What Free Float Handguard Do You Run?

[RoninsGrips]

Gents,

I ordered a Tacticool barrel nut today to run a free floated handguard and am now shopping around for one. The only free floated handguard I ran in the past was a Rock Rivers round tube on my RRA Varmint. I am open as to the shape - if I run quad rails I'll add covers.

I would like to use one of the approx 5.5" x 1.493" fake cans/shrouds that go back over the barrel as well so I need to find either either a shorter handguard or one that has a big enough opening for the fake can to go back into it.

Any suggestions on free floated handguards I should look at. BTW, my budget is under $200 just to be up front.

Thank you.

 

[ragingyeti]

If you are going to just cover your rails then I would not get a quad rail. It would just be unnecessarily heavy.

There are a lot of options for under 200. The Troy TRXs and the Samson Evos are really nice, and supposedly light. You can always add rails on them where you need them should you want to add anything on. YHM also makes some nice ones that are usually less expensive.

 

[RoninsGrips]

I will cover some. I may use the top for the BUIS and the bottom for a vertical grip or bipod.

I prefer a heavier rifle to lighter (probably one of the few), so added weight isn't bad. I've liked the look of the ARs with the long rails out near the end. I was thinking of maybe even going with an 11" rail with just a bit of the fake can poking out.

 

[ragingyeti]

Well if you want the weight, just about any quad rail will work for you then. Just pick whatever you like the looks of best!

(I agree, I don't mind a heavy rifle either)

 

[WhoKnew]

I've got a Nordic small diameter tube and like it so far. They make specific rails for it but I used an extra one off a Midwest Industries tube for the front sight.

 

[RoninsGrips]

Thank you guys - I really appreciate it!!

Those are some great looking rifles WhoKnew!!

 

[tacticool22]

I have an Olympic Arms 7 inch hand guard currently
The longer hand guard is a Hogue 12.5 inch. That was also before the sling swivel stud and better grip.

 

[Brett248Vista]

ONLY a Machinist would use parallel blocks to prop up his gun for a photo..... LOL!

 

[shawnr5]

I just picked up a VLTOR CASV-ELG this morning. I have to paint it black before I can use it and order a low mount for my strikefire before it will be complete. I'll paint it tomorrow after the scout activity in the morning and stop by sportsman's warehouse to see if they have a low mount.

I had to Dremel two of the notches on the top of the receiver to mount the CASV-EL, but I'm okay with that.

 

[Rainier_Ari]

Rainier Arms Evo 12"

 

[photoracer]

I also use the Nordic 1.62" small modular free float handguard on my competition AR15-22. I find that the longer handguard grabbed down near the end makes for a really fast secure transition in Steel Challenge or Ruger Rimfire Challenge events. Also the heavier alloy handguard makes the barrel rock solid when shooting fast strings as it gives no muzzle lift at all.

 

[RoninsGrips]

Great info guys!

I don't know either Ranier or Nordic and will check them out.

I'm leaning towards 11-13" rails. Samson and Troy are the two leaders but I haven't settled on one yet by any means. From a weight perspective, I am leaning more towards quad rails and away from the lightweight models.

 

[Breechloader]

I use the stock rail with the cap removed so the barrel is free floating.

 

[Incredible Me]

I just picked up a VLTOR CASV-ELG this morning. I have to paint it black before I can use it and order a low mount for my strikefire before it will be complete. I'll paint it tomorrow after the scout activity in the morning and stop by sportsman's warehouse to see if they have a low mount.

I had to Dremel two of the notches on the top of the receiver to mount the CASV-EL, but I'm okay with that.

PLEASE!!! post pictures, love that handguard and would like to see it on a 15-22

 

[RoninsGrips]

I ordered a Samson Evolution today. It came down to them and Troy. Only the Evolution would clear the fake can I want to use so it narrowed down to them. Both groups had very good tech support to answer my questions.

 

[sethgtt]

hey guys. im kinda new to the whole ar style rifle scene. but I just bought an mp 10, so ive been trying to figure out what the best handguard would be, free float that is. ive learned a lot so far but I am really curious as to what length is the "best". Do you have to change the gas block configuration when you install ANY handguard? or only if the new one interferes with fitment or is a different length than the OE? and what is the "stock" length? meaning, what length handguard would I have to get to NOT have to change the gas block, provided it had ample clearance? and whats up with this keymod stuff?

 

[Moon-Man]

There's a lot of keymod accessory support these days. I adopted th BCM KMR and could not be any happier. Super light but really sturdy. I run a 13 inch on a Performance Center model 15-22.

If you go with it or are at lease interested. PM me I had to put some elbow grease into the process but it's nothing you couldn't handle. I'll let you know what I did.

 

[tacticool22]

The M&P 10 is a whole other animal from the 15-22 or the M&P 15 even.
The KeyMod is the lightest system so far. You can connect some things directly to it without having to have a picatinny adapter.
There is a forum for the M&P 10

 

[Gopher Slayer]

Rainier Arms Evo 12"

I know it's from 2012, but nice 15-22. I don't remember seeing this one at all. Mine looks very similar.

 

[sethgtt]

thanks for all of the input. im slowly getting an understanding of all of this, however, ive been hearing some poor reviews on the keymod, guys talking about it walking loose due to recoil. A lot of guys have also recommended the mlock system and they say that it doesn't have that problem. I think ill check it out also. The first thing I need to do is get a scope for it, since it has no sights whatsoever. I usually run Nikon optics on my hunting rifles, never really had the need for a super high dollar optic, not to say I don't want one tho. ive been seeing and hearing a lot about Vortex scopes. I went to the knob creek machine gun shoot in Ky yesterday and looked at a couple and I was really surprised at the price, they seemed super heavy tho. just wonder if anybody has one and would you buy another one? or would a Nikon or Burris still be a decent choice?