help with Universal M1 Carbine

[m14msgt]

Hoping someone can shed some light on my dilemma. I have a Universal M1 Carbine. I field stripped it but cannot seem to get the gas system pin removed. The manual says to "drift" it out with a punch, but I have hammered and hammered that thing and it won't budge. I cannot get to the gas plug with this pin in place. Anyone have experience with this brand of carbine? Also, anyone know where I can get spare parts for it? thanks...

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[Tired Retired]

m14msgt,

Unlike some people, I will admit that I actually own a Universal carbine. My excuse is that I bought it in college YEARS ago when they were still in business (USGI's were hard to find then). While I have taken it all the way down (the bolt is a bear!), I have not ever taken the gas plug out of it out of fear to not getting it back in. Numrich lists some parts for Universal carbine, but some are out of stock. Here's the link.

Welcome to Numrich Gun Parts Corp.

Sorry its not more help,

Ed

[m14msgt]

thanks ed - unfortunately it will not function in semi-auto mode so i must get the gas plug out. thanks for the numrich link

[phil441]

Just as Tired Retired, I too own a Universal type 3 purchased many years ago.
As parts dry up, it's best to keep the tools away from these guns as much as possible.
Many owners of regular Carbines prefer to send a little solvent down the barrel so that some gets into the piston. Wipe out the barrel and then let it sit for a day or at least a few hours and then shoot it. Many tens of thousands of PSI will do wonders for stuck parts.
Let us know the results.
Phil

[Tired Retired]

m14msgt,

Not sure what the exact problem is, but Phil has a point. I found that shooting pistons (and bolts assemblies) with a good dose of Breakfree "Power Blast" cleans out alot of gunk. I usually shoot my pistons and bolts with the stuff when they start looking dirty after shooting. Residue just pours out so try it outside the house. Those assemblies, even on the lower quality Universal metal, usually do not fail until you start messing with them.

[m14msgt]

the problem is...i cannot shoot it. with this piston stuck, it will not fire. the pin that is through the piston/plug must be drifted out of the frame. it does not leave much room for any solvent to get in and loosen it. i have literally hammered on it with a regular carpenters hammer and it will not budge at all

[phil441]

m14msgt, I guess I was slow to get the picture here.

Am I right to assume the the gas piston plunger is fully extended so the bolt won't go all the way forward into battery?
And that the pin you're trying to remove is the one that goes from one side of the piston to the other (left-right)?
If the left-right pin you're trying to remove is that totally seized, you might try heating the gas piston a bit and trying again. Otherwise it might be time for a trip to the local machine shop to have it drilled out. Beating on it with no success can cause it to flare out on the ends which effectively turns it into a rivet. If it hasn't gotten to that point yet, try soaking it with Kroil or another high grade solvent.
When you say you hammered on "it" with a carpenter's hammer, are you referring to the piston plunger or the drift pin that holds the plunger in?

Hang in there, the answer is out here somewhere.
Phil

[m14msgt]

phil - no, the weapon will go into battery...just will not cycle or fire. good point on turning the pin into a rivet. i will try gunzilla or kroil and if that doesn't work...i suppose a "smith" is in order. thanks for the tips fellas.

[phil441]

Well, m14msgt, either we're not connecting on the problem or I'm just too dense to pick up on it.
Fire and then cycle seems to be a question mark for us.
Take it to a smith and let us know the outcome.
Still learning here......

Phil

[phil441]

m14msgt,

Guess I'm at the end of my limited skills.
Phil