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Mclemens7,
You being new to the USGI M1 Carbine and this being your 1st, I'd recommend learning to take it down. Deep cleaning everything and inspecting. Look for burrs on the guide rails your Op slide rides in and the inner rails your Bolt rides and rotates in. Check the face of your Bolt and see if the Ejector @ the 6 position pushes in and back out freely. The Firing Pin glides smoothly forward and back. Again on the face see that the Extractor swings open to the left (under spring pressure) and back to the right when you release pressure. Look for the tiny Plunger behind the left side of the Extractor, It's recessed in a hole in the Bolt's big right lug. Make sure the Flat Edge of the Plunger is setting on the Ledge of the Extractor (SEE PICTURE. The Extractor has a lip that grabs the cartridge rim look and feel for and chip, burr there. For now you could use a spray cleaner for your Trigger housing assembly and could soak the Bolt. But in time you'll need a Bolt tool to R and R your Bolt for proper maintenance. Your Op Slide Spring should be ~10 1/4" Most will buy replacements GI equivalent. I use a worn .38 brush between my fingers to twist in the chamber. Use a lightweight grease on the rails where the Bolt Lugs ride/rotates, same with the Op Slide rails. Also dab the tabs on the Op Slide and inside near the pull where the Bolts Right Lug engages.
Look at your Gas Piston Nut to see if it's tight. These take a special wrench so don't try to tighten without the correct wrench. Most Nuts are Staked, but not all.
Charlie is correct, the only dumb question is the one that you are afraid to ask. I've been collecting for more than 40 years and I'm still asking and learning. The more you learn, the more you realize that you still don't know. The guys who give people a hard time about asking questions are the ones who usually know the least but think they know everything. Ignore them and ask away! BTW, when you ask some questions, be ready for 10 different answers from 5 different guys! *LOL*
When they tell you to behave, they always forget to specify whether to behave well or badly!
If this is your first carbine I'd 2nd the recommendation to learn to field strip it right away. That teaches you how it works, allows you to clean and properly lubricate it, and exposes any glaring problems before you try to shoot it. The US Army familiarization and training video posted in this forum is an excellent start as well.
As to magazines, if your originals are mint they should probably stay on the display shelf at this point ($$$).
However, if the original is well used you can bet that it probably needs the spring replaced. Why? Because weak springs cause failure to feed properly. How do they get weak? Because some people think magazines are where you long-term store your ammo. Well they aren't, and extended compression will weaken the springs. Replacement springs are available online if you want to go that route.
I've had good success with KCI brand 15 round magazines from Korea. J&G Sales has a great deal on them (10 for $100). I can't speak for their 30 rounders as I've never tried them.
Finally, don't take the critical observations about your new carbine to heart. It's force of habit with seasoned/jaded collectors to ruthlessly analyze and comment. But their first time was long in the past, yours is now. She looks like a good one with character and will likely be a great shooter for you so take her to the dance and enjoy!
Originally Posted by Mclemens7
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