Inland Div. 9/43 M1 Carbine

[Jkrem]

I have been looking for an M1 Carbine, and walked into one on Tuesday. It is a Inland Division Blue Sky import, serial number 679K, barrel is Inland Div. 9/43. The muzzle gages .305, and the bore is great. This one has original finish, not the gunky phosphate. I was heading away to archery hunt, but reloaded 10rds using 13.5 grs of some old IMR 4198, and some RCBS 30-115s sized .309. Bullets weigh 118grs. At 50yrds, the first 4 were low and right. One adjustment put them dead on. I’m a very happy camper, except for the fact that the gun doesn’t feed. I’m thinking this may be due to the powder not being in great shape. There was some red dust in the can. Appreciate any thoughts. Best powders and data for a 115-120gr cast bullet? Thanks.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

The powder is suspect, as red rust in the can indicates moisture was in the can. You sure lucked into a good carbine. I'd also try a new recoil spring, and maybe swap magazines.

DG

[square butte]

You could also try another magazine or two

[Kai]

What do you mean it won't feed? Does the bolt not go back far enough to eject empty and pick up next round? Could be a lack of power in your reloads. Could be the magazine. Could be the springs need replacing. You'l get it figured. At least it shoots straight!

[Jkrem]

The rifle ejects fine, but then it won’t strip the next round from the magazine. When I pull back the lever and load the top round, it works fine. The magazine is USGI new out of wrap. I have two others and will try them. I’m thinking that the powder may be bad, and that the bolt may not be coming back far enough to strip off the next round due to low power.

What do you mean it won't feed? Does the bolt not go back far enough to eject empty and pick up next round? Could be a lack of power in your reloads. Could be the magazine. Could be the springs need replacing. You'l get it figured. At least it shoots straight!

[Adam Helmer]

Very nice Carbine! I got my Inland in 1965 from DCM for $17.50 plus $2.50 postage. Whenever I buy a new gun, I always run good quality factory ammo through first time to ensure the gun is within factory specs. I shudder to think you tried suspect "red dust" gunpowder and handloads to check out such a Gem.

Be well.

Adam

[tward]

Great looking rifle, nice find! You wil get a load dialed in that feeds, have fun and good luck deer hunting! Tim

[Ithaca Gunner]

What Adam wrote. It seems to be short stroking due to insufficiant power of the ammunition. I would give it a good cleaning, lube as per spec, and try it with some G.I. spec ammo, should run just fine. I've had good results with W-296, H-110, IMR-2400, and IMR-4227 with boolits from 100gr.-135gr.

A G.I. Carbine is one of the funnest little rifles you can own!

[dale2242]

IMR 4198 is too slow a powder for M1 Carbine.
Look at something like H110/296, 2400, or 4227.
Your load doesn't have enough pressure to push the bolt back far enough to pick up the next round.

[Jkrem]

Not my smartest move Adam. I’ll be setting it aside for the county hazardous materials collection.

I shudder to think you tried suspect "red dust" gunpowder and handloads to check out such a Gem.

Be well.

Adam

[dogrunner]

Ten to one if it doesn't feed it's a mag. issue....................Mine is a 3/44 bbld inland converted to selective fire way back in '67, in my experience the 15's are reliable, the 30's not so much. Too, if using reloads then much depends on their quality. I've used Lyman's 120 311359 cast from straight wheelweights, gas checked and lubed with the old standby, alox. I've mostly used 2400, but substituted 4227 with identical results. Certainly no minute of angle piece, but more than good enough for it's original purpose. Fun gun!

[Larry Gibson]

As mentioned, 2400 and 4227 are both better powders in the 30 Carbine. However, I've been shooting cast bullets in M1/M2 carbines since '68 and have found H110 or Win 296 to be the best powder to use with cast or jacketed bullets in the 30 Carnine cartridges in M1/M2 carbines. My most often used cast bullets were the Lyman 311359 (119 gr) and the 313631 (105 gr) for which I have 2 cavity moulds. But once I picked up a Lyman 311316 (118 gr) mould it's the one I mostly use in all three of my M1 Carbines.

The RCBS 30-115 bullet you are casting is also an excellent cast bullet for the M1 Carbine as you found. I suggest trying 13 to 13.5 gr H110/296 under it. You will get 1850 fps to 1900 fps with 13.5 gr. At that velocity it can be well regulated to the sight yardage of the rear sight from 100/150 yards to 300 yards. Also, unless you want to just keep it original and just shoot it as is, best accuracy can be had with some simple bedding.

Nice find BTW.

[Adam Helmer]

Not my smartest move Adam. I’ll be setting it aside for the county hazardous materials collection.

Jkrem,

Perhaps you would get smarter to use GI Ball rather than "red dust" gun powder and reloads! What were you testing? Your "red dust" gun powder or an Inland? Different strokes for different folks...Whatever.

Adam

[Adam Helmer]

What Adam wrote. It seems to be short stroking due to insufficiant power of the ammunition. I would give it a good cleaning, lube as per spec, and try it with some G.I. spec ammo, should run just fine. I've had good results with W-296, H-110, IMR-2400, and IMR-4227 with boolits from 100gr.-135gr.

A G.I. Carbine is one of the funnest little rifles you can own!

Ithaca Gunner,

Many thanks for the support. WHY would anyone want to check out a new gun with a "red dust" gunpowder handload? WHAT was he checking?

I ALWAYS fire, FIRST TIME Factory ammo to check out any new purchase. How "Red Dust" Powder guy found a handload for his check out baffles me. It takes all types in America..I ALWAYS use factory or GI Ball.

Be well.

Adam

[jimb16]

What Adam wrote. It seems to be short stroking due to insufficiant power of the ammunition. I would give it a good cleaning, lube as per spec, and try it with some G.I. spec ammo, should run just fine. I've had good results with W-296, H-110, IMR-2400, and IMR-4227 with boolits from 100gr.-135gr.

Those are probably the best choices of powders for the carbine. I use a 120 gr. plain base with H-110, 2400 or 4227. All show excellent accuracy and good function. You failure to load the next round sounds like a short stroke of the bolt. I suspect weak powder. Get some fresh powder and try again. If that doesn't cure the problem let us know. There are a few less likely suspects.

[mannetjiesroux]

a few ideas...
1- Clean & lube.
2- check the piston nut. If it is loose, then clean, lube, tighten and punch-swage in place.
3- fire a box of fresh factory ammo. If the problem persists, then...
4- check the slide spring. If weak, gently stretch it. That can help in the short term. Replace, if it is weak. Wolff springs are excellent.
5- Magazine: If you are using a 30rd mag, try a 15rd. Borrow or buy a 2nd mag. I would replace the magazine spring if is weak.

[jdfoxinc]

Just fertilize your lawn with the power. Or pour it out in a line on concrete or bare dirt and light one end.

[Thumbcocker]

4227

[FLINTNFIRE]

WC-820 for those who still have it , had a nice little carbine , bought it from Springfield Sporters , fun but for a reloader it was always hard finding the brass out in the woods where I went to shoot .

[Larry Gibson]

I picked up a jug of WC 820 a while back at an estate sale. Found 12.5 gr in the 30 Carbine under the 311316 to be a good load running 1850 fps. Didn't mention WC 820 to OP as it's probably scarcer than H110/296........

Many years back I picked up a brass catcher for the M1 Carbine. Snaps on and off with no modification needed. Is light weight and not too unhandy for range and field use. I can use it with the issue sights or the scout scope. Unfortunately, I haven't seen them advertised for years.