Green Bakelite left handguards

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Green Bakelite left handguards

Posted: 8/13/2017 8:25:37 AM EDT

What is the story behind there being green/bakelight right side handguards and no left sides? It is very weird and I would love to know. I've been trying to find a left side and anyone only ever has rights.

Thanks!

Posted: 8/13/2017 9:04:56 AM EDT

[#1]

The general ARFCOM Retro forum theory was that left side hand guards were replaced more often in service as the rifles were always laid down on the left side at the range and the left hand guard was more susceptible to damage. (The reason for this practice is so range safety officers could easily verify that the bolt was locked to the rear and the rifle was unloaded between stages and before people left the range.)

I'm more inclined to believe that there are crates of them stored in secret government warehouses.

Posted: 8/13/2017 2:15:13 PM EDT

[#2]

Yeah. I have a green left one and it's missing a tooth and I still had to pay $350 for it. I couldn't find a right, so I said gawk it, I don't need another 601 replica so I sold the grip and Type A stock. Now I kinda wish I didn't.

Posted: 8/13/2017 2:52:15 PM EDT

[#3]

I have a complete brown set, but need two left greens to complete my type A green BFPU and type B green. Missing a tooth would have fit in nice with my BFPU...

Posted: 8/13/2017 2:55:38 PM EDT

[#4]

I got lucky & started off with a left side. The right side took me a long time to find when I was looking.

Posted: 8/14/2017 7:42:04 PM EDT

[#5]

Forward assist on is on the right side of the gun. Go to put it in a rifle rack and it often smacks the left handguard of the rifle next to it, especially with the projection of the triangle forends.

Yes, I have forsthamd experience with this.

Sven
Manticore Arms

Posted: 8/14/2017 8:15:54 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Forward assist on is on the right side of the gun. Go to put it in a rifle rack and it often smacks the left handguard of the rifle next to it, especially with the projection of the triangle forends.

Yes, I have forsthamd experience with this.

Sven
Manticore Arms

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While I do not discredit what you're saying, the green handguards we're talking about were only found on the 601, which did not have a forward assist.

Posted: 8/14/2017 9:35:10 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:

While I do not discredit what you're saying, the green handguards we're talking about were only found on the 601, which did not have a forward assist.

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I've seen some 601s with forward assists in the left side

(prototype f/a's)

Posted: 8/14/2017 10:21:26 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

I've seen some 601s with forward assists in the left side

(prototype f/a's)

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Were they 601's or XM16E1's? My guess is the later.

Posted: 8/15/2017 6:13:42 AM EDT

[#9]

The first forward assist tool room prototype was a 601 upper with a section on the left side cut out and a left handed forward assist welded in. I believe this was what he was joking about.

Posted: 8/15/2017 6:48:44 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
The first forward assist tool room prototype was a 601 upper with a section on the left side cut out and a left handed forward assist welded in. I believe this was what he was joking about.

View Quote

Yes.

Back on topic, I wish my 601 build had a set of original handguards but that's a bridge too far at this point

Posted: 8/15/2017 10:54:35 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

Yes.

Back on topic, I wish my 601 build had a set of original handguards but that's a bridge too far at this point

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I always question if the current prices for original will hold up. If building a 100% original I guess you don't have much choice but to pay the price. Most of the ones that have been for sale lately are damaged. I have quite a bit invested in my brown set.

Posted: 8/15/2017 9:29:17 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

I always question if the current prices for original will hold up. If building a 100% original I guess you don't have much choice but to pay the price. Most of the ones that have been for sale lately are damaged. I have quite a bit invested in my brown set.

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I started acquiring parts for my 601 build only about 6 months ago and have definitely felt the pain with the prices. But I think that prices will continue to surprise us as time goes on and I have no intention of selling my rifles so that's how I justify it.

They may fluctuate but I think the trend overall will continue to go up.

.

Posted: 8/15/2017 10:17:48 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

I started acquiring parts for my 601 build only about 6 months ago and have definitely felt the pain with the prices. But I think that prices will continue to surprise us as time goes on and I have no intention of selling my rifles so that's how I justify it.

They may fluctuate but I think the trend overall will continue to go up.

.

View Quote

I have sold a few sets over the years and they are continuing to go up! Buy them when you can, damaged or not, because you might not be able to find them later. It is getting harder and harder to find a set of greens.

Posted: 8/19/2017 2:19:25 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
The general ARFCOM Retro forum theory was that left side hand guards were replaced more often in service as the rifles were always laid down on the left side at the range and the left hand guard was more susceptible to damage. (The reason for this practice is so range safety officers could easily verify that the bolt was locked to the rear and the rifle was unloaded between stages and before people left the range.)

I'm more inclined to believe that there are crates of them stored in secret government warehouses.

http://codelikethis.com/lessons/learn_to_code/warehouse.jpg

View Quote

Exactly, in Warehouse 13.

Posted: 8/19/2017 2:31:30 PM EDT

[#15]

I was browsing a government auction sight years ago and I saw a crate of left M16 hand guards for sale. Huge crate, maybe six by six. This was before retro was big thing.

Posted: 8/19/2017 11:33:08 PM EDT

[#16]

I was LUCKY enough to post something like this and a member responded to me So I could complete my BFPU 601. Now it wasnt cheap mind you but.... It turned out great as did my XM16 and 605. Very proud of these rebuilds and the amount of original parts in them all. They took several years of scouring the web to source parts. Good luck with your quest for the grail, mine is over.

Posted: 8/22/2017 11:11:56 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
I was LUCKY enough to post something like this and a member responded to me So I could complete my BFPU 601. Now it wasnt cheap mind you but.... It turned out great as did my XM16 and 605. Very proud of these rebuilds and the amount of original parts in them all. They took several years of scouring the web to source parts. Good luck with your quest for the grail, mine is over.
https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20914650_344014166034796_7121704480366354052_n.jpg?oh=e87b5dbbaa3fd3fd3953aa3b44711b57&oe=5A2156B4

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That is the sexiest 601 ever... Color me Jealous