Harrington & Richardson has added another retro service rifle to its lineup with the H&R 605, a 5.56 NATO build that recreates one of the earliest attempts at turning the M16 into a carbine. The rifle carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,199.99 and, according to the company, is hand fitted and assembled in the United States.
The original Model 605 was an experimental step in the development of the M16 platform, a shortened variant fielded before the better-known XM177 and CAR-15 carbines took shape. H&R's reproduction leans into that history. It uses the "shaved" 605-style upper receiver finished in a black Type 3 hard coat anodizing, paired with M16A1 triangular handguards complete with heat shields.
At the heart of the rifle is a 15.3-inch pencil-profile barrel made from 4150 chrome moly vanadium steel. The barrel is parkerized, chrome lined, and cut with a 1/7 twist, and it rides on a carbine-length gas system with a low-profile gas block tucked under a .625-inch rifle-height front sight base. The muzzle is threaded 1/2x28 and wears a three-prong flash hider. That flash hider is pinned and welded in place, pushing the effective barrel length past the 16-inch mark so the rifle ships as a standard long gun rather than a short-barreled rifle.
The rest of the build follows the period-correct theme. Both receivers are forged 7075-T6, the upper is the shaved 605 pattern without feed ramps, and the lower is a partial-fence design carrying M16 markings. Inside, the bolt is Carpenter 158 steel with a chrome finish, and the bolt carrier uses a full-auto profile with no serrations, also chromed. The barrel extension is M4 spec. As configured, the rifle measures 35 inches overall and weighs in at 6 pounds.
The video below walks through the rifle in detail.
The H&R 605 is listed at $1,199.99 through Palmetto State Armory, which is handling sales of the brand's retro rifles and offers Sezzle financing on the listing. Shoppers there also earn reward points on the purchase.
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