Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)
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Universal's Major M1 Carbine Design Overhaul
Universal began encountering problems with the GI slide and their receivers, as well as the GI gas piston nut and the gas chambers on their barrels (Ruth). Because of these
problems, Universal significantly redesigned the barrel, gas system, recoil system, and receiver. This effected various other parts and made the majority of their
carbine and it's parts no longer interchangeable with anyone else's carbines and parts, including the carbines they had manufactured prior, and the GI carbine parts. To their
credit, they generally overcame the inevitable problems caused by this design change. Of the 450,000+ carbines manufactured by Universal, more than 350,000 of them
were manufactured using these design changes. Some of the minor problems were not corrected immediately, resulting in additional minor changes to their carbines over time.
These problems and changes are discussed further, below. One adverse effect that did not impact Universal, but can impact someone who owns or buys one of their carbines, is
the lack of replacement parts should they be needed. As of 2008, most parts can still be obtained. Which parts are hard to find, where to obtain them and other parts, is
discussed at various points throughout these pages.
In September 1966 Universal Firearms Corp. and inventor Abe Seiderman, applied for a patent for a "Combination Manual and Automatic Bolt Action for Firearm". The title of the patent can be misleading, as the gas piston was just one small part of this overall significant redesign of the carbine manufactured by Universal. The patent was issued #3,382,766 in May 1968. Universal did not implement all of the design changes indicated in this patent at the same time. Most were included on the carbines manufactured by the late 1960's, some in the early 1970's.
Twin recoil springs, square gas chamber (Fig. 1 #21) heliarced to the barrel
The "Combination Manual and Automatic Bolt Action" was a two piece gas piston (refer Fig. 4 #24 & #25, below) that was selectable for semi-automatic fire or single shots, requiring manual operation of the slide to extract the empty casing and chamber a live round. The pin in the gas housing goes through the forward half of the piston, securing both pieces. By removing the pin, the forward half of the piston can be rotated 180 degrees and pinned back in place, opening or closing the gas flow to select the mode of fire.
 piston in open position for semi-auto fire |  piston in closed position for single shot bolt action fire |
Universal's Recoil Slide, the Best Visible Clue as to What Lies Inside
Universal used GI surplus slides up until the time they switched to the new receiver, gas chamber, recoil system, and barrels. Serial number 929xx is the latest Universal carbine
observed with a GI type slide (with the exception of the Commemorative Model introduced in 1981). The GI style slide has a handle that is solid. If you see a Universal carbine
with a slide that has a solid handle, the gas system, recoil system, receiver, and barrel are the GI style with the one recoil spring.
The slide that Universal used to replace the GI style slide fits only Universal's redesigned carbine. This slide will not fit on any other carbine made by anyone else. It will also not fit on the Universal carbines that have the GI style gas and recoil system. This slide was specifically designed to work with the Universal two spring recoil system. There are variations to this Universal slide, but all of them have one obvious trait that makes them easy to identify. Universal cut the opening on the inside of the slide handle (that engages the bolt) all the way through the handle, making an obvious hole in the slide handle (Fig. 1 #7 above) for the bolt to engage.
 GI slide with solid handle = GI type innards (to at least s/n 92,9xx) |  Universal slide with hole in handle = Universal's redesigned innards (started after s/n 92,9xx but before s/n 103,4xx) |
As mentioned above, Universal's modified slide with the hole for the bolt lug had several variations. If the need arises to replace this slide, it is important to know which of these variations your carbine uses. The variations are not interchangeable. Unlike the GI style slides, none of the newly designed Universal slides have any means to lock the slide/bolt open.
The Universal Firearms Set Screw Style Slide
In the photograph above left, close examination of the slide groove in the right side of the receiver reveals the GI style disassembly notch for removing the slide from the receiver (notch between the rear sight mount and bolt opening). Compare this to the receiver on the carbine in the photograph above right and you will see this disassembly notch is no longer present. The lack of this disassembly notch is also depicted in figure 1 of the patent.
This slide has a screw between the handle and the bolt opening. The diagram in the patent does not show this, however, the narrative on the first page of the patent text states the rear side of the slide has a channel parallel to the receiver channel that contains a "fixed rectangular key" (Fig. 5 #18) that is inserted into the receiver groove from the rear when the slide is in place, slides forward under the slide, and is held in place between the slide groove and the receiver groove by a "removable stop", which the text indicates is not shown in the diagram. This rectangular key guides the slide down the receiver groove. Loss of this small rectangular key, effectively makes the slide and bolt not function in semi-automatic mode.
 "key" slides down receiver groove & under slide, held in place by set screw |
 Underside of the slide showing a small groove, the key, and the set screw that holds they key in place |
To remove the slide from the receiver the screw is disengaged, allowing the rectangular key to slide out and be retrieved. The slide can then be removed from the receiver and disassembly continued. To reassemble the slide to the receiver, mount the slide on the receiver with the bolt lug inside the slide hole. Slide the rectangular key down the receiver groove and under the slide, leaving sufficient room for it to be secured by inserting the screw into the slide.
The set screw style slide started sometime after s/n 92,9xx and was eliminated sometime before s/n 109,9xx (observed on s/n 103,4xx thru 108,7xx). It appears it was used less than a year.
 | Download the Universal M-1 Carbine manual circa 1968 (covers models with slide set screw and key) (PDF format, 6.5MB high resolution scan) |
The Universal Notch Style Slides
Starting sometime between serial number 108,7xx and 109,9xx the slide disassembly notch returned to the Universal receivers. The slide was redesigned to include a protrusion that slid back and forth down the slide groove in the receiver, similar to the GI style slide. The slide is removed in the same manner as a GI style slide. The hole through the handle is still present. The slides have no mechanism by which to lock the slide back and bolt open.
This slide has two different versions, designed for the shape of the barrel between the receiver and gas chamber. One was designed to fit barrels that were round on the sides, the other to fit barrels that were squared and flat along the sides.
 Universal slide for round barrels |  Universal slide for square barrels |
 Provided courtesy of Mark Cerasuolo | Download the Universal M-1 Carbine manual circa 1970 (covers models with slide that had integrated slide key) (PDF format, 3.1MB high resolution scan) |
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| Universal name & location with patent number on receiver ring, serial number behind rear sight (change occurred sometime between s/n 1274xx & 1323xx) |
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A New Set of Model Numbers
Universal had two basic sets of model numbers, none of which were indicated on the actual carbines. Carbines manufactured and sold in the early and mid 1960's had one set of
model numbers (see above). Carbines manufactured and sold 1968 and later used a different set of model numbers. Not all of the carbines in the second sequence appeared at
the same time. Model numbers were added and dropped between 1968 and 1988 as the different styles and variations were introduced or dropped from Universal's line.
Presenting these model numbers piecemeal as they came and went easily causes confusion. For this reason all of the model numbers 1968-1988 appear in the one chart below. The source for each model is one or more original Universal catalogs between 1968 and 1980, referenced in the far right column and detailed at the bottom of the chart. Part III of this text provides photographs and more detailed information on specific models.
| Model | Description | Stock | Handguard | Finish | Misc. | Source |
| 1000 | .30 caliber standard carbine | American hardwood | matching wood | satin blued | 1, 2 | |
| 1001 | .30 caliber standard carbine | American hardwood | metal ventilated | satin blued | sling and oiler | 3 |
| 1002 | .30 caliber carbine military style | American hardwood | metal ventilated | satin blued | barrel band w/ bayonet lug | 2, 3 |
| 1003 | .30 caliber standard carbine | American hardwood | metal ventilated | satin blued | barrel band w/ bayonet lug | 3 |
| 1004 | .30 caliber standard carbine | American hardwood | metal ventilated | satin blued | with scope & mount | 3 |
| 1005 | .30 caliber standard carbine | walnut Monte Carlo | matching wood | deluxe blued | 1, 2 | |
| 1006 | .30 caliber standard carbine | Birch | metal ventilated | stainless steel | 4 | |
| 1010 | .30 caliber deluxe carbine | standard | matching wood | nickel plated | 1, 2, 3 | |
| 1011 | .30 caliber deluxe carbine | Monte Carlo | matching wood | nickel plated | 3 | |
| 1015 | .30 caliber deluxe carbine | standard | matching wood | gold plated | 1, 2, 3 | |
| 1016 | .30 caliber deluxe carbine | Monte Carlo | matching wood | gold plated | 3 | |
| 1020 | .30 caliber Teflon-S coated carbine | Monte Carlo | matching wood | Camouflage Olive | 1 | |
| 1021 | .30 caliber Teflon-S coated carbine | Monte Carlo | matching wood | Leaf Green | 1 | |
| 1022 | .30 caliber Teflon-S coated carbine | Monte Carlo | matching wood | Azure Blue | 1 | |
| 1023 | .30 caliber Teflon-S coated carbine | Monte Carlo | matching wood | Desert Tan | 1 | |
| 1024 | .30 caliber Teflon-S coated carbine | Monte Carlo | matching wood | Raven Black | 1 | |
| 1025 | .256 caliber Ferret | Monte Carlo | matching wood | bright blued | 4x scope & mount | 1, 3 |
| 1026 | .30 caliber Ferret | Monte Carlo | matching wood | bright blued | 4x scope & mount | 2 |
| 1941 "Field Commander" | .30 caliber deluxe carbine | walnut Monte Carlo | matching wood | blued steel | 3 | |
| 2200 "Leatherneck" | .22 Long Rifle standard carbine | Birch hardwood | metal ventilated | satin blue | 4 | |
| 2560 | .256 caliber deluxe carbine | Monte Carlo | matching wood | high gloss bright blue | scope & mount | 4 |
| 3000 | .30 caliber Enforcer pistol | American hardwood | blued finish | 1, 2, 3 | ||
| 3005 | .30 caliber Enforcer pistol | American hardwood | nickel plated | 1, 2, 3 | ||
| 3010 | .30 caliber Enforcer pistol | American hardwood | gold plated | 1, 2, 3 | ||
| 3300 | .30 caliber GI carbine | American hardwood | metal ventilated | satin blue | 4 | |
| Commemorative | .30 caliber GI carbine | select black walnut | metal ventilated | parkerized | see narrative | 4 |
| (1) 1969-1970 Universal Firearms catalog (2) 1972 Universal Firearms catalog (3) March 1976 Universal Sporting Goods catalog & price list (4) War Baby Comes Home by Larry Ruth (from a Universal catalog circa 1980) | ||||||
The Vulcan slide action .44 magnum carbine was apparently discontinued before the publication of the catalog for 1969-1970.
The download for the Owner's Manual used 1978-1983 is available at "Maxicon.com". Maxicon includes further information on the Universal carbines, including an accessories catalog from the late 1970's.
Universal changes their Bolt
Sometime in the early to mid 1970's Universal redesigned their firing pin and bolt. Up until at least serial number 196,6xx they had used a GI type firing pin
that was free floating and held back from the primer of a live round by the cut on the back of the receiver bridge and the design of the rear of the bolt relative to the
hammer. Sometime prior to serial number 197,4xx, Universal utilized a bolt that contained the entire firing pin, held back from the front of the bolt by spring tension. This
effectively eliminated the issues related to the improper machining of the receiver bridge that had failed to hold the firing pin back until the bolt was locked in place.
This is an issue with every commercially manufactured carbine, and some original GI carbines due to heavy use. Universal is the only company that adopted this new bolt
design. This was probably the best change Universal implemented. However, they still failed to harden the front and rear of the bolt to GI specifications, causing
rapid wear and a shortened life span for their bolt. These issues are not specific to Universal and applied to all of the commercial manufacturers. This is discussed
further on the web page devoted to Safety Issues.
Universal Firearms Corp., Universal Sporting Goods Inc., Dynamic Merchandise Inc.
What follows below is an important part of Universal's history. What happened, when, and specifically, can get confusing, so I hope to provide the overall
basic concept of the names used by Universal and why.
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The corporate tax form for 1971, submitted November 1970, shows a change in management. Seymour Sommerstein remained President, Robert Sommerstein Vice-President, Paul Bines Vice-President of Sales, Abe Seiderman is listed as Vice-President of Manufacturing and Secretary. For the first time Warren Trilling of New York City is named as Treasurer and Lee Ledford of New York City as Asst. Secretary. Trilling, Ledford, and two new Directors were the investment firm, Mondex Inc. of Madison Ave. in New York City. Mondex invested in a variety of businesses in Florida, most having to do with real estate. Mondex Inc. involvement with Universal was as stock holders, the operations at Universal likely remained unchanged.
Regardless of what the corporate records indicate, the name "Universal Firearms Corp." remained on the catalogs, boxes, and user manuals 1969-1974. In June 1974 Universal Sporting Goods filed a change of address with Florida, indicating a new address of 7920 NW 76th Ave., Medley, FL (part of Miami). This location was/is a warehouse divided into smaller areas used as individual businesses, located several miles west of the Hialeah location. It's not known if this was an expansion of the Universal operations. The location in Hialeah was still used for manufacturing the Universal carbines. The Universal catalog for 1976 had the name Universal Sporting Goods with the 76th Ave. address. The box the carbines were shipped in, and all paperwork within, was changed to Universal Sporting Goods on 76th Ave. The logo on these items was the original Universal Firearms logo, depicted above right.
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The tax reports for 1975-1978 do not list the original founders, Seymour Sommerstein, Robert Sommerstein, or Abe Seiderman. The president, vice-president, and directors were the investors of Mondex Incorporated.
The U.S. Patent Office and Florida patent records indicate in February 1976 "Dynamic Merchandise dba Universal Firearms Incorporated" applied for, and obtained, a trademark for the name "Universal Firearms".
In December of 1970 Paul Bines filed for incorporation of Dynamic Merchandise at 13004 SW 87th Ave in Miami. Bines was the President, Abe Seiderman was Vice-President, their wives served as corporate officers. None of the corporate records (yearly 1970-1985) indicate any connection to Universal Firearms. The articles of incorporation for Dynamic Merchandise state the business would be what the name describes, a dynamic merchandiser. The records say nothing about firearms. The State of Florida Division of Corporations records show Dynamic Merchandise Inc. relocated to 3740 E. 10th Court, Hialeah, FL 33013 (Universal Firearms facility), in May of 1975.
In October 1978 Mondex Inc. incorporated "Universal Firearms, Inc." at 8397 NE Second Ave. in Miami. This corporation was voluntarily dissolved by Mondex in May 1979. In December 1979 Universal Sporting Goods notified Florida their corporation had been dissolved.
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A side note. Seymour Sommerstein no longer appeared in the records affiliated with any of these companies after 1973. In January 1974 Sommerstein incorporated Armsport Inc. at 3590 NW 49th ST., Miami FL 33142. Armsport was a major importer of firearms, many of which were manufactured in Italy. Armsport Inc. was dissolved in January 2007.
A .22 long rifle Conversion Kit, and a new Carbine Model
In April 1978 Universal Firearms Corp. and inventor Abe Seiderman, applied for a patent for a "Conversion Kit for Semiautomatic carbines". This
was for converting an M1 carbine to .22 caliber by replacing key components making the carbine a straight blowback gas operated .22 caliber M1 carbine. The
patent was issued September 1980 Patent #4,220,071.
In 1979 Universal introduced the Model 2200 Leatherneck Carbine in caliber .22LR. This was the incarnation of the carbine described in the .22 Conversion Kit patent and basically a Model 1003 converted to .22 caliber. The Model 2200 Leatherneck Carbine was the same dimensions and weight as the Model 1003 GI carbine.
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Part III: Universal Sale and Universal Redux
Part IV: Details on Specific Models
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