Universal .30 Carbine

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CanonLyles

Single-Sixer
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Jan 28, 2010
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I was at one of the local pawn shops yesterday and saw a Universal brand M1A in the standard .30 Carbine. Does anybody know anything about these guns? I want an M1A, but I don't want a POS. lol
 

Snake45

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Universal built both USGI-pattern carbines and a later, much inferior cheap copy with few interchangable parts. The latter are subject to parts breakage. If the gun has an obviously stamped op-rod, it's one of the cheap junkers. Run away, run far away! (Actually, I'd pay $100 to $150 for one of these if it seemed to be in good condition, but not a penny more.)
 

CanonLyles

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He has it listed about $490. I don't think it's stamped. And he told me it was a pretty good gun. I know the owner and he doesn't take a lot of junk. I'll check it out again and get a better look at it. I just don't know what to look for. haha
 

Kanook

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And he told me it was a pretty good gun.
So did the manufacture. I don't know any dealer that is trying to sell a $490 rifle that will admit it's not worth it.

The op rod is the first give away that it's not up to par.
 

Snake45

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$490 would IMHO be high even for an early Universal carbine built with GI parts to GI pattern. I believe these have cast receivers (as do Federal Ordnance, National Ordnance, Plainfield, Iver Johnson, etc carbines). I wouldn't way to pay more than $300 to a max of $400 for one of these, even in today's market. That price is outrageous for a stamped-part Universal.

Rumor has it that a bunch of real USGI carbines will soon be re-imported from Korea. Prices on these should be under what the CMP carbines have been going for. I'd expect somewhere in the $500 neighborhood, maybe even less.
 

CanonLyles

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Well, it's a no go for the carbine. It's a bad one. :( Oh well. Thought I found a little slice of heaven. Still looking for a good one, though.
 

Brules

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Oct 15, 2000
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I had one of the Universals and couldn't hit a damn thing with it. I sold mine years ago. It's was one gun I didn't regret selling.
 

CanonLyles

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The reliability/parts interchangability both crossed it off my list. Oh well, there is a hammerless CT grip SP101 that's caught my eye. Can't even tell it's been fired. Decent price too... At least, I think I remember it being a good price
 

flatgate

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Jun 18, 2001
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I've also heard that Korean Carbines rumor that Snake had mentioned.

I had Dad's "bring back" Inland from WWII. I turned it into something I understood......... a Flattop .44.....

flatgate
 
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