoot your target and hurt someone else.

Answer 4

The M1 carbine is a smal;l rifle andnot very powerful. It will kill, but only has a short effective range.
The asvantages, it is light in weight and easy to carry around. It was designed for tank crewman, clerks, cooks, not as an attack weapon but as a defensive weapon.
Itwas also used by airborne troops.Again,light,easy to carry.
It is center fire,.30 cal, accurate, and is miles above a .22., If you want to do a lot of shooting, a .22 would be a lot cheaper.

Answer 5

It's a 30-06 right? It doesn't have to be great in order to enjoy shooting. The 30-06 isn't the cheapest to shoot but it does have it's good points. You can go hunting with it or just target practice with it. It's a heavy rifle and not one I'd prefer to carry any long distance but I do like a good recoil. It's weight will calm down that recoil.

Sorry I misunderstood. I thought you were talking about an M1 Grand. It's a .30 cal. I owned a paratrooper model that had a pistol grip. It was fun to shoot and great for plinking. Mine had a short barrel and wasn't that great at long range (over 100 yards).

Answer 6

Check for head space problems .This can be done with a Go-NoGo guage in the correct caliber range 306 ,308,380.

Answer 7

Defiantly have a gun smith look at it, but if it was designed to the same specs. as the M-1, then its a pretty good weapon. It'll kick like mule, but it won't break for anything.

Answer 8

Yeppers it should shoot pretty nice as long as theres no barrel wear or sear wear. 30 caliber ammo wow theres nostalgia.

Answer 9

Have a pro look at it. I would love to have one! Extra magazines might be hard to come by though.

Answer 10

Dont know much about them first hand, but here is some info for you