M1 Carbine 6mm bolt and mag problems

[Wanderer]

Greetings all,

Some time ago I bought a used M1 Carbine 6mm on a lark (still not sure why, I go German for WW2 ops). The bolt had broken on the previous owner (at the point where the cylindrical rear piece meets the flat part of the bolt), who JB welded the pieces back together. Unfortunately, the weld held for all of four or five pulls on the charging handle before breaking.

I have looked far and wide for a replacement bolt (no joy), emailed numerous shops asking whether the bolt from the 8mm version would work (no replies), attempted to fix by affixing a small strip of metal to the top of the bolt (the bolt then broke just behind the phalange that nestles into the charging handle after just two pulls, so now it's in three pieces), got frustrated and attempted to sell it (not much interest)...

As you can see, I've attempted just about everything short of taking the pieces to a machine shop and having a new bolt fabricated (God knows how much THAT would cost). Any advice on where to turn would be greatly appreciated.

The magazine problem is, of course, leakage. One mag leaks slowly at the apature next to the fill valve, the other leaks greatly at the firing apature. I have not taken them apart to see what can be done, I would rather get some advice first. I have looked into replacement mags, but they are $40-$50 a pop at the few places that carry them, and NEVER in stock.

Thanks for any help.

-Wanderer

[2nd Bat]

Odds are the mag leaks are "O" rings and should be fairly simple assuming you can source the size. Take the O rings with you to a large hardware outlet with you. The only way JB weld will hold on a high stress part like that is if you drill holes through both parts and insert tiny pins (essentially metal dowels) and then JB weld. Of course you need enough shape and depth to do this and without seeing the breaks it's hard to tell if you have enough material to work with. Id guess that your carbine is toes up and unrepairable. Sadly that's probably the case.

[Wanderer]

Thanks, 2nd Bat. I figured o-rings would be the answer, just wanted to get some expert opinion before I started fiddling with things.

Found some advice on another forum that a little silicon oil can help, seems to have worked on the first mag mentioned. I took apart the second, and sure enough, found an o-ring with a slight tear. Going to go look for a replacement tomorrow.

As to the bolt, looks like I'll have to hit up the machine shops in my area and see what it will cost to have a replacement made (out of steel, not aluminum). Hopefully it won't be an arm and leg.

[2nd Bat]

Ouch! I fear it will be but maybe if someone is intrigued with what you have...You might get lucky.