I prefer to support small business but I also like to see things in my hands or at least photos of things in a complete state.
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We are going to be at a disadvantage because we have no idea what is available locally.
Ex: The few gun shops in my metro who stock parts have very few handguards available. None were suitable at the time I was building a rifle or pistol.
That sort of depth in merchandise is much the same as hot rod parts. Only the most common ones are usually available. In that example you'd be stuck with SBC for the mass buyer, no help at all when you are building a Dodge or Ford. And these days? Small block Chevys are a dying block, especially as the older diy guy slowing down and crate warranty motors on the uprise.
There are so many different handguards and floats out there now I would be stunned to see a display of them all. It would be SHOT show level merchandising -
This is why the internet exists. It's the next step after mail order catalogs, and keeping with the hot rod example, we have Summit, Jegs, and dozens of others who cater to that with lower prices and more availability than any brick and mortar. Even a national auto parts chain orders in most of the m/y/m specific stuff in the dozens offered for that particular build up.
Odds are you will be like the rest of us. You pick one out, order it in, and live with it. If not, you post it on the EE and move on.