"Inland" Manufacturing M1 Carbines - 1st hand experience

[Sleeplessnashadow]

Historically Inland has been pretty good about customer service calls.

The stocks and handguards used by "Inland" are made by the same company who makes them for Auto Ordnance. They are not compatible with a GI handguard or GI stock as they are about 1/4" shorter than GI stocks. Use as a matched set they shouldn't present the size problem.

The second issue with the manufacturer who makes the stocks and handguards for Auto Ordnance and Inland is their handguards typically overlap the stock towards the front. Sometimes on one side, sometimes on both sides. And unevenly. Usually enough to provide a sharp edge where a person holds the front of the stock. This also weakens the extended area making it more susceptible to damage.

Issue #3 has been the cut at the front of the stock at the end of the barrel channel should be somewhat rounded. The manufacturer has been leaving out this step producing a stock with a semi-squared off forend. This doesn't affect function but for those who prefer a carbine that looks like a carbine it's a definite eyesore.

Unlike Auto-Ordnance, Inland stains their stocks with a dark walnut finish. Auto-Ordnance uses a lighter finish. Auto-Ordnance also uses wood with knots and repaired knot holes. This is acceptable to them and for awhile indicated so on their website. I haven't seen this with Inland's stocks. Their handguard to stock fit tends to be better than those used by Auto-Ordnance.

Have a look back on this thread to the end of January 2016 or beginning of Feb 2016 and you'll see photo's of the stocks.

Generally Inland does a better job than Auto Ordnance with handguard fit, rounding the nose and overall finish. They've been making some adjustments to compensate for the quality turned out by the manufacturer but the overall length is still short of GI.

Jim

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[HDSledge]

Historically Inland has been pretty good about customer service calls.

The stocks and handguards used by "Inland" are made by the same company who makes them for Auto Ordnance. They are not compatible with a GI handguard or GI stock as they are about 1/4" shorter than GI stocks. Use as a matched set they shouldn't present the size problem.

The second issue with the manufacturer who makes the stocks and handguards for Auto Ordnance and Inland is their handguards typically overlap the stock towards the front. Sometimes on one side, sometimes on both sides. And unevenly. Usually enough to provide a sharp edge where a person holds the front of the stock. This also weakens the extended area making it more susceptible to damage.

Issue #3 has been the cut at the front of the stock at the end of the barrel channel should be somewhat rounded. The manufacturer has been leaving out this step producing a stock with a semi-squared off forend. This doesn't affect function but for those who prefer a carbine that looks like a carbine it's a definite eyesore.

Unlike Auto-Ordnance, Inland stains their stocks with a dark walnut finish. Auto-Ordnance uses a lighter finish. Auto-Ordnance also uses wood with knots and repaired knot holes. This is acceptable to them and for awhile indicated so on their website. I haven't seen this with Inland's stocks. Their handguard to stock fit tends to be better than those used by Auto-Ordnance.

Have a look back on this thread to the end of January 2016 or beginning of Feb 2016 and you'll see photo's of the stocks.

Generally Inland does a better job than Auto Ordnance with handguard fit, rounding the nose and overall finish. They've been making some adjustments to compensate for the quality turned out by the manufacturer but the overall length is still short of GI.

Jim

I'm ok with small differences as long as the fit is tight. Will store with the original stock mounted. I always root for family owned vet run biz so I'll do what I can to support Inland. When mine arrives I will post a review with pics.

[HDSledge]

They are not compatible with a GI handguard or GI stock as they are about 1/4" shorter than GI stocks. Use as a matched set they shouldn't present the size problem.

The second issue with the manufacturer who makes the stocks and handguards for Auto Ordnance and Inland is their handguards typically overlap the stock towards the front.

Issue #3 has been the cut at the front of the stock at the end of the barrel channel should be somewhat rounded.

Jim

re. Stock and handguard 1/4" shorter. Apparently they are still shipping those since mine is a bit shorter too. You can see the barrel band wear mark that used to be covered in my review pics. No matter though it's just for range time.

re. Handguard overlap of stock. Mine has a slight overlap in the rear of the handguard left side. No overlap at front. When the handguard is place over the forestock and positioned they line up fine. Their outside dimensions are fine. The problem is the barrel groove in the handguard. On mine it is a bit off center through the part and therefore the affixed metal tab is off center too. An easy tooling fix for the company if they are reading this.

Only other problems for me were minor fit and finish. At least with the stock set, I give them an 8 out of 10. The quarter inch didn't cost them any points but me having to smooth the buttplate edge and sand the handguard lip cost them 2.

Now that I have read this whole thread I can only offer good luck to the company. I hope they get it together soon.