Thanks CC - your input is appreciated. It would be neat if we could have a show with completely disassembled carbines - all of our collective parts out on tables so everyone could see and compare and gain knowledge from it. I guess we try to do that with pictures here on the forum - every little bit helps. I dug this slide out of a box of parts at a gun show, looking for one that had very little wear on the tab. I wasn't happy with the light gray look (no finish? or cast iron?) but now know that it's at least a genuine GI part. Almost all of the exposed edges are bright as if from a lot of handling. Maybe it was a "left over" after the war ended, and the manufacturer sold them off just to get rid of them. - Bob