Companies that get a contract to provide "x" product can fulfill that order by using whatever subcontractors they wish. The contracts usually have language indicating a % number of how many foreign parts can be included. Usually it is zero, but sometimes with higher end stuff like carbon fiber airplane components they have to outsource but it is usually discussed prior to the contract being finalized and includded in the language. So there are many many many "parts makers" out there that were under contract with colt or whomever holds the current contract to supply the military with M16's and M4's that absolutely know the military specifications for whatever part they were making. Stuff like the M16 specs have been out for years. And with the advent of laser measuring devices for reverse manufacturing, the parts can be copied exactly or within however many thousands they will tolerate.
I have only seen bent charging handles when I was working in an armory cleaning M16's as an additional duty for remedial training purposes
I don't know how they were bent, but a lot of trainees were using them, so I am guessing it was from them repeatedly pulling to the side or pulling up on the charging handle. I know my fingers get sore from pulling back on a standard charging handle repeatedly. My gunfighter handles never leave me with sore fingers even when using the side of my left index finger only. If you don't like your gunfighter handle put it up for sale, someone will take it for close to what you paid. I bought a lightly used one for $44 bucks from one of my buddies, no tax, no shipping! He paid 44.95 it shipped with a bunch of other stuff he still has and I doubt it affected the cost much. So he lost .95 trying it out. He is a lefty so he wanted an ambi-handle.
