Rifleman Q&A: M1 Carbine Barrel Makers

Q. I have a G.I. M1 carbine marked “Quality H.M.C.” on the receiver, but the barrel is marked “Rock-Ola”. Does this mean that the barrel has been replaced on this carbine?

A. Not necessarily. Of the 10 original primary contractors, only six manufactured their own barrels. The other four used barrels supplied by other prime contractors or by subcontractors. The primary contractors that manufactured their own barrels were Inland, Winchester, Rock-Ola, Underwood, Saginaw and IBM. The maker of your carbine, Quality Hardware Machine Corporation, used a number of barrels procured from Rock-Ola, along with some acquired from other sources, thus it is certainly possible that your carbine retains its original barrel.

—Bruce N. Canfield

This “Questions & Answers” was featured in the April 2007 issue of American Rifleman. At time of publication, "Questions & Answers" was compiled by Staff, Ballistics Editor William C. Davis, Jr., and Contributing Editors: David Andrews, Hugh C. Birnbaum, Bruce N. Canfield, O. Reid Coffield, Charles Q. Cutshaw, Charles M. Fagg, Angus Laidlaw, Harry Hunter, Chuck Karwan, Charles E. Petty, Robert B. Pomeranz, O.D., Jon R. Sundra, Jim Supica, John M. Taylor and John Treakle. 

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