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I have a Universal M-1 Carbine, and the gas block has separated from the barrel - it blew off while firing a standard, commercial .30 cal. round (not a handload.)
My question: Can the gas block be re-welded to the underside of the barrel, without the barrel being warped by the heat of welding? If so, WHAT TYPE of welding should be used - MIG, TIG, stick, silver solder?
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide!
UGh, the prognosis is not good. Universal had various issues, but this is a first time I have heard of this,
Rocketman,
I do not think welding on any pressure-bearing part of a firearm is a good idea since the high temps effects the characteristics of the metal. While it may have originally been manufactured using a welding process, the manufacturer had (even in Universal's case) some form of metal tempering and quality control to ensure the end product was safe.
The availability of spare parts for the later generations of Universals is zero and usually comes only with the salvaging of parts from another Universal. My advice to you is to actually strip the universal and part it out. Someone else looking for a slide, trigger housing, bolt, etc would undoubtedly pay cash. The sum of the parts you sell will pass the value of the weapon as a whole. When you are done, you can put the cash towards another carbine (either post-war commercial or USGI).
I own one but have it shoved in the back of the safe for several reasons - one of which is I know that I can not find spare parts for it if something breaks.
Just my two cents worth...
+1 on TR's post. Save what you can and just let it go.
Just having an un-cracked slide for sale can help assuage the pain of giving it up.
Hang onto the parts and you'll probably get your dollars back.
Another Universal owner.