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An Interesting Barrel

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davevella View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davevella Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: An Interesting Barrel
    Posted: Jan 03 2022 at 4:16pm

Hi Guys,

I have a curiosity to share with you.

When I bought my rifle, I noticed it had been fired quite a lot, and the barrel was pretty well worn, if not worn out. I found a surplus barrel on the interweb that I thought would make it a better shooter. This was, of course, before I had read all the ugly headlines about the reproduction and counterfeit parts roaming around. I was very disappointed to learn this, but I suppose I should not be too surprised.

Needless to say, when the barrel arrived, I took a pretty close look at it. It seemed ok to my naked eye, but my eye is pretty new at this game. I certainly do not want to shoot a fake barrel, and I am going to order the newsletter back issue which talks about them (as well as some other publications), but in the meantime I thought I would throw this out to you guys with a few photos to see what you think.

The barrel is parkerized black, it has a short skirt, and the muzzle seems to have been recrowned/counterbored.

There is a small “P” proofmark on the top of the barrel that does not appear to have been applied with much care. There is also a number “2” stamped on the barrel flat.

The Rock-Ola on the gas cylinder is stamped very lightly.

Now here is the one that really piqued my curiosity.

I have read in the past, where due to the stress of wartime production, materials shortages, and the like, some equipment manufacturers reused or modified old stamps just to keep the production lines running. This makes sense considering the priority at the time was to get the equipment out the door; no thought or care was given to what some guy eighty years away was going to think about it.

When I looked at the stamp at the top of the barrel, just under the sight, I noticed that the “O” in Rock was not an “O” at all. It is, in fact, a “C” turned upside down.

Is it possible that an ingenious person on the production line improvised to keep things up and running when faced with an emergency “O” shortage? or did I just get scammed?








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davevella View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davevella Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 03 2022 at 4:20pm
Forgot one photo, sorry
Dave
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote GotSnlB28 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 03 2022 at 6:43pm
It's a repro. Few tells including breech, gas cylinder front, stamping, muzzle, etc. Appears new. Where did you buy it from?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote floydthecat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 03 2022 at 7:29pm
Never seen a muzzle dressed like that. Wonder if they used the backwards C to prevent a trademark infringement. 😏
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davevella View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davevella Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 04 2022 at 10:25pm
Yes, it appeared new to me as well. I got it from our friends at RA out in California.
Dave
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote GotSnlB28 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 04 2022 at 10:39pm
Riverbank is bad news. I'd try to get your money back right away - some have had luck doing so in the past. Hope it works out for you. It's a shame these dishonest sellers are still in business deceiving people.
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Pro Libertate View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (2) Thanks(2)   Quote Pro Libertate Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 04 2022 at 10:55pm
I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune! When I first entered the world of carbines last year, I had mentioned to one of the old-timers on the forum of my intent to pick up a few parts from Riverbank Armory... thank God he set me straight and informed me of just how nefarious they were before I placed my order. I learned -then and there- that having a legitimate-looking website doesn't mean a dealer's on the up and up.

Have you fired the carbine with the barrel that was on it initially in order to assess its accuracy? When you say it was "nearly worn out", did you gauge the muzzle, or did you reach that conclusion simply through visual inspection alone? I don't mean to be condescending here, as I have no idea what your level of firearms experience is, but I'd strongly suggest performing an accuracy test at the range before dismissing the old barrel (assuming you haven't done this already). I've owned numerous military surplus rifles that exhibited well-worn rifling and yet have been pleasantly surprised by their accuracy. 


Edited by Pro Libertate - Jan 04 2022 at 11:17pm
Eric
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote floydthecat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 05 2022 at 5:27am
Yes, for sure shoot the “worn out” barrel first. Don’t change it based on a gauge-reading or looks. You could be surprised. Remember, the carbine was considered a torso-shooter and not a target rifle. Don’t let collecting and appearance become confused with practicality.
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