Iver Johnson carbines

[doncb]

Are there problems with the Iver Johnson carbines? Should I stay away from them? thanks donb in fl.

Information

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[Harlan (Deceased)]

donc,

Here's an extensive bit of info in an awesome site one of our members put together about commercial carbines.
There's some extensive info here, if you haven't seen it before.

Iver Johnson Arms M1 Carbine

I've never owned one, but from being around here for many years, I've heard there was a problem with some of the later models firing 'out of battery'.
I've also heard that the earlier models were better quality, and used more USGI parts.

You'll be able to get much first hand researched and documented info from the web site.
Jim has a link on his site so you can ask him further questions if you have particulars that aren't covered on his site.

HTH
~ Harlan

[phil441]

Hey Harlan,

Do you remember where you saw negative feedback on the IJ's ?
Jim's site seems to be going through another revamp. (Where does he find the time?)
Not doubting you one bit, but some of the Universal's stigma might have rubbed off on the others?
So far as I know, locally, only Ed (Tired Retired) and I collect dangerous carbines

Thanks for any info you might happen to recall.....

Phil

[phil441]

Hey again Harlan,

Never mind the last post as I found one that might be what you're remembering...
http://www.thegunzone.com/ij-m1carbine_kb.html
I'd never seen it before. I'm sure there's more.....
Sure wish we had a "delete post" key here.....

Again, Nevermind......
Phil

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Are you still shooting that dangerous Universal Phil???
I've 'heard' they were notorious for exploding.

There again, I'm only able to repeat what I've 'heard' and what I 'remember,' and both are as fallible as a Universal M1 carbine (oops, there I go again!)

Actually, I don't have any first hand experience with commercial carbines other than my Erma .22, which is a different design altogether, so I can only report what I've read about.

Jim has a section that covers possible safety issues, and it begins with the firing out of battery possibility of commercial carbines with a detailed description.
He says that there have been rare examples of most all commercial carbines 'blowing up'
I tend to believe what he has to say, as he has done more research on commercial carbines than anyone I've ever known.
(Yes indeed - How does he have the time to do all of this?)

M1CarbinesInc.com

[Faulkner]

I've owned half a dozen Iver Johnson M1 carbines through the years and still have two in the vault. Back before the IJ plant in Jacksonville, Arkansas, closed down we could pick them up pretty reasonably from the local gun shops. As IJ was going out of business I bought several at fire sale prices and gave them away as Christmas and birthday presents.

I've owned IJ made carbines that had a number of USGI parts on them and some that had none. The one pictured below is one of last ones made and it has no USGI parts on it. For years I shot only my IJ carbines with the thought of saving wear and tear on my USGI collection. From my experiance I've had no more problems with a Iver Johnson that I've had with USGI carbines. I kind of thought the IJ adjustable rear sight was of less quality than a USGI (I replaced a couple with milled USGI) and there is obvious evidence of forging on the recievers but that's mostly cosmetic and is usually covered by the stock. The quality of the commercially made Springfield, Inc, receivers that I have used is better. The IJ carbines have been plenty accurate and reliable and all mine came with USGI magazines. I've fired hundreds of rounds through IJ's and never had a out of battery issue.

I must clarify, I've only dealt with IJ carbines made at the Jacksonville plant. Obviously not as desirable as a USGI carbine, but I wouldn't shy away from an IJ for a shooter if the price was right.

[imarangemaster]

My first carbine in about 1982 was a DCM Winchester, type I sight and Band (which at the time I thought were UGLY). I foolishly traded it for a Sterling made AR-180, which I eventually traded off too. I missed the carbine so bad, I decided I needed another one (THIS IS WHERE IT BEGAN!!!!) So, the second carbine I owned was a Iver Johnson, back in the mid-1980s. It was a great little weapon. I used it for an LE trunk weapon. It looked identical to Faulkner's above. I decided it needed a bayonet lug (God knows why) and I replaced the type II band with a type III. I carried the IJ as a LEO trunk weapon (not authorized, but if I needed it that bad, who cares!) After a few years I traded it for a pristine, very early Universal in an SA potbelly with mostly GI parts, including the barrel. I had that until about 1990 where the Blue skies came in, and swapped it for an Underwood mixmaster.

When I was considering WW II re-enacting, I actually considered get an IJ or Plainfield, and putting Type I repro sight and sling, and drill and tap for screw in blank plug. I did not want to butcher a real USGI to go play soldier!