The U.S. Carbine Caliber .30

Slides

Barrel Group	Bolt Group	Receiver Group	Slides	Stock Group	Trigger Housing Group
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Slides Over the years a number of different authors have created their own separate methods of designating part variations. Members of the Carbine Club, now The Carbine Collectors Club, have been submitting data on the carbines, their parts, and variations using a standard form (data sheet) since 1978. The large amount of data submitted over the years has been the primary source used by researchers, collectors, and most all authors for reconstructing what was done by who and when. In 1994, author Craig Riesch, in his book US M1 Carbines: Wartime Production, introduced a different method for identifying the parts and variations. Using similar but less detailed characteristics in use by The Carbine Club, Reisch assigned each an easy to remember single digit number. Due to its simplicity, it has become the most commonly used method to describe part variations. While this has been the easiest to remember and refer to it has not provided sufficient details for reconstructing the history of value to researchers, collectors, authors, and historians. It is also not a method for identifying additional variations beyond the single digit numbers. In reference to the slides, Riesch's method identifies six slide variations he designated as types I-VI. With a seventh footnoted as a variation of types II/IV. Since these are well known to many people the six types are shown in the left column below (Common Type). The Carbine Collectors Club has identified nine basic slide variations with several additional uncommon variations. While our method is not as simple as 1-6 it provides additional valuable information with room to expand should additional variations be found. Our method is shown in the right column below. The chart is followed by the slide portion of the data sheet showing what each letter/number indicates. The photos on this page show the slide characteristics both methods use. Common Type Deflector Lug Shape Arm Joint Width Slide Box Rear Bolt Cam Cut Stop Hole to Cam Cut Part # on Slide Data Sheet Slide Type I Flat (Early) 3/8" (1) Round (5) Flat top (8) 3/32" (A) none E158 A II Flat (Early) 3/8" (1) Semi-Round (6) Flat top - V top   (8)  -  (9) 3/32" (A) none E168 A E169 A III Flat (Early) 3/16" (2) Flat (7) V top (9) 3/32" (A) none E279 A Flat (Early) 9/16" (3) Semi-Round (6) V top (9) 3/32" (A) none E369 A IV Flat (Early) 9/16" (3) Flat (7) V top (9) 3/32" (A) none E379 A V Angled (Late) 9/16" (3) Flat (7) V top 9 3/32" - 2/32" A   -  B none 7160091 L379 A L379 B VI Angled (Late) M2 4 Flat (7) V top 9 2/32" B 7161843 L479 B Note: The presence or absence of part numbers 7160091 or 7161843 along with their rare appearance on other slides requires a bit more explanation than can be provided by a chart. Refer to the section devoted to these slides (farther below). Carbine Collector's Club Data Sheet Link Common Type Data Sheet Type Manufactured by or for W I U Q R SG IP S'G' N S B SA HS 96567 I E158 A X II E168 A X E169 A X X X X X X III E279 A X X X X X X X X X X E369 A X IV E379 A X X X X X X X X X X V L379 A X L379 B X X X VI L479 B X X X X X X L479 B slides manufactured for Ordnance as spares/replacements post WWII:     SA= Springfield Armory     HS = High Standard Mfg. Corp. - also marked HSA (Hi Standard Arms) or 28627 (their DoD vendor code)     96567= Dennison Machine Tool Co. (their DoD vendor code) Should you have questions, assistance is available on our Discussion Forum. If you find a slide not in this chart, please e-mail us at: Please use the forum for other questions. Deflector Lug Shape - Arm Joint Slide Box Rear Slide Box Rear & Deflector Lug Shape Top View Bottom View Bolt Cam Cut Flat Top V Top Improving Ejection Early Late The shape of the deflector lug assisted with the ejection of spent casings. The early shape (left) ejected the casings upwards and sometimes back into the face of the shooter. The design was changed (right) with the introduction of the L379 A slide to eject the casings to the side. The "Type V" slide designation includes both the L379 A and L379 B slides. The changes implemented with the L379 B slide (below) warrant separating one from the other. Reduction of Flash at the Breech On 18 Nov 1943, Ordnance adopted several changes to the type V slide to increase the distance the slide traveled rearward before unlocking the bolt. This gave the bullet and hot gasses more time to escape before unlocking the bolt. The result was less flash at the breech near the shooter's face. These changes in the type V slide corresponded to changes in the bolt design adopted by Ordnance on the same date. (Refer to the page on Bolts) Approximately .04" was removed from the inside of the rear of the slide where it abuts the gas piston. The cam cut was slightly changed with the net result of all changes adding .080" for the slide to travel rearward before the bolt began to rotate and unlock. To simplify documenting this change, the data sheet asks for the distance between the rear of the cam cut and the hole for the slide stop pin. To facilitate easy identification of the modified type V slides from the type V slides prior, Ordnance drawing/part number 7160091 (sometimes D7160091) was added to the bottom of the slide. Refer to the narrative on the M2 slides (below) for additional info on slides marked 7160091. The M2 Slide The M2 slide (Type VI / L479 B) retained the increased dwell time of the L379 B slide and added a cam cut to the right side of the slide for the M2's Disconnector Lever. Cam cut for Disconnector Lever Model M2 carbine showing the Disconnect Lever engaging the M2 slide. Ordnance drawing/part number 7161843 was added to the M2 slide. (SA on this slide identifies the manufacturer as Springfield Armory) L479 slide with government vendor (CAGE) code 28627 (High Standard Mfg. Corp.) High Standard slides were marked HS, HSA, 28627, or HS and 28627. All manufactured post WWII. L479 slide with government vendor (CAGE) code 96567 (Dennison Machine Tool) Manufactured post WWII. A Note Regarding the 7160091 and 7161843 Drawing/Part Numbers Winchester M2 slides are occasionally found with the 7160091 part number. Occasionally an M2 slide shows up without the 7161843 marking. Rebuild specifications called for modifying the right side of any slide with a wide arm joint for use with the M2 carbine. This modification was not implemented as a standard practice by the rebuild facilities but occasionally a slide is found that has this modification. Slides modified to this specification do not have the 7161843 part number on them. Slide Stop & Spring Two types of slide stops and their associated spring were used. The slide stop & spring on the left was superseded in 1944 by the one shown on the right. Slide Recoil Spring & Guide Slide recoil springs were the same throughout production, with 120 coils .258" in diameter with an overall length of approximately 10 1/4". Specifications for the Recoil Spring Guide indicated it should be 4.90" in length. The three basic variations that have been observed are believed to have been differences in manufacturer. Should you have questions, assistance is available on our Discussion Forum. The Discussion Forum also serves as a reference desk for the more advanced material that could easily overwhelm a website and is often subject to opinions that may vary due to a lack of original documentation. A number of researchers and authors are present on the forums, helping others and seeking information for various research projects. © Copyright 2012- The Carbine Collectors Club. All Rights Reserved.