I have a Universal M1 Carbine clone. Gunbroker prices are all over. This one is near new, has 2 mags, and an ammo can full of milsurp ammo. Ballpark value?
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Price check M1 Carbine
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dmthomp32
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Depending upon condition (as that is in the eye of the beholder) of the carbine, I've seen them for sale locally $475-$600 and they seem to move at those prices. The prices on all carbines GI and Civilian seem to be moving ever upwards. With the ammo addition you might be looking at $850-$900?
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Depending on the vintage and era of Universal, and if it functions 100%, the value will vary some. Not sure how many rounds in the can you have but I would guess $400-500 for the gun, maybe a little more if it has earlier features (wood handguard, etc.)
6actual
US Veteran
There were at least 2 versions of the Universal Carbine I believe the earlier version being the more desirable. The first generation Universal M1 Carbine mainly used USGI parts, including a USGI bolt locking mechanism. IIRC
OP
I suspect this is an early version. It was bought new maybe mid ‘70’s, maybe a little earlier. Hasn’t been shot more than a couple of magazines worth. Functioned fine. It does have a wood hand guard.
AJ
US Veteran
Save your money and find a US GI issue carbine. Much better off in the long run.
AJ
US Veteran
Sorry, misunderstood. Still stand by my statement.
1.) Carbine = $350
2.) 2 mags =$40
3.) Ammo can full of ammo = $200 depending on how much ammo in can.
A quick and easy way to distinguish the later Universals from the early ones is the operating slide asm. The early guns used a GI part, later they re-designed the gun (often thought to be due to GI parts becoming harder and/or more expensive to obtain). The new slide asm was a stamped and welded part with a cutout above the handle that allowed you to see the bolt lug in it's track. I have seen wooden hand guards on both early and late guns so the slide asm is the best way to identify which it is. From old ads I believe the new versions first appeared in the late 60's though they may have had enough stock to continue selling older versions into the early 70's.
They also re-designed a lot of the internal parts, dual recoil springs, cheaper bolt construction, reworked trigger group. These changes really didn't make it a better gun and, at least among many M1 Carbine fans, affect the pricing. The later guns usually sell for a good bit less than the early ones or other commercial Carbines which stayed true to the original design. Original GI Carbines seem to be starting at $800 and up around here with the low end reserved for well worn and/or import marked pieces. Nice commercial guns like the early Universals, Plainfields etc that I've seen are usually $500 and up. The later guns don't seem to sell unless they are cheaper though I'm sure some are bought by buyers who simply don't understand the difference
They also re-designed a lot of the internal parts, dual recoil springs, cheaper bolt construction, reworked trigger group. These changes really didn't make it a better gun and, at least among many M1 Carbine fans, affect the pricing. The later guns usually sell for a good bit less than the early ones or other commercial Carbines which stayed true to the original design. Original GI Carbines seem to be starting at $800 and up around here with the low end reserved for well worn and/or import marked pieces. Nice commercial guns like the early Universals, Plainfields etc that I've seen are usually $500 and up. The later guns don't seem to sell unless they are cheaper though I'm sure some are bought by buyers who simply don't understand the difference
My old Buddy got $395 for an early one three weeks ago at a gun show. two mags with it. With milsurp ammo count .20 per round.
OP
I’m not familiar enough with these guns to tell what I’ve got. I opened the bolt and looked but I didn’t see anything that looked like a stamped or welded part. This gun is in near new condition. Has a total of four mags, and at least 200 rounds of factory hollow points as well as another couple of hundred rounds of ball ammo. It’s so slick handling that I almost hate to part with it. But, I have a late model Mini 14 that’s undoubtedly more accurate and hard hitting. It’s also heavier. At my age, heavy is not a good thing. Maybe I should dump the Mini and keep the M1 C. 
Can anyone post a picture of an old and new version or just one of them that I could compare?
Can anyone post a picture of an old and new version or just one of them that I could compare?
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6actual
US Veteran
pictures of the receiver and bolt would help
here are a few resources;
Universal Firearms
Universal M1 Carbine Production History
here are a few resources;
Universal Firearms
Universal M1 Carbine Production History
I'd say $450-$500 for the package.
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You can search Ginbroker for completed sales (and see if they were of similar guns to yours if there are enough detailed photos). But a nice example with the GI parts, four magazines and 400 rounds of ammo (the latter two totals about $200 to me) - I still think $500-600 to the right buyer.
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F75gunslinger
Member
I’m not familiar enough with these guns to tell what I’ve got. I opened the bolt and looked but I didn’t see anything that looked like a stamped or welded part. This gun is in near new condition. Has a total of four mags, and at least 200 rounds of factory hollow points as well as another couple of hundred rounds of ball ammo. It’s so slick handling that I almost hate to part with it. But, I have a late model Mini 14 that’s undoubtedly more accurate and hard hitting. It’s also heavier. At my age, heavy is not a good thing. Maybe I should dump the Mini and keep the M1 C.
Can anyone post a picture of an old and new version or just one of them that I could compare?
I would test the two back to back to see which one is more accurate.The early Mini 14s are notorious for not being very accurate.
If it was me, I would choose the carbine over the mini 14 if the carbine was an older one and in good shape. You can always get another mini 14 and the new ones are supposed to be far better accuracy wise.
It also depends on what you are doing with them. If just an occasional range round then keep the carbine. If it's going to be hunted with or possibly beat up keep the 14.
OP
The Mini is a newer one with the heavy barrel. I’ve never bothered to shoot it for groups. Pretty confident it’s more accurate than the carbine. BUT, for its size, it’s mighty damn heavy. I have a couple of AR’s for serious social issues. Decisions decisions.
Stay away from Mi Carbine "Clones" !
OP
Ok. I think this is a new one. Essentially if the serial no. is over 100,000, and/or it has a patent number, it’s a new one. The old ones say “M1 Carbine. The newer ones are “Universal Carbines”.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
A Universal M-1 was one of the first new guns I bought in 1974. $170 OTD. It was junk and the magazine retaining latch and mag well were junk pot metal that became so sloppy that mags would fall out while firing! I had it at a gunsmith's shop for repair and all the guns there got stolen. He bought me a brand new replacement Universal. I never fired it and replaced it with one of the 2 IBM's I have now!
I also had a number of old model mini-14's in blue and stainless. They shot terrible!!! Any AR-15 that was assembled half way correct will out shoot them all day long!
Unsolicited advice: Sell the Universal and the mini, for as mush as you can and still make a sale! Keep the AR's and the M-1 ammo and find a GI or mil-spec M-1! You didn't say what size your mags are, most any 15 round mag will function until damaged, after-market 30 round mags are junk from day one!
Ivan
I also had a number of old model mini-14's in blue and stainless. They shot terrible!!! Any AR-15 that was assembled half way correct will out shoot them all day long!
Unsolicited advice: Sell the Universal and the mini, for as mush as you can and still make a sale! Keep the AR's and the M-1 ammo and find a GI or mil-spec M-1! You didn't say what size your mags are, most any 15 round mag will function until damaged, after-market 30 round mags are junk from day one!
Ivan
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