Hello from Los Angeles

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   Only recently got my first Carbine...a 1944 Underwood.  Not a collector piece but so far it seems like a good shooter.  The previous owner messed up the stock by shellacking it so that it has lost the dull oiled finish they are known for.  It also has made it impossible to find markings on the wood.  I have not looked at every single part in the weapon since so many were mixed and matched when they retired from service and were serviced by the Arsenal for re-issue.  In stead I have been acquiring some spare parts and tools so that I can learn to work on it myself.  The flat bolt had been jewel polished by the previous owner and was incorrect to the serial number.  I found a very nice Underwood round bolt on eBay and now that is in the gun.  The operating rod was very hard to get off.  A gun smith found it slightly bent.  He straightened for me but I also acquired a later M1/M2 operating rod that is now the primary one, the other held as a reserve part.  I've also been loading up on magazines, old and new.  So far they all worked very well on the first and only range day I've had before the virus shut down.  Once things open up again, I will go out and start zeroing in the sights.

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johnireland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Apr 16 2020 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Status: Offline Points: 16	Post Options Post Reply Quote johnireland Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Hello from Los Angeles Posted: Apr 16 2020 at 8:01pm
	Only recently got my first Carbine...a 1944 Underwood. Not a collector piece but so far it seems like a good shooter. The previous owner messed up the stock by shellacking it so that it has lost the dull oiled finish they are known for. It also has made it impossible to find markings on the wood. I have not looked at every single part in the weapon since so many were mixed and matched when they retired from service and were serviced by the Arsenal for re-issue. In stead I have been acquiring some spare parts and tools so that I can learn to work on it myself. The flat bolt had been jewel polished by the previous owner and was incorrect to the serial number. I found a very nice Underwood round bolt on eBay and now that is in the gun. The operating rod was very hard to get off. A gun smith found it slightly bent. He straightened for me but I also acquired a later M1/M2 operating rod that is now the primary one, the other held as a reserve part. I've also been loading up on magazines, old and new. So far they all worked very well on the first and only range day I've had before the virus shut down. Once things open up again, I will go out and start zeroing in the sights.

W5USMC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: Apr 29 2017 Location: Missouri Status: Online Points: 2959	Post Options Post Reply Quote W5USMC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr 16 2020 at 8:13pm
	Welcome to the forum.
	Wayne USMC Retired NRA Life Member

tenOCEE Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Hard Corps Knows rear sights! Joined: Jan 01 2016 Location: East Tenn Status: Offline Points: 1330	Post Options Post Reply Quote tenOCEE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr 16 2020 at 8:16pm
	Welcome. BTW, it's called the slide. Your slide was bent.
	My sig: Seen an IP or S'G'? Add it to my registry. We'll check consecutives. https://grandrapids.wufoo.com/forms/zzlnt0519k86xs/

PLN-TAP-7 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List On Point Joined: Mar 28 2020 Location: FRANCE Status: Offline Points: 117	Post Options Post Reply Quote PLN-TAP-7 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr 17 2020 at 3:38am
	Hi from France. I post an answer to your inquiry about French law gun somewhere else. The stock being "upgraded" with varnish i not that bad as it can be reverted. The danger is when the operator do not care for the markings and goes sand gritting the wood: I know of a beautiful late IBM ( 1944 AO receiver mind you) whose white wood (birch?) had been sand like that and only left a trace of the cross cannons. The recoil plate still sport the varnish coat though!

Donnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List On Point Joined: May 31 2018 Location: Newburgh, IN Status: Offline Points: 336	Post Options Post Reply Quote Donnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Apr 17 2020 at 6:05am
	John, welcome to the forum. It would appear you found yourself a nice shooter grade, first carbine. It also sounds like you are enjoying it. I'd recommend you buy Jerry Kuhnhausen's book and best shop manual, The US 30 Caliber Carbines. The folks on this forum have a wealth of knowledge and always are willing to share. I've learm much here.