lets talk handguard length...

[ccarrier]

im putting together my upper parts at the moment and now im stuck on the handguard.

the barrel i have its 16 inch carbine length

i put a low pro gas block on it

i want a rail long enough to cover the gas block

what are your thoughts?


http://i47.tinypic.com/2dh7iv4.jpg





also does the picture look correct for car length? im needing to buy the gas tube as well.

[Iraqgunz]

1. A Samson Evolution or similar from Rainier Arms would be good. I tested a Sionics carbine with a 16" barrel and 15" rail and I liked the way it handled.

2. The distance to the gas port should be around 7.5" inches or so if I recall. Where did you buy the barrel? Did they tell you it was a carbine or mid length?

[ccarrier]

i got it from a local gun store.
they told me it was a carbine. i also looked up the model number and it comes up as a "200 Moly CAR"

[AKDoug]

Rock River carbine gas barrel.

[ccarrier]

correct

[AKDoug]

Now what? How long of a handguard do you want? Any 9" will cover that gasblock. I like a minimum of 12" handguard because it positions my hand right behind my light and my thumb behind my rail mounted DD fixed front sight. I've been eyeballing the Rainier/Samson rail for a couple weeks for a potential low budget build. The price certainly seems right.

[SMETNA]

I have a 15" Troy Alpha on a 16" carbine, and to be honest, if I did it over again I'd choose a 13" instead.

[Clint]

Much of your choice is personal preference.

I find a rifle length ~12" tube is plenty.

[Sticks]

Your shooting style will dictate the length you need, unless you simply want to cover the gas block for aesthetic reasons.

Just pick a quality free float rail/tube.

[RMiller]

I would agree, go somewhere between 9 and 13.

You'd be happier with a tube style foregrip vs quad.

I personally like a few:

http://troyind.com/%20/rail-systemsaccessories/rails/ar15m16-rails/free-float-rails/troy-alpha-rail%c2%ae-9%e2%80%b3-no-sight

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2964


http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/browse&category=railedforearms_danieldefense_mfr

Just a few I was looking into before I just decided to roll with a Delta ring setup with magpul MOE handguards.

[Krusty783]

The Rainier forearms are great options.

You could also buy MI, YHM, or Magpul handguards if you want something lighter/more adapted to hands. Most of these handguards also allow you to mount rail sections for whatever.

I like the look of quad rails and have a larue 11" rail waiting to replace my MI T-12 rail on a 16" mid.
(FYI: I will be looking to sell my MI rail in within a week or so. I expect all the parts to arrive by friday.)

However, I do like VTAC handguards. If I ever build another AR, I will try to get my hands on a VTAC JP handguard. http://www.vikingtactics.com/rifleacc_jphandguard.html

A jphg 5m rail would cover your gas block and you could buy rail sections if you want/need them.

-Damn, these VTAC things are expensive, but you might be able to find a better price somewhere else.:blink:

[lifebreath]

You'd be happier with a tube style foregrip vs quad.


How exactly did you determine what he would prefer??? I've got both and prefer the bulkier, squarish feel of the quad. Personal preference.

Regarding length, I have no use for more than 13". I'd only go out that far if I wanted to mount a light, since I've tried and rejected the hyper-extended left arm Costa stance. And if I mounted a light out that far, I'd need a pressure switch to properly position my support hand where I like it - about mid-way out.

Which brings me to another point. I have a 13" URX 3.1 on my 14.5" KAC SR-15 which is useless to me. I wish it were shorter, but that's what it came with. I say this because the only place to mount a light is at the very end, which it too far from my hand with a remote switch and a little too far out next to the muzzle device. I like to activate a light directly on the rear button switch and I don't like the weight all the way forward.

So, my only real point is think through how you will use the rail and what meets the need. I'd go as short as will meet your requirements. For me, that's 9" on a 14.5" barrel and 11" on a 16" barrel.

Here's what I like with a light (except I removed the pressure switch and changed the light to the other side.) 9" DD Lite on 14.5" upper:

http://www.lincolndiagnostics.com/public/doug/guns/BCM/photo-2s.jpg

These illustrate too long and too short for me. The middle is the 13" on a 14.5" barrel. The others perfect for me with no light, but if I were to mount a light, I'd rather have 2 or 3 more inches.

http://www.lincolndiagnostics.com/public/doug/guns/KAC/L1000798-1.JPG

[El Cid]

I have a 15" handguard on a 16" bbl and love it. Gets the light out further (I have long arms) and a longer sight radius for the irons.

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/MCSPRwGlass4.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz209/El_CidAF_ResQ/KDCourseCropped.jpg

[KrampusArms]

If it were me, I would do like the above poster & slap a 15 incher on a 16 inch barrel. I like the idea of having as much room for your hands, & the longer the sight radius the better. The pseudo SBR look is cool too. My only concern would be adding too much weight to the end.

[lifebreath]

I have a 15" handguard on a 16" bbl and love it. Gets the light out further (I have long arms) and a longer sight radius for the irons.


You do have long arms!

If terrain dictates tactics, intended use dictates configuration. I don't generally like the tubes, but for 3-gun, this 13" VTAC is perfect. First, it's lightweight, which combined with the mid-weight profile of the 16" Noveske stainless barrel helps achieve the right balance. It's long enough to allow versatility for resting on/against a variety of structures, and the streamlined profile feels right for the type of shooting.

Same with the other components. A2 stock, great for this application, not for others. I tried a Magpul PRS and it was just too butt heavy, went back to the A2. 1-6X scope and heavier match barrel are perfect for the more precise shots needed in the application, but not what I'd choose for a close range fighting rifle (although they would work).

http://www.lincolndiagnostics.com/public/doug/guns/3g/3-gun-2.jpg

http://www.lincolndiagnostics.com/public/doug/guns/3g/3g-load.jpg

[TOMTOM]

I think 10"-12" rail on a 16" barrel works out pretty well.

[Stan9106]

I have a 10" Samson Evolution on a 14.5 pinned carbine. It projects 1" past the gas block which, IMHO, looks better than ending dead even with the gas block like a 9" handguard does.

[rackham1]

However, I do like VTAC handguards. If I ever build another AR, I will try to get my hands on a VTAC JP handguard. http://www.vikingtactics.com/rifleacc_jphandguard.html

Look up the install directions before you do this. I put a JP/VTAC on my first "build" and thought it was great until I wanted to take the upper apart to make some changes. The nut-thing that the tube screws into (they call it the collar, iirc) is supposed to be red loctited to the receiver threads. Now I know first hand that i don't want this ass pain again. If I wanted another tube-style HG then I'd go for the Troy version since I understand it locks to the standard barrel nut.

[ASH556]

I had a DD Lite 14.0 rail on my 16" gun and changed it out for the M4A1 RIS II (12"). I just felt like the 14" was overkill. I feel like the 12" handles better.

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab104/ASH556/IMG_7931.jpg
http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab104/ASH556/IMG_9873.jpg

[El Cid]

The other reason I forgot to mention (and was touched on above) is shooting off barricades/cover. With the longer handguard there is less chance of resting the bbl and ending up with a different POI than what you are zeroed for.

[Sticks]

The other reason I forgot to mention (and was touched on above) is shooting off barricades/cover. With the longer handguard there is less chance of resting the bbl and ending up with a different POI than what you are zeroed for.

That can still be done with a 15" handguard on a 16" bbl. The POI shift is liable to be worse since you have more leverage on the front of the bbl than if you did it with a 7" handguard.

[wahoo95]

10-13" is ideal and versatile. Stick with lightweight designs to offset the weight of that barrel.

[MegademiC]

I went with a kac urxiii. I wont use many rails, and it has them where I need them, and no where else. Its light. It has a built in front sight - from what I've read its not the best, but its just a backup for my uses. Its about 12" long. I havnt shot it yet(waiting on barrel), but after using a carbine handguard for years I found myself cramped. Midlength was better but still not quite long enough. A light will take some usefull length off it so it should be just right. I actually used gloves and grabbed the barrel a couple times to decide that a 12" should fit my needs very well.

Just sharing my process - hopefully it can help you. Of course, as stated, your style and purposes may dictate a different setup.

[midSCarolina]

Length looks good... I think that has been established.

Anyways, I prefer "mid length" rails. 9-10" is my preference. I personally ran the MK18 length DD RIS II on my 14.5" and thought it looked really good. Sold it to one of my friends because I have been using my LMT MRP CQB lenth which is about a 9" rail. The KAC URX is a good length for a 16" IMO but I just couldn't go with a 12" rail. There is no way I needed all of that rail space and besides the fact that it adds weight, I don't think it does much for aesthetics.

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k558/thornejc23/IMG_2360.jpg

[calico]

i believe mine is 11" on a 16" HBAR. i also hunt with the rifle and needed something longer than carbine length to rest on shooting sticks. i didn't go quad rail as i like the KISS philosophy. they do have attachments if you do want to mount something. as seen on the front of the rail. i mount a flashlight for night hunting.

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv211/mxuanl/Armory/DSC02196.jpg