I have an M1 carbine in that won’t shoot. I test fired it in my shot box, which requires me to shoot vertically, and it shoots fine. Horizontally, it does not fire. Am I looking at a barrel setback? Your thoughts and comments greatly appreciated!
Need some more info. What does and doesn’t it do? To start I would pull it out of the stock and tip it up and down while looking for broken or loose parts. Also check for broken firing pin. Let us know what you fined. pj
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Does the M1 Carbine have a firing pin return spring? BN
Follow Up
It doesn’t. At least not in the GI model. -TL
Question Follow up
The firing pin is new, protrusion is good. No broken parts. Firing pin is a floating type and is cammed by the bolt. I will check headspace next, thanks!
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Check the hammer to bolt fit to be sure the hammer can and will push the firing pin forward as it should. Also check headspace, but remember with the bolt closed and regardless of the direction the gun is pointing the case is pushed forward by the constant tension plunger type ejector. So if pointed up or down the case should be positioned in the same place. So excessive headspace on an M1 Carbine can cause misfires but usually won’t matter which direction the gun is pointed. Ken
Question Follow Up
Head space is good. Bolt does not close on no go, closes on go. (This is with the ejector removed). I did not mention, when shooting in my shotbox, I am shooting vertical down.
After doing more research on this issue, I decided that I would change the bolt from the flat top to the round top type and now the rifle cycles very well. I could go into much more detail but just wanted to share the conclusion!
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I’d love more detail. I confused about why the difference between the two bolts would help or correct your issue, other than the fact that swapping bolts may have fixed something wrong with the old bolt assembly. Jeff
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Please share. How did the new bolt fix the problem? Excessive headspace? Binding firing pin? Incorrect hammer to bolt engagement? Ken
