Universal M1 Carbine
Universal Firearms Corporation · Carbine · Discontinued · 1961
Also known as: Universal Firearms M1 Carbine, Universal .30 Carbine
Overview
The Universal M1 Carbine is a gas-operated, semi-automatic carbine chambered in .30 Carbine, produced commercially by Universal Firearms of Hialeah, Florida. Externally resembling the wartime US M1 Carbine, early Universal guns were assembled from US government surplus parts, but from the late 1960s the design diverged into a wholly redesigned internal mechanism with little parts interchangeability with GI-issue carbines. Affordably priced and widely sold through department and sporting-goods stores, it became one of the most prolific civilian M1-pattern carbines, with over 426,000 produced.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2270 g (80.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 904 mm (35.59") |
| Barrel Length | 457 mm (17.99") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 607 m/s (1991 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1311 J (967 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .30 Carbine · primary — also known as 7.62x33mm, .30 M1 Carbine
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety
- Features: Adjustable Rear Sight, Detachable Magazine
Service history
Operators
- United States civilian market · adopted 1961
Production
Estimated total produced: 426,000 · Production years: 1961-1986
Over 426,000 carbines produced over roughly 25 years; Hialeah, FL (1961-1984) then Jacksonville, AR (1985-1986) after the Iver Johnson acquisition.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: David Marshall Williams
Discontinued: 1986
Notes
Beginning around serial number 100,000 in the late 1960s, Universal revised the receiver, bolt carrier, recoil spring assembly and other internals, eliminating compatibility with GI carbine parts. Receivers were forged by the Repp Steel Company of Buffalo. Universal was acquired by Iver Johnson in 1983 and production was relocated to Jacksonville, Arkansas, in 1985.
Background
Universal's carbines were a Cold War-era civilian staple, sold through Sears, Montgomery Ward, K-Mart and countless hardware and sporting-goods stores as an affordable way for Americans to own an M1-style carbine without paying surplus-collector prices.