M1 Carbine Feeding Like Molasses or Not At All

[scubatke]

I recently purchased a 1944 Inland M1 Carbine which I have not fired yet. With an empty mag or no mag at all, the bolt seems to function in good order. When I placed a loaded mag in the gun and manually functioned the bolt only about 20% of the rounds will load into the chamber far enough for the gun to go into battery and many of those don't even come close. I have tried the mag that came with the gun (I believe it is USGI) as well as a new after market mag from Brownell's; I have also tried two different types of ammunition no of which have resulted in any improvement.

I've been looking around on this site and elsewhere but haven't been able to find anything helpful. I'm hoping that someone on this forum can help solve my problem or direct me to somewhere that can.

Thanks,
Jeff

Information

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[bnz43]

Take a look at the gas tappet piston and make sure it moves freely. You will need the special wrench to remove the piston if it is binding.

[Bill Hollinger]

First, welcome to the site! Ah, SCUBA! My PADI instructors number is OWSI 33300.

Second, change the magazine if you have another. If not, pull the floor plate off the magazine, clean it very good and lightly (LIGHTLY) oil the inside and follower. Check to make sure the sides are not bent inward causing the follower to bind. Make sure the lips of the magazine are not bent inward causing too much drag on the round being picked up (how difficult does the round slide forward out of the magazine). If they are bent you may choose to bend them back out however if this is something you have not done be careful and don't bend too much. Use wide duckbill pliers so that you bend evenly. If you don't feel comfortable doing this then don't. This can be tricky getting it just right. Next, pull the slide and spring/spring guide assembly and clean very good. Dab some grease on the contact points with a Q-Tip. If this doesn't work you may need a new spring.

[painter777]

Jeff,
Where are you in Michigan?
You can send me a E-mail or private message if you'd prefer.

Charlie-painter777
Williamston, MI

I'd pull the bolt out. While out see if the bottom tail of the firing pin slides freely in the bottom slot, Next, I'd try cleaning/de-greasing the bolt. The Extractor may be jammed up.
Spray de-grease, blow dry and lube.
Look for large burrs on either of the bolts lugs.
Also check the feed ramp to see if it is scarred up or rough.
Pretty common to get froze up bolts from being stored a long time with packing grease hardened up.

If you've tried multiple mags and a couple types of ammo. I tend to think it's a bolt gummed up issue.
Easy enough to clean, then eliminate it, if not the problem.

This picture shows the Extractor, and the flat part of the plunger setting on the extractors ledge. You should be able to pry it back and forth. If not it's gummed up, or might have a jammed/broken plunger behind it.

[INLAND44]

I recently purchased a 1944 Inland M1 Carbine which I have not fired yet. With an empty mag or no mag at all, the bolt seems to function in good order. When I placed a loaded mag in the gun and manually functioned the bolt only about 20% of the rounds will load into the chamber far enough for the gun to go into battery and many of those don't even come close. I have tried the mag that came with the gun (I believe it is USGI) as well as a new after market mag from Brownell's; I have also tried two different types of ammunition no of which have resulted in any improvement.

I've been looking around on this site and elsewhere but haven't been able to find anything helpful. I'm hoping that someone on this forum can help solve my problem or direct me to somewhere that can.

Thanks,
Jeff

The loading procedure is; lock a loaded mag into the carbine; draw back the slide all the way and release it. Your post leads me to believe you are 'riding' the slide to let it close slowly. Other than that, any gun 'new to you' should be thoroughly 'G.I.d' before shooting. If you can't take the bolt apart at this time, at least soak it in penetrant and make sure the ejector and extractor move and has spring tension and the firing pin shakes. Then oil the bolt. Your recoil spring might be weak or gummed up. Generally a stuck gas piston will be found pushed all the way in, so its not likely that its causing loading problems. Most of the time the first round fired will loosen the gas piston. You can spray it with brake cleaner and move it in and out with a magnet to help clean it. The excess solvent will run down the gas port and out the barrel, taking any oil with it, so oil the barrel afterwards.
Clean the barrel and chamber with bore cleaner and a bronze brush. That should absolutely be the first thing done before trying to load.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

scubatke,

You live close to Charlie (painter 777) maybe you can get some help from him.

Jim

[scubatke]

Wow...thanks for all of the replies!

Everything seems very loose and operating well when the mag is empty or removed; the problem does not appear on the last 5-7 rounds in a mag. No, I am not riding the slide.

The hang up seems to be happening before the chamber and I noticed that when it does not go into battery, some of the time I can not assist the bolt forward (it seems like a hard stop). When the rounds load and the gun goes into battery the extractor works well. On the ones that don't go into battery, the extractor is not engaged and won't extract the round. Is the extractor supposed to engage when the bolt rotates into battery or before?

I will take the gun down and do a through cleaning as well as replace the recoil spring. Any suggestions on obtaining a recoil spring?

I'm in Brighton, MI. I wouldn't want to impose on anyone but if someone is close by and interested in helping/schooling me I would appreciate it.

Jeff

[painter777]

Jeff,
I'm west of you @ the Williamston exit (I-96) Then about 5 minutes to the house, 4-5 miles from the exit.
I'd guess ~45 minutes from you.
Be happy to help.
I would have the extra parts here, if needed. Also have bolt tools for proper take down.
You can E-mail me by clicking on my member/user name.

Hth,
Charlie-painter777

[Bill Hollinger]

Good looking out Charlie! That is what this site is all about

[ABPOS]

Jeff,
I'm west of you @ the Williamston exit (I-96) Then about 5 minutes to the house, 4-5 miles from the exit.
I'd guess ~45 minutes from you.
Be happy to help.
I would have the extra parts here, if needed. Also have bolt tools for proper take down.
You can E-mail me by clicking on my member/user name.

Hth,
Charlie-painter777

bill ricca might have an op slide spring. I don't know his website, let me see.......

http://www.billricca.com/carbine.htm