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Introduction
The Universal Firearms Vulcan 440 pump action carbine appears in the Universal Firearms brochures from 1963-1967. The design of the rear half of this carbine
remained similar to that of the M1 Carbine. The front half of the carbine was converted to pump-action as the short stroke gas piston could not safely handle
the power of the .44 magnum cartridge. Universal's intent was to produce a carbine with the more powerful cartridge for hunting.
Shotgun News October 15, 1963
(This carbine uses .44 magnum and .44 special cartridges only.)
The M1 Carbine has survived for various reasons, the most common being they are just plain fun to shoot. The Vulcan takes the fun to a higher level, in spite of being a pump action instead of
semi-automatic. All of the owners I've spoken to so far really enjoy their Vulcans. I evaluate a lot of carbines and cannot afford to keep them all. Every once in awhile one comes along that's
a keeper, my Vulcan is one of them. My son having joined me the first time I used it, shares the same opinion. This carbine stays in the family. It's not a sniper rifle, but you don't want
to be in even the outer ring of a bullseye target.
Universal Firearms
Vulcan 440 |
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| Caliber: | .44 Magnum
(also works with .44 Special) |
| Barrel Length: | 18 1/4 inches |
| Rifling: | 6 lands & grooves |
| Overall Length: | 36 7/8 inches |
| Weight: | 6 lbs |
| Stock: | American Walnut |
| Front Sight: | Williams Guide series
sporting ramp with gold bead |
| Rear Sight: | Williams Guide series
adjustable for windage and elevation |
| Scope Mount: | advertised
(no factory originals observed so far) |
| Magazine: | 5 shot, Lexan
(see details below for additional info) |
Universal Firearms manufactured .30 caliber carbines from 1962 thru 1974. Various parts and designs changed over time, sometimes minor, sometimes major.
Changes were based on the availability of GI surplus, ease in manufacturing, lower costs in manufacturing, lessons learned, and/or improved function
(sometimes, but sometimes not). The Vulcan 440 was no exception. Changes to their Vulcan were mostly minor until a combination of significant design changes
involving the bolt, receiver, hammer, and trigger housing were all implemented at the same time. These parts were specific to the newer version and not
interchangeable with their equivalents in the earlier version. Likewise, those from the earlier version no longer worked in the later version.
Minor changes will be mentioned, as they happened, throughout this page.
Vulcan serial numbers appear to have started with s/n 1000. Total production is believed to have been about 1500.
Serial Numbers
(observed so far) |
| Early Version | Low | High |
| GI style round bolt w/2 lugs & ejector - s/n left side of receiver at front | 1014 | 1471 |
| Late Version | Low | High |
| Modified round bolt w/3 lugs, ejector relocated - s/n left side of receiver at front | 1523 | 2097 |
| Modified round bolt w/3 lugs, ejector relocated - s/n precedes Universal name | 2199 | 2425 |
Early Version
War Baby! volume II, by author Larry Ruth, identified a pre-production Vulcan prototype
having the s/n 4357. This s/n is consistent with the s/n range used on Universal's .30 caliber carbines during their first six months of production (1962).
Vulcan's were being sold retail before the end of 1962.
The Vulcan depicted above and immediately below is serial number 1014, owned by author Larry Ruth
The nylon magazine in the Vulcan above was the only Vulcan magazine shown in Universal's brochures and publications.
Universal may have used a different magazine prior. See the section on magazines (below) for further information.
Model and caliber located on the left side of the barrel adjacent the Williams Guide Series adjusable rear sight.
This marking and its location were consistent on all Vulcans, both early and late, throughout production.
The serial numbers were initially located at the front of the left side of the receiver. UNIVERSAL CORP. HIALEAH, FL.
is located behind the opening for the bolt. These markings and their location continued into the later version.
By s/n 1244 the wood covering the Universal markings was lowered to even with the wood in front of it.
A GI style round bolt with two bolt lugs was used in the early version.
The bolt face was flattened and extractor modified to accomodate the
larger .44 magnum casing. The ejector remained within the bolt.
The firing pin design was that of the GI firing pin. The rear tang engaged a cut in the bottom
of the receiver that held the firing pin back from striking the primer until the bolt
lugs had fully rotated and locked.
The aluminum trigger housing and its various internal parts were the same as those used by Universal in their early .30
caliber carbines. Note the impact mark in the aluminum housing where, by design, the forward movement of the steel
hammer is stopped. This design was changed in the later version to avoid this damage.
Instruction Manual for the Early Version
One of the early version Vulcan carbines sold by its owner included its original box and manual.
The manual and warranty card were those included with Universal's early .30 cal. carbines.
We suspect the third document was add-on instructions for the early version Vulcans.
Late Version
The changes that separate the late version from the early version occurred sometime between serial numbers 1471 and 1523 and continued through end of production.
The author's Vulcan, s/n 2095
Williams Guide series sporting ramp with gold bead was used on both the early and late versions.
Model and caliber located on the left side of the barrel adjacent the Williams Guide Series adjusable rear sight.
This marking and its location were consistent on all Vulcans throughout production.
The serial number and Universal Firearms name initially remained
in the same locations as on the earlier version.
Sometime between s/n 2097 and 2199 the s/n was moved to the front of the Universal name,
where it remained thru end of production.
Removal of the Forend Cap at the front of the handguard of both the early and late Vulcans
is the first step in disassembly. Be careful when unscrewing this cap, hold onto it tight,
it's under significant tension from the Slide Spring, underneath.
For illustration purposes, the Vulcan above was disasembled to remove the handguard and Stock Cap, then reassembled. The
Slide Spring will slide out after the Forend Cap is removed. The center Slide Rod (under the barrel) can be rotated and
removed from the front of the receiver by placing a small screwdriver in the hole just forward of the receiver. The
Slide can then be removed by sliding it to the rear and out of the dismount notch.
A closeup view of the disassembly hole in the Slide Rod, and an expansion joint
under the front of the stock (its intentional, not a crack).
Note the Recoil Plate is integral to, and an extension of, the rear of the receiver
The V2 shown here is similar to the numbers Universal placed on the front of the left side of their M1 carbine receivers during
their first 7 or 8 years of production. It appears to have been for quality control. On their M1 carbines, the number identified
when the receiver was manufactured. Starting with 1 for the first month, numbers progressed numerically month to month.
These markings have not been visible on most of the Vulcans we have seen. One of the early versions was numbered 27,
consistent with their M1 carbine sequence. The 27th month of production was approximately June 1964. It appears
their Vulcan numbers were changed with the later version to V1, V2, V3, progressing numerically over time.
The hammer will be shown and discussed with the Trigger Housing below.
The Trigger Housing is secured to the receiver by a tension pin at the front of the housing. A hammer and drift punch are
usually required to remove the pin. To avoid snapping off the aluminum at the front of the housing, both sides of the
aluminum housing around the pin should be supported when striking the pin.
One of the significant changes with the late version was the addition of a 3rd bolt lug, along
with the machining of a path inside of the receiver for its movement. The 3rd bolt lug and its
opening, or lack thereof, allow for identifying the carbine as the early or late version
without disassembling the carbine.
Another significant change, the ejector was no longer within the bolt. It was moved
to the inside of the left side of the receiver. This required the addition of the
slot seen under the left bolt lug (on the right above).
The ejector
The rotation of the bolt required a larger opening for
the ejector when the bolt rotated and closed.
The GI type firing pin was replaced with a firing pin enclosed within the bolt. A spring inside the front of the
bolt kept the firing pin away from the primer until the force of the hammer striking the rear of the pin forced
the pin forward into the primer. The design of the rear of the bolt, as with the .30 caliber carbines, prevented
the hammer from striking the firing pin until the bolt had fully rotated and locked.
The protrusion on the left side of the hammer was removed to prevent the hammer from damaging the trigger housing. An extension
added to the front of the hammer, along with a wire spring pinned in the trigger housing forward of the hammer, stopped the
hammer and softened its impact. The spring is a larger and stronger version of the trigger spring.
Instruction Manual for the Late Version
It's not known when Universal finally came out with a manual dedicated to the Vulcan. This version may have been the first. Most
of the parts depicted are those of the late version. The bolt has the three lugs and internal firing pin of the later version, with the
ejector from the early version. It's possible this was an oversight.
Universal Firearms Vulcan Manual - Download (12.8 MB)
(Manual provided courtesy of Classic Firearms in Chichester, NH)
Parts shown in the Late Manual
Replacement parts, both early and late, have not been manufactured since the mid 1960's. Fortunately, many of the .30 caliber carbine parts
they used are interchangeable with surplus GI parts or commercial parts of the same design. A few may require minor modifications.
Click on the image to view a much larger version
| (1) Stock with Recoil Pad | (16) Forend (wood) | (31) Hammer Spring Guide |
| (2) Firing Pin Spring | (17) Rear Sight Complete | (32) Trigger Housing |
| (3) Firing Pin | (18) Forend Cap | (33) Magazine Lock Retaining Spring Plunger (2) |
| (4) Extractor | (19) Slide Spring | (34) Magazine Lock Retaining Spring |
| (5) Bolt | (20) Front Sight Ramp | (35) Magazine Lock Spring |
| (6) Ejector Spring | (21) Front Sight Ramp Screws (2) | (36) Magazine Lock Spring Plunger |
| (7) Extractor Spring Plunger | (22) Front Sight | (37) Magazine Lock |
| (8) Extractor Spring | (23) Trigger Guard Pin | (38) Magazine Assembly |
| (9) Ejector | (24) Trigger | (39) Trigger Spring |
| (10) Rear Action Retaining Bolt | (25) Sear Spring | (40) Hammer Rebound Spring Pin |
| (11) Receiver | (26) Sear | (41) Safety |
| (12) Barrel | (27) Trigger Pin | (42) Hammer Pin |
| (13) Slide Rod | (28) Hammer Spring | (43) Rear Action Retaining Nut |
| (14) Slide | (29) Hammer | |
| (15) Stock Cap | (30) Hammer Rebound Spring | |
The rubber buttplate used for both the early and late versions
Magazines
The trigger housings manufactured by Universal during the years the Vulcan carbines were made were used in both their .30 caliber carbines
and the .44 magnum Vulcan carbines. They were interchangeable with any trigger housing made to the dimensions of U.S. Army specifications.
This allowed for the use of any .30 carbine magazine also made to those specifications. The .44 magnum rounds will fit in a .30
carbine magazine, the magazine will fit in the Vulcan, but the Vulcan will not feed the .44 magnum rounds in an unaltered .30 carbine magazine.
Instead of redesigning the trigger housing to accomodate a different magazine they redesigned the inside of the .30 carbine magazines to work with the
.44 magnum rounds.
 
Cartridges in the .30 carbine magazines are offset staggered so the magazines will hold
more rounds. Vulcan magazines are a straight stack, not offset. This was accomplished
by changing the dimensions inside the magazine.
The feed lips in the top of the Vulcan magazines are shaped to retain the larger cartridge
at the top of the straight stack until it is fed into the chamber by the bolt. .44 magnum
cartridges in a .30 carbine magazine pop up into the path of the bolt. Note the
thicker rear wall behind the .44 magnum round.
Many U.S. States had enacted laws limiting the capacity of hunting rifles to four or five cartridges. So the Vulcan magazines
were limited to hold only four.
Concurrent to the Vulcan, Universal manufactured a "Model .256 Ferret" carbine for hunting using the .256 Winchester Magnum cartridges. The
magazines for the Vulcan were also used for the .256 Ferret.
Universal's Nylon Vulcan Magazine
Universal manufactured nylon/plastic magazines for both their .30 cal. carbines and their Vulcan/Ferret carbines. Given these .30 carbine magazines
are far more common than the Vulcan magazines, it's common for owners and sellers to mistake the Vulcan mags for .30 carbine mags.
  
Above, the .30 carbine mags are shown on the left, the Vulcans on the right. The easiest way to identify the Vulcan magazines is they are noticably taller
and straight on both sides, whereas the shorter .30 carbine mags have a fat bottom. The Universal name is oriented vertical on the rear of the Vulcan mags.
The markings are oriented horizontal on the .30 carbine mags. Note the top of the follower in the Vulcan is flat on top where the .30 carbine follower has a
downward curve in the shape of the .30 carbine round.
The First Vulcan Magazines?
The magazine depicted above is a 15 round U.S. GI carbine magazine. The inside was modified to work with the .44 magnum cartridges in the Vulcan carbines. The
magazine was also shortened to hold only 4 rounds. The base plate appears to have been secured to the magazine on the inside using the two brass pins (arrow).
We have not been able to get a look inside as the owner of the only one we have been able to get better pics of is understandably reluctant to remove the pins.
We're very greatful for what he has shared. Initially we thought these were home made as so few had been seen. Since then, 5 of the 9 early Vulcans we now have
photos of have this magazine. The pins are present but hard to see in the drawings in the later Vulcan manual. None of the 10 later Vulcans we have photos
of have this magazine.
The original GI baseplates were replaced with either a metal or plastic baseplate.
Note the letters K.I. on the rear of the magazine. These identify it as an
original manufactured by Keeler Brass Company for Inland Mfg during WWII.
 
The magazine on the left is an unaltered 15 round K.I. magazine. The magazine on the
right is the modified K.I for the Vulcan. The width of the offset staggered
.30 carbine rounds is wider than the single stack .44 mag rounds. The feed
lips and rear of the the modified mag were reshaped to retain the top
magnum round, as shown on the right.
The edges at the top of the rear of the magazine were sliced open to
assist with moving the feed lips closer together and ...
... push the top of the rear of the magazine slightly forward. The combination of the
above channeled the rounds in the top of the magazine into a straight stack.
A Steel Vulcan Magazine, Made in Mexico
The magazine shown below has been offered for sale by Apex Gun Parts in Colorado as a used "Original Universal Vulcan 440 Pump Action Rifle Magazine" for a number of years.
They've been sold out for well over a year. Their source for the mags and information are not known. These are not shown or referred to in any of the
various Universal Firearms publications we have. Triple K Mfg in San Diego has offered Universal Vulcan magazines for sale for many years, but has
not included photographs in their listing. They have been out of stock for over 10 years. We are trying to determine if these used magazines were initially
purchased new from Triple K and eventually resold to Apex.
Stamped in the top of the baseplate at the front of the magazine.
These magazines hold five rounds versus the four round capacity of Universal's Vulcan mags.
3D Printed Vulcan Magazine
We have not found anyone manufacturing Vulcan magazines by means of 3D printing. There have been efforts
to manufacture an add-on kit using .30 carbine magazines. If a magazine, kit, or plans become available
they will be added here. In the meantime, you may find a discussion of these efforts on our
Discussion Forum.
A Note about Ammunition
Advertisements for the Vulcan claimed it could be used with any .44 caliber cartridge. This wasn't, and still isn't, true. Director of Marketing, Paul Bines, was confronted with this fact by
George Nonte, who authored a review of the Vulcan for the May 1965 issue of Shooting Times magazine. Bines indicated he was aware of the error and efforts were being made to correct this in
future sales brochures and advertisements. Unfortunately Nonte's evaluation involved only test firing the rifle as opposed to a serious evaluation of it's accuracy. Nonte claimed he could produce a 3 1/2"
group at 100 yards fired from a seated position on the ground. Nonte's only objection to the Vulcan was the opening between the stock and fore grip.
The Vulcan should be used with only the .44 Magnum and .44 Special cartridges.
George Nonte of Shooting Times Magazine
May 1965 issue
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