I'm contemplating making a super light MP15-22. I hate rails, and prefer a tubular style, so if I can convert mines and save a little weight in the process then that would be awesome. Does anyone have weights on the factory handguards? No guesses please, just because the factory ones are plastic. There are metal handguards nowadays that are lighter than their polymer cousins.

I was just thinking about the same thing.

Was looking over the OEM handguard wondering if I could shave off the rails. It wouldn't work the way the handguard is molded.

Well, S&W hasn't really done anything with the 15-22 except finishes, why not come out with a new poly handguard and instead of rails at 3, 6 and 9 O'clock, use the new Magpul "M-Lok" slots. Call it the "M&P 15-22 M-Lok" or something.....

Just dreaming......

I have one at home I bought as a spare in preparation for cutting mine down. I'll be back Thursday night and can weigh it if nobody else gets you the info by then.

I'm sure there are some composite, or metal, or carbon fiber handguards out there that are lighter than the OEM piece.

Factory 10" handguard with endcap is 8.4 ounces. Factory barrel nut is .95 ounces.

Tacticool22 barrel nut adapter is .4 ounces.

Lightest handguard I've seen recently is the Midwest Industries Gen2 SS series. the 7" is 7.1 ounces including the MI barrel nut. Would be 7.5 ounces with the Tacticool adapter.

Awesome. Thank you! Taccom has a handguard specifically for .22's that is under 6 ounces: ULW HAND GUARD

Clark AR-15 Carbon Fiber Handguard - Lightest available

9" rail is 5oz including barrel nut
12-5/8" is 6oz w/ nut

The lightest metal tubular rail available is the BCM KMR.

KeyMod BCM KMR

Tons of threads/reviews out there about this rail.

Lightest is definitely going to be a carbon fiber one. But they are not cheap. Taccom and AP Custom are the cheapest that I have seen. And don't always believe the published weights either, metal or carbon fiber.
When picking a handguard how you are going to use it is as important as the weight. If you plan on using your 15-22 in steel competition you want to set it up like a 3-gun rifle so you can use that type of hold on the rifle. That requires a long handguard, usually in the 12" to 15" range. If you plan to use it as a practice rifle for AR training you may want a short M4 carbine type 7" handguard. If you want it just to change the looks it is up to what you want.

Check out the Strike Industries Key Mod rail.



Key-Mod Handguard Rail 11" / 12" / 12.5" / 15 - Handguard - AR - RIFLE ACCESSORIES

12.5 inch rail is only 8ozs and much less expensive.

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Molon Labe!

I am not a big fan of any of the CF handguards that require some kind of glue to mount them on the barrel nut (like this one). For a 15-22 used in competition the best is the Taccom which is only about 1.8" in diameter and designed for a dedicated tactical .22 or AR 22 conversion. Something with no gas tube. And in fact the Taccom is the absolute lightest as the 13.5" Taccom weighs in at less than 6 oz. The Taccom is also the cheapest at $89 also.