Anyone know if they ever made A1 handguards in Carbine length, the size for a Bushmaster Shorty 16" and where I could get them if they did make em?

I got a pair from CMMG.
If you're anywhere near the Quad Cities, you could certainly take a look at mine...I haven't built a new carbine to put them on, yet.
Sluggo

I can't find any on CMMG's site, do they carry them and not put em on the page?  

You mean like this?

This is a standard A1 handguard cut down and using a new end cap ($10 plus S&H) from Ken Drasen at Hay River Trading. [email protected]
(715)357-6054

Installation of the new cap requires front sight removal. It also means that you need to cut down a set of A1 handguards or get some from Ken. If you decide to cut your own, ask Ken about the quick handguard hacking tips. There's a couple of gotchas.

[img]http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/TonyK/Commandosmall.gif[/img]

Ya that is what I meant, I was just wondering if there were any factory made ones. I don't think I want to go through the trouble of getting that.

Thanks.

Other than some experimental carbines shorty triangular handguards were not a common item.  The XM177/E1/E2 submachineguns had the same round handguards we associate with carbines today.

These make interesting variations, or course.

The photo is sure a mix of parts!  C77 Upper with teardrop forward assist, M16A1 lower with M16A2 pistol grip, some sort of pad on the butt, and those short triangular handguards over a short barrel.

That's one of the benefits of this system, you can mix and match parts as you please without messing up the basic design and functionality.

-- Chuck