View Full Version : What is your preferred 12" to 15" handguard?
I see that Samson makes one:
http://www.samson-mfg.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/Samson_Evolution_Series_12.jpg
Midwest Industries makes a solid looking guard:
http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/skus/p_100009744_2.jpg
What would you choose for your 16" barreled AR-15?
Obviously there's many more models than the two I listed. Please chime in with your favorite long handguard. I want to buy right the first time.
Thanks in advance guys.
The Noveske NSR is my current rail choice. The main reason is that I find that its configuration best fits my needs. I also like how it interfaces with the barrel nut (providing a more secure lock up than the traditional clamp ones).
C4
The Noveske NSR is my current rail choice. The main reason is that I find that its configuration best fits my needs. I also like how it interfaces with the barrel nut (providing a more secure lock up than the traditional clamp ones).
C4
Thank you for your reply, C4.
That NSR looks solid!
http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/wp-content/blogs.dir/5/files/noveske-nsr-11-rail/IMG_0609-A-1100-MT.jpg
(great cam work, stickman!)
How hot does it get, compared to more "traditional" rails systems such as quads or tubes?
It can get warm. As of now, there are heat shields in the works or the stuff pictured will be out in a few weeks. Or use gloves...
http://noveskerifleworks.com/imimg/nsr-bp_4d.jpg
How hot does it get, compared to more "traditional" rails systems such as quads or tubes?
No idea as I shoot with gloves on. ;)
C4
It can get warm. As of now, there are heat shields in the works or the stuff pictured will be out in a few weeks. Or use gloves...
http://noveskerifleworks.com/imimg/nsr-bp_4d.jpg
Wearing gloves while in the field was one of the best habits I've gotten myself into.
There's a local store here in New England called Job Lot. They have Mechanix gloves for $8.99 and they're the model that has an LED light on each hand:
http://www.atvpt.com/MWGloveLightGlove/2.JPG
Very comfortable gloves.
Wearing gloves while in the field was one of the best habits I've gotten myself into.
BINGO! People wonder why their hands get cut up, burnt, etc. If one is serious about shooting for many hours, you should get into the habit of wearing gloves (with any rail).
C4
CarbonCycles
07-11-12, 09:34
LT Pred rail and OR gloves
https://danieldefense.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/653x205/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/v/7/v7.jpg
I'll cast a vote for the DD 12.0 modular. Well made, handles nice.
BINGO! People wonder why their hands get cut up, burnt, etc. If one is serious about shooting for many hours, you should get into the habit of wearing gloves (with any rail).
C4
I'm a big fan of gloves too. If you don't like the bulky feel of most mechanic gloves, get some $15 batting gloves. They won't last as long, but they will be like and extra layer of thick skin.
Great for AR AND PISTOLS.
The Troy Alpha rail is my favorite at this time.
superr.stu
07-11-12, 10:45
DD mfr is hands down my favorite...though the NSR has piqued my interest i can't see it making its way onto any current guns, though maybe on a future build.
fallenromeo
07-11-12, 10:55
Troy alpha or Noveske NSR for tubular rails. Fav 12" quad is the Centurion C4, hands down.
The Troy Alpha rail is my favorite at this time.
I too like the Troy Alpha.
There's a 15% sale for their online store as well which brings the price down to $170ish. (PM me if you want the discount code)
I also like the fact that the Troy Alpha works with the standard barrel nut and comes with a few rail sections.
http://troyind.com/wp-content/uploads/Troy-BattleRail-Alpha-Rail-18.jpg
BINGO! People wonder why their hands get cut up, burnt, etc. If one is serious about shooting for many hours, you should get into the habit of wearing gloves (with any rail).
C4
I avoided gloves as I likely would not have them in my anticipated HD situation. However I am going to allow a little flexibility in the "train like you will fight" in order to train harder.
I avoided gloves as I likely would not have them in my anticipated HD situation. However I am going to allow a little flexibility in the "train like you will fight" in order to train harder.
First, lets cover the fact that if you can shoot well WITH gloves on (which is harder), then shooting without them is a walk in the park. So the "train as you fight" theory really doesn't hold water here.
Secondly, a HD situation is going to involve no more than 30rds (more like 5). Your rail is not going to get so hot that you won't be able to hold onto it.
C4
justin_247
07-11-12, 11:59
I too like the Troy Alpha.
There's a 15% sale for their online store as well which brings the price down to $170ish. (PM me if you want the discount code)
I also like the fact that the Troy Alpha works with the standard barrel nut and comes with a few rail sections.
http://troyind.com/wp-content/uploads/Troy-BattleRail-Alpha-Rail-18.jpg
Great handguard! You'd be hard pressed to find a better tubular rail that interfaces with the standard barrel nut - the closest otherwise is probably the APEX handguard.
Troy/VTAC Alpha, Noveske NSR, and DD MFR are all solid.
That being said, the Samson one is also quite nice. I was impressed with the one that I held. I have no experience with the MI one.
First, lets cover the fact that if you can shoot well WITH gloves on (which is harder), then shooting without them is a walk in the park. So the "train as you fight" theory really doesn't hold water here.
Secondly, a HD situation is going to involve no more than 30rds (more like 5). Your rail is not going to get so hot that you won't be able to hold onto it.
C4
Good point. So speaking of gloves, what ones do you like Grant?
First, lets cover the fact that if you can shoot well WITH gloves on (which is harder), then shooting without them is a walk in the park. So the "train as you fight" theory really doesn't hold water here.
Secondly, a HD situation is going to involve no more than 30rds (more like 5). Your rail is not going to get so hot that you won't be able to hold onto it.
C4
Understood and agreed. I am still breaking habits and attitudes developed while an ignorant amateur now that I am a slightly less ignorant amateur.
BrigandTwoFour
07-11-12, 12:28
I just installed a 12" Rainier Arms Evolution on one of my ARs
http://www.rainierarms.com/img/shop/product/a7e04409e46f48f54f545760c93604ff.jpg
it is made by Samson, and it's actually the same rail posted in the OP- the cutouts are just different.
I haven't taken it to the range yet with the new forearm (will get to this weekend), but compared to the Seekins BAR I had on there before, it feels very nice. It is very narrow, comparatively, and feels nice in the hand. It mounts to a clamp that engages the teeth on the nut, feels very secure. The rail came with two modular picatinny rails and and modular QD attachment point.
If you're considering something in the style of the Troy Alpha, I would give this one a lot of consideration. The Centurion C4 seems to be the most popular for a quad rail design, and the Noveske NSR looks to be the future.
I've got a 12" lite on my 14.5 pinned middy DD. I love it but I'd like to try a smooth tube to cut down on weight/snags/diameter. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the proprietary barrel nut on DD's lite rail works with anything other than that rail.
Bizzarolibe
07-11-12, 15:32
Good point. So speaking of gloves, what ones do you like Grant?
I would also like to know this.
fallenromeo
07-11-12, 15:56
^^^^ Me too.
Good point. So speaking of gloves, what ones do you like Grant?
I own several different types of Hatch gloves. Prior to those, I wore Oakley.
For the money though, the Mechanix gloves are hard to beat.
C4
I chose Seekins Precision mainly since the barrel nut is different from the default standard barrel nut.
Geissle Automatics has a new forearm system that has a redesigned barrel nut. Not sure if they have released it or not, but looks to be promising.
I have two 12" Ranier Arms Evolution units, and I like them very much. Installation was super-easy (uses a standard barrel nut) and they seem to lock up rock solid (although I haven't purposely bashed them around to test this). I like the smoother exterior only marginally more than my Troy TRX Extreme. The interior of the RA Evo also has more room than the TRX Extreme, and with the barrel nut the Evo was lighter than the Troy unit. The Ranier Arms units came with one short rail, one long rail, and one QD socket.
Nowadays there are many similar handguards to pick from. I don't think you'd go wrong picking one from any of the major players. If I were in the market for another one, I'd personally look into the MI Gen 2 SS units just because their store is 5 minutes from my house.
I just built up a 16" upper with the new MI Gen2 and I really like it. I too west gloves and have been happy with Speedtec brand I get from Lowes Home Improvement since the Mechanix gloves and most others don't fit my hands well. Hard to beat at $9/pair.
I really can spell, however Tapatalk keeps screwing everything up!
After some range time on the KAC URX 3.1, my next build will be sporting one. I really liked the weight, length and overall feel a lot more than I thought I would. It is a URX so that means its not exactly drop in and ready to roll. You do need a specific URX Barrel Nut Wrench or a gunsmith who has one. From what I remember the wrench did used to cost a pretty penny but I believe they have dropped down a little.
http://i49.tinypic.com/oq93sg.jpg
+1 Rainier's Samson rail. I have an 11" on my SBR and like it plenty, for the cost it's the best bet imo.
-1 for the KAC URX 3... For the $270 or so they want JUST FOR THE TOOL to install it, no. Just no. I will not support such dickery.
+1 for the NSR, although I haven't felt/used one yet. It certainly looks good, and I think the new mounting system has potential.
+1 Rainier's Samson rail. I have an 11" on my SBR and like it plenty, for the cost it's the best bet imo.
-1 for the KAC URX 3... For the $270 or so they want JUST FOR THE TOOL to install it, no. Just no. I will not support such dickery.
+1 for the NSR, although I haven't felt/used one yet. It certainly looks good, and I think the new mounting system has potential.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=103807 ;)
Still I know its more cash on top of your rail unless of course your local gunsmith or friends already have one. Yay for friends.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=103807 ;)
Still I know its more cash on top of your rail unless of course your local gunsmith or friends already have one. Yay for friends.
You're right that is much better. That actually makes it seem "almost" reasonable. I'd prefer not needing a special tool at all like Wilson's TRIM and Noveske's NSR rails.
The Troy Alpha rail is my favorite at this time.
+1 to this
PRI Gen III Delta ;)
http://www.precisionreflex.com/ItemMedia/10026/10026_46505.jpg
M-FOURTEEN
07-13-12, 14:20
Plus one on the Samson...
I like the Troy Alpha although I don't have much experience with any other "long" rails. I had a Larue at one point but it felt too bulky, thus the switch to the Troy Alpha rail.
It does get hot if you do a lot of shooting in a few minutes but for most of my shooting, it is fine.
VIS ;)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7539744108_db14eca283_b.jpg
URX-III/3.1, but I was curious enough about the Noveske NSR that I had to order an upper. Don't think you can go wrong with either.
I like the LaRue, JP VTAC, and the Samson rails. The Samson is surprisingly sturdy and much cheaper than the others. Even my gunsmith was shocked. Very light and keeps heat away very well (shot 5 30rd mags back-to-back full auto, 600 RPM).
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.