A.R.M.S. handguards.

[MCASSgt New River]

Can anyone tell me if they have a S.I.R. M4 A2 hand guard, pro/con's and how they personally feel about it. I'm considering one for my next build up project.

Plus any gun porn would help out GREATLY!!

Thanks to all that help!!

[RD62]

I have a #58 if that's of any help to you. The rail works fine, but will be replaced by a DD soon enough. The DD is way lighter.

The older style SIR like mine does give my EOTech a lower 1/3 cowitness when on the front section of the handguard. The OEM sling swivel sucks ass, and while I liked the modularity of the rails when I got it, I now find it pretty useless.

The included rail sections have a profile that precludes mounting some accessories, thus I had to buy a TD made rail to mount my TD VFG without mod to the grip. And the shorter sections of rail piss me off. They are keyed so as to only be used in certain orientations, and because of their short length they don't allow me to run my light as far forward or my sling as far rearward on the handguard as I would like.

I'll probably unload them on an airsofter on EBay before long.

They did make it through an EAG Carbine class without falling apart or coming loose though! And they were the cat's ass when I got em.


-RD62

[KevinB]

As much as I hate dumping on Dick Swan and Co. :D

The SIR sucks ass...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/EvilKev/Weapons/SIRParts.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v193/EvilKev/Pics008.jpg

I had about 6 at different periods -- I broke a number -- and I think I set a record for breaking early versions at SHOT one year (unintentionally BTW)

We took two on ex in the cold and the inserts for the screws fell out of the polymer -- ARMS replaced that issue -- but several other issues (heavy and awkward amongst them) lead me to pass them by.

[Cold Zero]

I found the #50 to have too many screws that came loose, too big, too clunky, too heavy. They did have good customer service. Not that you want to use it.

You would be better served with with a LARue or D.D..

[hellbound]

ARMS SIR #45MV

+ looks cool
+ easy to install
+ free float
+ monolithic rail
+ works well with pinned flashhider setups

- HEAVY
- bulky
- expensive
- plastic bottom piece
- incompatible with some rail mounted accessories (like TD VFGs)
- HEAVY

to answer some of the pros though, i've found that the only rail system i've ever used that was "tough" (i use that term lightly)
was a DD Lite rail simply b/c it required a special wrench and about 2 extra minutes to get it over the low profile gas block.

back when the SIR first debuted, free float had a "WOW" factor to it. now everyone offers a free float version.

monolithic looks cool, but a cantilever mount puts my CCO right where it was anyway while keeping the weight down and allowing me to still use an EOtech.

for pinned FH setups, there are other options now, my top choice would be the DD Omega rail for two piece free floats.


Here is a picture of my Colt MT6400C...
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee119/sincity425/AR15/M4_4_800.jpg

[SMGLee]

Kevin B has it right on the SIR, and I agree with most of the comments posted.

But I have been trying the new SIR #58CV-MOD, this new rail is pretty light, not as light as the DD lite rail but on par to the competitor standard.

it mounts without the rail on rail application which I dislike so much about the original

the screws holding the rail on to the plastic lower handguards seem has been pretty sturdy. I actually broke a SureFire Scout pivot mount that was mounted on the SIR rail with any damage to the SIR rail. the rod that the Scout light pivoted on gived away when I try to lean against the edge of a wall while trying to make a shot down the hallway when I got slam by an instructor that was hidding in thge closet that i did not see. the force push the light snap the pivot rod. no damage to the SIR.

I know I am going to get some heat for saying positive things about ARMs, but for what it is worth as a civilian enthustiast that trains a lot, this new SIR rail has been a functional unit in my opinion.

[Failure2Stop]

There are too many excellent options today to waste time on the past.
But that's just me.

[MCASSgt New River]

Thanks to all that have responded!!

I'm almost set on the one that mounts to the standard A2 upper. My buddy has one that he would sell to me for $300, it looks like it is new and I know for a fact that his M4 is more a closet (no safe for him) queen then a shooter.

Does this sound like a good deal?

[SMGLee]

If you want a rail handguard for your A2 upper carbine. I would suggest the following....

Troy or Samson carbine rail sfystem, you just have to remove the delta ring and mount the hanguard to the barrel nut which you can do very quickly using a dremel.

KAC, midwest indutries, or Surefire two piece rail handguard, those clip on your gun much like the standard M4 plastic handguard. not free float, but will let you attach the accessories.

any af those choices are going to be cheaper than the 300.00 you woud be aying for an used SIR.

[RD62]

Thanks to all that have responded!!

I'm almost set on the one that mounts to the standard A2 upper. My buddy has one that he would sell to me for $300, it looks like it is new and I know for a fact that his M4 is more a closet (no safe for him) queen then a shooter.

Does this sound like a good deal?

$300 for a used SIR! PASS!!!!



-RD62

[Gunfighter13]

Thanks to all that have responded!!

I'm almost set on the one that mounts to the standard A2 upper. My buddy has one that he would sell to me for $300, it looks like it is new and I know for a fact that his M4 is more a closet (no safe for him) queen then a shooter.

Does this sound like a good deal?

NO

You can get a 7" LaRue installed for $300.00

[Paulinski]

I would never install any of their rails (Arms ;) )

DD, LaRue or Knight Armament for me. :cool:

[Cold Zero]

Why would a $300 used SIR be better than a new D.D., or LaRue Rail for the same money? Forget about the SIR.