I also bought one of the Universal M1 carbines from Sears & Roebuck back many years ago (1970's). It was totally different from a 'real' M1 carbine and not even magazines would interchange. It was cheap garbage, but I wanted an M1 carbine and I thought the Universal was an actual copy of the GI carbines. My big mistake.
I can't even recall how I got rid of it, but for some odd reason, I still have the black plastic 5 or 10 rd magazine for it. If you would like it, or if any member would, I would like to get rid of it. Despite the spiders liking it.