Quality Hardware.

[Mikey51]

I have #1554234 receiver with a barrel, spring tube, guide and spring, with a DA-Q slide (square cut at the rear). And ... that's all I've got ! Although the books say Quality did receive some Inland barrels, this barrel is an Inland dated 6/44. The estimated time of production for that serial number is April to June 43 so my question is .... could that barrel be original to the receiver ? I'm thinking no, but am not sure. The time difference, and the fact that the left hand side of the front sight is marked RIA make me think it is a replacement barrel. What do you guys think ? Anyone have a Quality around that S/N with an Inland barrel ? I'm just trying to decide if I should look for more Quality parts as a re-build project. Thanks. Mike.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Tired Retired]

Mike,

I think it is very safe to assume that it is a replacement barrel. With that serial being 4,234 into their production, I am sure it was caught up in the "waiting for barrels" from the barrel program which QH experienced when they 1st started up. I don't know how you are fixed for availability of spare barrels down there. Maybe Brian or someone with access to the data sheets can tell you what the most common barrels were in that range. I would assume that its going to be Rockola. War Baby lists a direct transfer of 3,000 barrels from Rockola to QH in early April 43.

But here's my usualy question - how does the carbine shoot with that Inland barrel?

[Wulf]

You cannot just put the correct date barrel o it. You have to make sure the proof P is correct size and position for QHMC also.

[Mikey51]

Tired, I can't shoot it as I only have the parts listed above. It's not in a stock. I've just been having a close look at the barrel skirt too. It doesn't look right to me, there doesn't appear to be one ! .... so another question, did RIA mess with the skirts. Mmmmm ? Thanks. Mike.

[Tired Retired]

I remember reading in WB that damaged skirts were ground off prior to installation to keep from having to throw out an otherwise good barrel. This is what lead to the overall shortening of the skirts in the next barrel variation. Based on this researched fact, added to a shortage of barrels during the time that yours was manufactured, I think it is safe to assume that they were trying to use every barrel that they could get their hands on and could pass inspection.

[Wulf]

I believe damaged long skirts were taken down to short skirts. Not sure about no skirts at all.

[kar66]

I have one close to that serial number. It has a Inland 7-43 bbl.. QHMC was already out of the M1 Carbine Mfg. by 4-44.

[Mikey51]

You are right again Tired, I've had a few e mails, the majority of folks seem to think it should be a Rock-Ola barrel. Another clue I missed myself, was that the Inland barrel has a type 2 band on it which, I am advised, is correct for a 6/44 date. Thanks again.

[Wulf]

Why Rockola? Why not UEF?

[Tired Retired]

Wulf, using a Rockola is just playing the odds in a historical game....

1) That carbine was one of the 5,000 produced by QHMC. When you compare the serial to the production numbers (500 in Feb, 2,300 in March and 4,400 in April) that receiver Mike has is solid Mid April 43.

2) War Baby outlines the difficulty in getting the free barrel program rolling and how QH had a backlog due to the lack of barrels.

3) WB also lists a direct transfer of over 3,000 barrels in early April 43 from Rockola to Quality Hardware. This in addition to the free barrel program.

So not counting that Rockola and Quality are in the same city (which probably played a small role in what barrels went where in the Free Barrel program), its safe to say that at least 3,000 of the carbines built by Quality Hardware in late March (held receivers) and early April received Rockola barrels from that direct transfer.

Wow, you think I should try and be a lawyer? I almost convince myself!