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Hi all. Just bought my first m1 carbine. It appears to be a late production Winchester with a early 2 rivet upper hand guard. I'll be disassembleing it this week for a good cleaning and inspection. Is there anything I need to be looking for? I'm new to this type of weapon. all I know about it is that it has a replacement barrel and a CMP inspection sticker on the trigger guard. The last owner was a frequent shooter at Camp Perry. Thanks in advance. Gork
Welcome to Milsurps !
Don't attempt to take the Bolt apart without having a Bolt tool.
Don't try to take the Gas Piston Nut out.
The rest......... We hold off on telling you as a sort of Black mail..... in lieu of pictures.
SE MI ?
Heard of Flat Rock?
Painter777. Would love to post photos, but alas camera died last week. Waiting on getting it fixed. 10/4 on the bolt and Gas Piston Nut. Was by Flat Rock last weekend on the way to Monroe. I've spent many enjoyable hours in that area fishing. Gork
Welcome to the forum and the Carbine world. You are in the right place here. Some of the smartest folks on the forum. I shot my first M1 Carbine at 10 (1962), and bought my first one in 1982. Basically I have had one continuously since then, with an occasional short gap. My current War Baby is a Quality Hardware rebuild.
If you do take the bolt apart, it is a good idea to do it in a gallon ziplock bag, even when using a bolt tool. If doing it without a bolt tool (possible, but difficult to re-assemble) a gallon ziplock bag is an absolute must. It is a good idea to completely strip it down, and thoroughly clean it. If the bolt has excessive carbon, carburetor cleaner or brake cleaner works. LEAVE THE GAS PISTON IN UNLESS IT IS FROZEN IN PLACE. They are not made to generally be removed.
Also check your recoil spring. It should be exactly 10 1/4" long (new) or even as little as 10 1/8" long (serviceable). If it is 10"or shorter, it will give you problems. Recoil spring degrade through prolonged usage. Don't use a commercial "extra power" one, as they will also cause problems. Get a USGI replacement from Fulton Armory or Numrich.
As far as magazInes go, USGI 15 round are 100% reliable, as are the Korean (KCI) 15 rounders. Commercial 30 rounders SUCK. The only 30 rounder I have used with 99.99% reliability are USGI. I have heard mixed reviews on the KCI 30s. There are a lot of fake USGI 30s out there. USGI have crisp sharp corner folds, and the back is absolutely flat. Fakes have more rounded corners and a slightly bowed back.
If it comes with magazines, take them apart, inspect and clean them. MAKE SURE you put the springs in with the longer side to the rear: /\/\/\/\/\/\/\ The bottom here is the long side. It is not uncommon to see mags with it in backwards, since many magazines are the reverse.
Another good 30 round magazine is one stamped AYP. They are believed to be Belgian manufactured. They are as good as USGI. There are AYP fakes out there, though (I have seen them myself). The key is to look for the same as USGI. Sharp corners and a flat back. If it is bowed, it is a fake. The fakes I saw were pretty obvious,
Imarangemaster. Thanks for the welcome and all the good advice. I was not planning on taking the bolt apart yet. Good info on the mags, I have 2 KCI 15 rounders on order. Just like the look of the 15 rounders better. Also ordered a mag pouch to go on the stock. Gork