technical question on the colt side swivel mount

[ssimo]

Hi, i am going to install the original colt (yes, i know it's not actually produced by Colt) side swivel mount on my coltLE 6921 for a build. One of the pieces of the side swivel mount is a bar with 2 holes for rollpins, right? this bar has a number (12991254) on one side and another shorter number on the opposite side. Do you know which one of these two sides should be oriented towards the front of the rifle, considering that i will mount the swivel on the left side of the rifle with the swivel folding towards the fron of the rifle (as the M4 manual says)? in other words, should the 12991254 marked side of the bar with pin holes be oriented towards the muzzle or toward the handguard? Below you can find an explainatory picture. Sorry for the bad english, this is not my native language. Greetings from Italy.

thank you very much

[Leonardo]

Dimensionally the bar is the same, side to side. Personally, I’ve always installed with part number aft, toward the receiver

[ssimo]

Dimensionally the bar is the same, side to side. Personally, I’ve always installed with part number aft, toward the receiver

thanks leonardo. Are you some kind of armourer? By the way, what does aft means?
However you have an italian first name, are you italian?

[Leonardo]

Rearward
Have the stamped part number facing to the rear

[ssimo]

Rearward
Have the stamped part number facing to the rear

thanks. when you guys say "part number" are tou referring to the 12991254 side or to the other one with the shorter number? by the way this forum is incredible, so much informations, you guys are great! How do you know which side goes rearward? have you any experience as a military armourer or something like that?

[Leonardo]

Not an armorer.
Built my share of rifles, been shooting the M16/AR for 35 years
There is no wrong way to install the block, I have just placed the drawing number, the one you wrote to the rear

[1168]

Number is aft on a US Army FN M4a1. Sample of one. I can’t confirm right now if its the same on a Colt M4a1. You might be able to do a Google Image search. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some that are “backwards” in the Mil. I doubt it matters in any way.

[ssimo]

Number is aft on a US Army FN M4a1. Sample of one. I can’t confirm right now if its the same on a Colt M4a1. You might be able to do a Google Image search. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some that are “backwards” in the Mil. I doubt it matters in any way.

Thank you! i appreciate very much. I agree it certainly isn't an important detail dor the build, i have many parts on the rifle that are not even issue or used by the military (random sling, qrp3 aimpoint mount, o light flashlight). I am not so picky for clone correctness but i have learned to be patient and, if there is time, to inform myself on any detail before doing somehing to my firearms. installing that mount is quite a PITA. i know myself and i know that if i go into a gunshop and i notice that the mount is backwards on my rifle, i'd have the temptation to reinstall it. Since i have plenty of time now, i am doing a bit of research before moving on. I'm sure the rifle won't walk away in the meantime! Plus it is always an occasion to talk with some folks here on the forum

Anyway, is the FN M4A1 your issued rifle? In this case, if you are in a shitty place, stay safe.

[Dukr]

I have a Colt M4A1 SOCOM. Built by Colt. The part number faces the rear on it.

[ssimo]

I have a Colt M4A1 SOCOM. Built by Colt. The part number faces the rear on it.

thanks for the answer! the swivel of your rifle folds toward the muzzle or toward the handguard? in the first case it seems that also at the factory there is no a right way to mount the bar (which makes sense since it is symmetrical)