Universal Firearms Civilian M1 Carbine GEN 1 .30 Cal 18” w/GI Parts C&R
SOLD FOR: $710.00
WOA#: WY240509SS002
Make: Universal Firearms
Model: M1 Carbine
Serial Number: 80668
Year of Manufacture: Post 1964- Pre1967, Most Likely Produced in 1966.
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Action Type: Semi-Automatic carbine fed by detachable magazines.
Markings: The top-front of the receiver is marked “U.S. CARBINE / CAL. .30 M1”. The top of the receiver in front of the rear sight is marked “UNIVERSAL / HI ALEAH, FLA.” The rear of the receiver is marked ”80668”. The magazine release is a Type 3 marked with “M”. The inside of the stock is marked “3371”. The inside of the upper handguard is also marked with “3371”. The slide has been replaced to an Inland Type 5 slide.
Barrel Length: 18″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade with protective ears. The rear sight is a later style sliding adjustable aperture sight dovetailed to the receiver.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a high wood sided, oval cut, with 4 rivet handguard, type 2 style barrel band, and a checkered metal butt plate. This rifle also has the later style switch safety. The LOP measures about 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the stock. The stock has very minor compressions and scratches throughout with no chips or cracks. The nose of the stock has some scratches and marks from the barrel band being installed and removed. Overall the stock is in Very Good to Excellent condition considering the age of the rifle.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: This rifle includes one 15 round magazine marked “IA” for Inland, in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined. There is no visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 95% of its metal finish. The metal has light scattered scratches, lines throughout with rust freckling on the barrel band. There is finish loss on the friction surfaces of the action and the bolt. There is also finish loss in the magazine well. Overall this rifle is in Very Good condition given its age.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This is the Gen 1 version of the Universal M1 carbines that follows the original M1 Pattern of construction and uses some original GI parts. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle includes one magazine and a green canvas sling.
Our Assessment: During the early stages of World War II, the U.S. military recognized the need for a lightweight rifle that would bridge the gap between the heavy and cumbersome M1 Garand rifle and the standard issue sidearm, the M1911 pistol. The goal was to provide troops with a compact and easy-to-handle firearm that offered more firepower than a pistol but was lighter and more maneuverable than a full-size rifle. The Universal Firearms M1 Carbine is a variant of the iconic World War II firearm, originally manufactured by Inland Division of General Motors and other contractors to supply Allied forces during the war. Universal Firearms Corporation, a firearms manufacturer based in Hialeah, Florida, produced M1 Carbine copies for civilian and commercial markets after the war. Universal Firearms began manufacturing M1 Carbine replicas in the 1960s, catering to civilian shooters, sportsmen, and collectors interested in owning a piece of military history. These carbines were marketed as affordable and reliable firearms suitable for various applications, including target shooting, plinking, and home defense. When Universal first began producing M1 carbines they used some GI parts and were 100% compatible with original GI parts. In 1967 Universal went through some major design changes and were no longer compatible with their original counterparts. This example is one of those early production fully compatible carbines. Universal Firearms M1 Carbines gained popularity among civilian shooters due to their affordability and nostalgic appeal. Many gun owners appreciated the opportunity to own a semi-automatic rifle with historical roots, even if it was not an authentic military surplus firearm. Today, Universal Firearms M1 Carbines are primarily sought after by collectors interested in owning representative examples of post-war commercial carbines. While they may not command the same level of collector interest or value as genuine military-issue M1 Carbines, they still hold historical significance as part of America’s firearms heritage. Please see our photos and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
