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

[ABPOS]

Probably from the title you all can tell this might be a loaded question.

So let me give you a little background, to fuel the discussion.

I have always been a big fan of the M-1 Carbine. When I first got into shooting, and decided I "needed" a home defense weapon, I had decided on the Carbine. I read an Article by that Thunder ranch guy, Clint Smith and he was praising it for certain people. Well, to be honest he was praising it for women because it was light and handy and easy to operate. Well, maybe more so than like say a pump action shotgun, for home defense. Well, I always love the looks, the mag capacity, the history, etc etc. It just seemed like the perfect deal.

I have never really been a recoil junky and the light weight, well, it just is so nice.

So, I got one. Well, it never turned out to be what I wanted it. I trusted any AR I owned 17 times more so than my carbine. Problem is, I like the traditionally stocked weapon better. They just seem to feel better to me.

So, the reason it didn't turn out the way I wanted is I could never get that thing to run good. I had major malfs when I first got it. And I did what you're supposed to do. I rebuilt the bolt, I got new springs from reputable places. The only think I didn't do was get that gas nut off off the piston and clean it out. But it would always pass the "blow" test. If you cover up the chamber and blow on the muzzle and that piston moves free, you should be GTG. I bought USGI mags. I rebuilt mags. I even had to rebuild the bolt a second time because the frickin ejector plunger busted. And something else. Of course any 30 round mag I had wouldn't work well. They would feed for about the first 20 rounds and then it would start spewing ammo out. But 30 rounders always had a bad rep anyways.

So, to further this, My Dad had bought one at the same time I did, and it didn't fare any better. I rebuilt his bolt, gave it all the once over. And regardless, both of ours experience jams on a frequent basis. Then, I was discussing this with a friend the other day and he has heard that they weren't very reliable also. And this is from a very knowledgeable gun guy who owns quite a few weapons and is not one prone to be duped by Gun Store lore.

So, since I've never asked on here, I'd like to hear the opinions. Is there something inherent in the design or execution of manufacturing that lends itself to them not being all that reliable? Am I the only one experiencing this? I don't have a problem with the fact that maybe I did something wrong. But I feel rather conscientious about all this stuff. I got my Garand to be one reliable mojo and I even had to work at it a little. And I've had AR's that have never malf'd, once. I have some that have also, but from what I could tell it was due to old mags.

Maybe that's the deal with the carbines, but I'm not sure I know where to get good ones. I have rebuilt some with kits from Brownells. But the rifle still jammed with those to a degree. It was better, but not what I would've like to have seen. Most of the malfs are FTE's or stove pipes even. I don't think I had too many not go boom if the hammer dropped, but I don't really remember. What I remember most is stovepiping and FTE's. It's been a while since I shot it.

So, you guys tell me, have you gotten yours to run well? Am I all wet and full of it? Do any of you shoot them extensively? I would imagine some of you do. Has anybody else been frustrated with the reliability of theirs?

I can give more details on mine. It's a Standard Products, arsenal rebuilt. If pics would help, I can take the time to put them up. I will say one thing, that I don't know if it affected reliability or not. Mine is drilled and tapped on the left side. I didn't know it when I bought it. My Dad actually went and picked it up. So I wasn't there to break it down. Plus at the time, I don't know if I would've known better to look for that. But keep in mind, my Dad's IBM faired no better.

Thank you for your time.

Information

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[USGI]

What are you using for ammo?

[Matteo]

Hello Abpos, I can tell you my very modest experience with M1 30:

with 1 or 2 or sometimes 3 rounds in a mag, a used mag ww2, I have stovepipe or other feed problem every round.
When in the mag there are more than 3, 4 rounds, the first and second rounds don't stovepipe. So I think it's the elevator spring weak in that specific mag in my case.

The previous owner of my M1 told me: "ww2 ammo would cycle perfecly with the flat bolt, but the new made US commercial ammo are more powerful, would sometimes block the bolt fully opened". This is what he told me, suggesting to use a more heavy M2 round bolt he provided me with new rounds. I didn't have the time to shoot those US commercial ammo he was speaking of so it's just a report of someone else exp.

Have a great day!

[Sarge1998]

My brother asked me to let him use mine for home defense next time I go to AZ, he qualified with a M1 Carbine at Lackland AFB in 1962; evidently the AR I gave him for the same purpose almost 2 years ago is too heavy!

I'll be following this thread to see if I can pick up any pointers, I don't recall having anything but an occasional FTF/FTF, but that is the nature of the beast isn't it?

[ABPOS]

What are you using for ammo?

WWB and UMC. Pretty much exclusively. I don't recall any other type, and that's the two types I have left in the stash. FMJ of course.

[rokwell]

I have done this and then have had carbines that function flawlessly, they gobble up any type of ammo:

Break down the carbine, then first completely and thoroughly clean all parts....inspect all parts for wear, replace any w/ non worn USGI parts, replace any weak/kinked springs. Pay close attention to trigger housing fit with the receiver-that's its assembled right, bolt, make sure it's assembled like supposed to be and clean too. Put a little light touch of grease where the op slide contacts the barrel and receiver, the bolt contacts the receiver. Test for proper head space, then when assembled run a few of those metal practicing rounds through it manually, make sure ejection is happening okay. Remember these carbines were tested intensely and perfected during the war, and helped to win the war. I'd think if any problems, the carbine needs some work and maintenance to get it going well. My guess is that it's currently functioning at less than optimal potential, for sure!

[Bruce McAskill]

I have 12 different carbines from all of the makers during WW2 and I do not have any problems with any of them. Put a full magazine in and empty it right out with no malfunctions what so ever. As Rockwell said clean it and keep it that way and it should fire every time you pull the trigger.

[shadycon]

I must have the lucky ones. I have a 6 didgit Inland,277k Underwood, and 222k Std Pro that i shoot 10-12 times a year. These are basicly untouched Mixmasters and I've had no mechanical problems. I've shot Wolfs [no more] , Winchester,pmc, and others. Now I shoot reloads. I use Military mags, 15 and 30 rd [that have never been messed with in over 30 yrs]. 30 rd are Hardback and split back. the only mag I've bought in the last 30 yrs are Sey[hardback], J, J underlined,AI marked off ebay, 10 for $200 and in inused condition. All I can say is in my opinion M1 carbines are 99% reliable.GK

[Bubba-7]

I just picked up a 3.8 IBM off GB today. It was very dirty. Looks like it was used as a blaster a few years back with Wolf and not cleaned. A little rust around the gas piston nut on the housing. First time I have seen that. Gas piston froze. I usually don't disassemble the gas system but thought I should on this one. I could not get a .070" drill into the bore by hand. So I down sized to .06something" and got the battery drill. With some work I got the gas port cleaned out. Then put the .070" back in it and got it clean. I would think it would not have functioned correctly if I had not cleaned out the gas port.
Also the last two carbines I have purchased, the gas piston nuts were loose. So much soot around the extractor, I don't see how it would work correctly.
You know, when a gun quits working, it is time to sell it and pass your problems to the next person.

[ABPOS]

I have 12 different carbines from all of the makers during WW2 and I do not have any problems with any of them. Put a full magazine in and empty it right out with no malfunctions what so ever. As Rockwell said clean it and keep it that way and it should fire every time you pull the trigger.

Well I did that and more and it didn't work out that way. And if I'm not mistaken, it sounded like he (Rokwell) said he might have had ones too that were a problem. Was I reading that wrong?

Someone mentioned something, my trigger group was always a very sloppy fit to the receiver. But I don't see how that would cause FTE's and stovepipes. Could that be an issue?

What kind of mags do you guys use?