Just bought a MP15 Sport 2, which is my first AR and it's a great starter rifle as is, with the exception of the cheap plastic handguard.

What's the general consensus of owners on what aftermarket handguard is a good bet? I want one that will just drop in without modifications, but that provides a little more protection from heat.

I chose the Midwest Industries drop in handguard. I really like it.


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Without a doubt, one of THE best 'drop-in' rails would be one of the 'Omega' rails from Daniel Defense. Requires no modification to the rifle and come in either KeyMod, M-Lok, or Picatinny. Well worth the couple hundred dollars for one.

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Only you can decide what is "best" for you. If you intend to attach a bunch of stuff to your rifle, maybe you would want to look into the Omega rails. If you want to have heat shields and a way to attach a light and sling, the Magpul slimline handguard works well for around $30.

Thanks for the tips. Didn't know if there was a particular brand or model that worked better, but starting to find that there are a bunch of them and they're pretty much modular.

BTW...assuming that the MP15 Sport II uses the "carbine length" handguard?

The Midwest Industries locks up really tight! It’s nice!


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Correct.


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I went with the slimline Magpul for my optics ready version. I think you would have to go with the shortest version if yours has the large A style front sight. If you have an optics model, you can do the mid length. Its tight but it works and covers the gas block well, but the top rail on the block is still usable.

How are you able to get the front part of the handguard to lock into the handguard cap up by the gas block? The distance between that cap and the delta ring are the same, no matter if you have the fixed front sight or the railed gas block. Both would require the carbine length handguard.

The massively railed handguards are hard on the hands. The only ones I've ever seen that were shaped for human hands are/were the ones on the Ruger piston driven gun. Can't recall who makes them, but they aren't cheap.

Mag-Pul makes really good handguards at a reasonable price. They also make rail sections you can bolt on if, when and where you might want them.

Yeah, I mislead on my post with me saying midlength about this. Sorry about that. When I said mid length, I meant the medium length version of the slim line.




The version below slips around the optics ready gas block and it may work with the normal front sight as well, but someone else will have to confirm that.




Apparently it will. Here is a photo of it.




short version







MOE SL(R) Hand Guard, Carbine-Length – AR15/M4

You are comparing two different product lines. The "short" one is the MOE M-LOK... The "long" one is the MOE SL. That one extends past the gas block, but requires you to remove the sling swivel if you have the fixed front sight. Both are available in
carbine length, which is the length needed for the Sport 2 with front sight or ORC.

I have the carbine-length MOE handguard on my Sport II. I just like the feel in my hands; reminiscent of the M16A1 or FAL handguards. I keep looking at others, but just can't make myself go with a different handguard, even briefly.

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I had a Knights Armament handguard that cost a couple hundred bucks and I've had some cheap metal ones(don't remember the names) and honestly can't tell the difference, they all work good. I do prefer the shorter and slimmer handguards for handling and less weight but the longer handguards might be nice for a longer sight radius. The metal hand guards are free floating and should be the most accurate but the plastic composition Magpul type hand guards are lighter and probably still plenty Accurate.

Your expected uses are a factor. If you plan to add numerous (and possibly heavy) attachments,a solid quad rail will be desirable. For folks who forsee a light at most, the lighter, less expensive options should do.
If you're about style and appearance, the sky's the limit! With the AR, you can change furniture daily to suit your mood and coordinate with your wardrobe!!

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I don't like plastic.



AR15 Wood Stock Sets Home

WOW! That's nice! Gives new meaning to 'I got wood for my AR'...

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Thanks everyone. Exactly what I was looking for and needed.

So my sport II doesn't have the front sight, just a rail on gas block. Which magpul handguard would be best?

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If it came with GI-style round handguards, a Magpul handguard of the same length should snap right on. The exact style is a personal choice. They are fairly inexpensive, so you can switch out as desired.

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So would the mlok be better than the SL since I don't have a stock front sight post?

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Either one will fit your rifle. Better how? Better looking? With the ORC, I would go with the SL. The top piece should run up to your railed gas block and the bottom will extend further under it. Hammerhead stated above he has that one on his ORC, so the extended piece will fit under the railed block.

Thank you. I meant "better" as in do they both work or should the M-Lok be used because I don't have the sloped front sight which I assume is notched for the standard front sight.

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Magpul MOE SL.

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I like the longer grip of the slimline. And with a sling attachment or M-lock further back or closer to center, it stays out of the way of your hand.

Thanks everyone. After padding a wrench and some sweating I got the original guard off and installed the new. This handguard feels better amd more robust and easier to hold than the cylindrical one I removed.

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The magpul website says the SL is to be used with the A2 front sight which is why I didn't go with it. Thst does look sharp though.

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Thanks. I have heard some front flip sights may or may not work with the SL model. May be a good thing you went with

the shorter version.

Totally disagree. The KAC RAS is the best drop in rail made IMO. Rock solid, military approved, it’s the best money can buy.

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Another vote for Magpul. Reasonably priced, easy to add rails, looks good too.

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Yep. Only the rail you need, and it feels good, too!

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I have a regular not mk.II. I wanted heat shields so got a pair of
the fatter Colt handguards with the heatshields. But I like the
slimmer profile a bit better. I am not sure of the necessity of heat
guards in a semi auto range rifle. I saw the video where some guy
put a full auto lower on a Smith and melted the handguards on fire,
during very abusive constant auto fire. I would think that maybe some
kind of metallic coating or shiny metallic paint inside these to reflect the heat
could work to some extent, if not as well as floating metal guards?

For slow fire, the handguards that come on the Sport 2 are fine. If you think you may want to pick up the pace, slim handguards with a single heat shields are available. I picked up a set at a local gun store, and they are the same diameter as the OEM handguards. GI-style handguards are fatter because they have two shields in them.
The heat shield in my black MOE handguards were also painted black, to my surprise, but they work rather well.
I keep thinking about painting the inside of my Kel-Tec SU16 handguard silver, to see if that will help keep the handguard cooler.

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