Can we discuss the reliability of M-1 Carbines?????

[Patrick Chadwick]

I had ordered the replacement extractor with a 10-pack of magazines, as one of those I already had was still erratic with the new extractor. When I dismantled it, the spring was correctly oriented, but some misguided person had reduced it to a 10-shot by putting a block of wood under the spring.
Looking at the ten-pack, ALL mags had the springs the right way round. So if your mags are different, maybe someone's been playing...
I was amazed by the variety - nearly each one from a different manufacturer.

On the one-and-only serious practice I was able to make with the new extractor and mags before the competition, I put 5 rounds into each mag. There was not time to test every one, but all those that performed flawlessly had a lip form and spring tension that was very similar to my original "good" mag.

Those that were "iffy", and had to be put on one side, all had lips that had been bent in, tightening up the "throat" through which the cartridge has to be pushed into the chamber. I will bend them back to match the good ones, and try again.

So if your carbine is stovepiping:
- check the mag spring
- check the lip shape
- check the extractor
- check the ammo!

...but don't despair. There is a cause in there, somewhere. And a cure.

My carbine is now reliable: I won the BDMP Hessen competition at 50 meters, 3rd at 25 meters. 67 shots without a hiccup.