I would not say punished as much as they just had to change to the appearance deemed right per the US Army.

Granted it was pretty silly, but the 1903 has a pattern they liked.

Winchester also jumped the gun on parts conformity and got smacked a bit.

That is more problematical to me. They needed arms in the hand of troops and I think they should have done a mark (star or astricks) to indicate not compliant and then worked to compliance.

Despite some of the reports that not all parts ever did fully interchange, having had mix masters, they all worked fine.