***Apologies if this type of post is not allowed, please let me know if it isn't?***

A friend posted this in the Galil subforum on valmet.org, I thought it was worth posting here also since there's a lot more traffic.

I am looking for this but also with with the ability to attach the carry handle.... any possibility of looking at this as an option?

Do it right and add the carry handle, I bought an aftermarket carry handle handguard retainer from the AK files. I have a handguard retainer that has the bipod hook if anyone is interested. Its just sitting in my safe...

The guy I designed the part for did not want the carry handle option. I think he has a lead on a part since I posted this here, but, if there's interest (and if it is allowed) I can figure out adding the carry handle portion.

I don't think there is anything wrong with cross-posting, but the with-CH retainers are the hot ticket item (as you pointed out, most people have their own non-CH retainer already from their kit).

I realize it is a big "IF", but if your buddy's friend with the tools/software could make copies of the handle AND retainer, he might really have something.

The handle is just a really heavy gauge wire I think, but might actually be the hardest part to re-produce without also requiring a jig/fixture. I could easily imagine the plastic part is 3D-printable.

Is he just using a regular CNC milling machine to make his retainer copy? At that price point, I think only the "with CH-loop" style retainers would attract enough interest to be worth his time.

I am "the buddy's friend" with cad software and a cnc bridgeport in my garage hehe

Just curious as to the reason you didn't want to go with a carry handle? I know most people (myself included) find the carry handle to be most desirable. You can hardly find factory carry handles so the two guys that I know on the boards that sell them can't make them fast enough,  I was able to buy one for my build. I was just curious....

ICS makes one and it is an exact copy, I put one on my Galeo and it fit perfect, all steel.

Who is ICS?

They make a $500 airsoft Galil, they use the same specs as IMI to make some parts of the rifle. After I bought my Galeo I saw someone on Gunbroker selling "unknown maker"
carry handle/ferrule units for $200. I found out through different forums they were ICS. They are solid steel made just as well as the originals but new condition.
Mine cost $80 because they only shop that had them was in the Netherlands and I got killed with shipping.

My friend, who asked me to design and make the part, did not want the carry handle option. His personal preference.

Funny, I'm looking for the 5.56 AR rear handguard retainer without the bipod hooks.

Wouldn't that just be a SAR handguard retainer?

You will find opinions all over the map.

I only think the CH makes sense for the ARM as it was a support weapon. I can easily see how they might have had trouble with reservists carrying the damn thing around like a suitcase, or with it getting snagged and broken so often that armorers were having a snit fit.

Or maybe it's just a military thing--ask how many US SMs were ever encouraged to use the convenient "carry handle" on an M16...very few I'd bet.

At the of the day, it just wasn't worth it to me to add back something that was probably originally made for $2 in time and materials, to re-create a look that was abandoned from use, and adds weight to a pig of a rifle.

However, just because I don't prefer it doesn't mean it's not extremely popular.

OP, have you tested your machining time on your mill? If you modeled the main variants you might sell a few. But you are competing with surplus parts (and indifference).

I only have experience with the galil AR, I don't know if the SAR retainer works.  I was under the impression that even the 7.62 ARM retainers without hooks don't have the same dimensions as the 5.56 AR ones.

I have not. He found an oem part before I got that far. I make my living doing custom work, so I've simply moved on to the next job on the list.

I am pretty sure SAR and AR Handguard Ferrule or Rear Handguard mount are the same, both Apex and Numrich show them as the same.

Its amazing how many of these Galil parts have dried up as companies began offering complete rifles for sale....

How about South African R5/R6 retainers?  They are a little different than AR/SAR Retainers.

As an FYI, a member on another board makman90 makes ARM retainers with the carry handle attachment.  He does top notchwork! I'm not sure if he currently has any.