B5 Systems Bravo Keymod Handguard [Archive]

skijunkie55

11-25-13, 13:01

http://soldiersystems.net/2013/11/25/2-vets-arms-2va-5-56-bravo-rifle-with-b5-systems-bravo-handguard/

http://soldiersystems.net/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2VA556BRAVO.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1403068_537201439703046_2146313924_o.jpg

B5 Systems’ Bravo Keymod Handguard is currently in production and shipping soon. The hand guard features a built in hand stop and heat shield, with slim profile ergonomics. This is only the second drop-in Keymod handguard to come to market and the first done in polymer.

Good option for a KISS carbine and a good price. $30 MSRP (according to their facebook page)

SilverBullet432

11-25-13, 13:07

no me gusta, sorry.

skijunkie55

11-25-13, 13:09

Not saying anyone needs to love it and go buy it the second it comes out, but just sharing for AR related general discussion :)

Kain

11-25-13, 13:17

Good price point, and I like the concept, and for some who don't need or want a free floated barrel, or who are on the fence about key mod set ups I think it will sell okay. May indeed pick one up myself to try since I myself am not totally sold on the key mod. Will be a cheap way to explore it from a company whose other products I have found to be very well made.

LewP

11-25-13, 13:18

Now *that* is a cool keymod solution.

It looks to be a little slimmer than the magpul furniture. The molded hand stop at the front is nice too.

jerrysimons

11-25-13, 13:48

Neat. Ears with keymod slots that wrapped around the FSB like a cut out rail would be cool. Shoot, that gets me thinking, something like the centurion rifle length carbine cut out would be interesting.

SilverBullet432

11-25-13, 14:42

Not saying anyone needs to love it and go buy it the second it comes out, but just sharing for AR related general discussion :)

Yea i know, just seems to "smooth" to me, but it does match the stock.

filthy phil

11-25-13, 14:54

Ill be in for the carbine version on my 6920
thanks op

^Rb

11-25-13, 15:30

I'll wait for the Magpul equivalent. :)

keller

11-26-13, 09:04

IMO variety is always good thing. KeyMod or not I think the ergonomics is what makes this hand guard. Those that have used and at least handled the hand guard seem to like them. Either way you will be seeing a lot of these on the market as they will be offered as a factory option from several OEM's.

BTL BRN

11-26-13, 09:49

Very clean looking handguard, seems like a great option for a KISS carbine.

BBossman

11-26-13, 11:12

Looks like a great way for someone to play around with keymod and avoid the expense.

dentron

11-26-13, 11:24

I think it looks great and at $30 might as well try it.

dentron

01-07-14, 16:13

Anyone run one of these yet? Any heads up on a mid-length?

Stickman

01-07-14, 17:08

Anyone run one of these yet? Any heads up on a mid-length?

I have one, I have no idea about a midlength.

plouffedaddy

01-07-14, 17:13

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/849/lp6f.png (https://imageshack.com/i/nllp6fp)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/547/y6yt.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f7y6ytj)

Anyone run one of these yet? Any heads up on a mid-length?

I have. It's a pretty slick little setup and, as you said, for $30 it's a great option. Word on the street is the middy's are in the works….

Review will be up soon.

dentron

01-07-14, 17:16

plouffedaddy

01-10-14, 07:02

That's a sweet looking setup! Looking forward to the review.

Review's up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A90-aeILlmo

Will545

01-10-14, 15:16

Nice review plouffedaddy. Is there any reason not to replace my moe handguards with the B5 offering? I've already replaced my moe stock for the B5 systems stock as I liked it better.

plouffedaddy

01-10-14, 16:57

Nice review plouffedaddy. Is there any reason not to replace my moe handguards with the B5 offering? I've already replaced my moe stock for the B5 systems stock as I liked it better.

Ugh. I'm never a fan of advising folks on choosing between two good products. If you like the KeyMod system and prefer a more narrow grip then I suppose no. But, the MOE is a good product too so…..?

But, for $30 it's certainly worth trying out. Then sell whichever you don't like as much for $20 and you're only risking $10. That's how I'd look at it.

Shiz

01-10-14, 18:48

i'll sure try them when they do a middy!!!

How is the weight compared to the MOE carbine length Plouffe?

jb1911

01-11-14, 11:18

Looks cheesy.

doubletap

01-11-14, 17:23

They look like a great low cost option to add a key mod hand guard to my rifle.

Iraqgunz

01-11-14, 17:44

I have a sample as well and it is very slim. I would definitely like to see a version with double heat shields or at least top and bottom. We will be discussing this at SHOT.

plouffedaddy

01-11-14, 19:08

i'll sure try them when they do a middy!!!

How is the weight compared to the MOE carbine length Plouffe?

Lighter than the MOE for sure; I haven't weight the set yet though. The owner is a member here and I'm guessing he'll pop along with the specs on that one of these days.

plouffedaddy

01-11-14, 19:10

I have a sample as well and it is very slim. I would definitely like to see a version with double heat shields or at least top and bottom. We will be discussing this at SHOT.

I thought that too when I first got them but I'm guessing that's why they made the bottom heat guard that sort of wraps around the barrel. A buddy of mine took them yesterday and shot a bunch of suppressed mag dumps though them (he's not the smartest guy :meeting: ) and he said they weren't bad at all though so who knows….

Slimcakes

01-16-14, 11:32

KISS and slim...likey very much.

I'll be purchasing a couple sets, as I'm getting tired of paying high prices for COLT CAR handguards and drilling holes in them.

mike240

01-16-14, 19:29

I like it and would be in for a set of mid and rifle length if they do them. The MOE is way to bulky. I always thought a non tapered round 2" drop in would work. This seems like it has promise.

plouffedaddy

01-16-14, 19:54

I like it and would be in for a set of mid and rifle length if they do them. The MOE is way to bulky. I always thought a non tapered round 2" drop in would work. This seems like it has promise.

They are doing middys. There's some on rifles at SHOT.

mike240

01-16-14, 20:22

Thanks. I didn't see them at all on their site. Know a dealer?

markm

01-17-14, 10:58

no me gusta, sorry.

That gun needs to be returned to the circus.

Iraqgunz

01-17-14, 13:05

We talked about it the other night and we are going to get a middy one to use. He.mentioned the same thing about the wrap of the heat shield. I may try to locate enough parts for a carbine upper to use it and see.

I thought that too when I first got them but I'm guessing that's why they made the bottom heat guard that sort of wraps around the barrel. A buddy of mine took them yesterday and shot a bunch of suppressed mag dumps though them (he's not the smartest guy :meeting: ) and he said they weren't bad at all though so who knows….

dentron

01-23-14, 21:10

I handled one today. It is VERY thin. I like Car handguards but I think this may be too thin for me. It did, however, look and feel like a quality product and I might still pick one up when they come out with the mid-length to run it before I write it off completely.

Christopher

05-22-14, 01:06

Whats the status on the mid-length version? http://www.b5systems.com/products.html Not seeing the carbine or the mid-length listed.

markm

05-22-14, 08:24

Man... I don't remember seeing this hand guard set. I think the side charging gun they put it on was too painful to look at to give the hand guard a fair shake. ;)

jesuvuah

05-22-14, 09:32

I have a carbine and I think it is Meh? at best. I actually scratched my barrel on my upper installing it because the heatsheilds hug the barrel so tight. It is thin which I like, but there is not much room to mount anything with the spacing of the keymod, plus they are only at the 45s. I am going to continue to run it, but I think if you want keymod, save for a few months, and get a KMR or other quality rail.

Slimcakes

05-22-14, 11:18

I actually scratched my barrel on my upper installing it because the heatsheilds hug the barrel so tight

...as do Magpul MOE's. I've replaced my CAR hand guards with the B5's on my COLTs. Their narrow enough for me to fit a piece of bike inner tube over and the feel of them is excellent; wrap your whole paw around them.

If you like simple hand guards that feel good, need only a light and want to service the barrel underneath (spray of lube) without disassembling a rail...they're a great option at their price point.

If you need a DBAL in addition to your light, get a KMR.

RWH24

05-23-14, 13:33

Interesting info from Bill Geissele.....

http://youtu.be/CWuwyveeQ3Q?t=4m45s

Pi3

06-30-14, 14:27

Is it strong enough to handle a sling attachment point or a vfg? I am looking for something a little smaller in diameter than the magpul.

jesuvuah

06-30-14, 16:05

If you got real rough, I think they could break, but I had a sling hooked up to mine with no issues. The VFG is a no go though as they only have the slots on the 45s

TexasAggie2005

07-02-14, 11:10

Those of y'all who run the B5 handguard, how are you mounting a light? I recently picked one up, but it seems like a gamble to find a mount that "might" work on this.

badness

07-05-14, 06:31

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/849/lp6f.png (https://imageshack.com/i/nllp6fp)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/547/y6yt.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f7y6ytj)

I have. It's a pretty slick little setup and, as you said, for $30 it's a great option. Word on the street is the middy's are in the works….

Review will be up soon.

I sure hope their midlength version is compatible with both triangle and round endcaps.

sw1911

07-05-14, 09:06

that's one hideous looking handguard

Abraham

07-05-14, 11:09

BBossman

07-05-14, 11:41

No question, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

I have two on my Colt LE6920's and I think they look very nice, plus they fit my smallish hands far better than the big, clunky Magpul or the standard GI issued handguards.

Not for me, but I've held my buddy's carbine with these handguards and they do feel pretty good, and they are an inexpensive way to play with Keymod.

TexasAggie2005

07-06-14, 16:31

No question, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

I have two on my Colt LE6920's and I think they look very nice, plus they fit my smallish hands far better than the big, clunky Magpul or the standard GI issued handguards.

I agree, looks are subjective, but they work for me.

If anybody is curious like I was, the circumference is significantly smaller than both the MOE & M4 carbine handguards. As measured about halfway between the delta ring and FSB;

B5 = 5-3/4"
MOE = 7-1/2"
M4 = 7-7/8"

ABNAK

07-06-14, 18:31

Is the midlength available yet?

Beaver2334

07-13-14, 16:53

Looks good! Keep up the good work!

Slimcakes

07-18-14, 10:13

Added some 'railscales' to my B5 keymod handguards...man...probably the most ergonomic forend I've felt on any rifle. DD quad rails, Troy, M4 HG, CAR HG, AK's, VZ58's....etc...dang comfortable.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t121/Slimcakes/100_0622_zps4a3b769c.jpg (http://s159.photobucket.com/user/Slimcakes/media/100_0622_zps4a3b769c.jpg.html)

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t121/Slimcakes/100_0621_zps6b5c94be.jpg (http://s159.photobucket.com/user/Slimcakes/media/100_0621_zps6b5c94be.jpg.html)

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t121/Slimcakes/100_0620_zps5dad60b9.jpg (http://s159.photobucket.com/user/Slimcakes/media/100_0620_zps5dad60b9.jpg.html)

Plumber237

07-18-14, 15:59

I bought these for my girlfriend's lightweight rifle, they're perfect for her since she has small hands. They're very light, even with an IWC QD mount and a mini-scout with a Thorntail offset mount.

Dr. Bullseye

07-01-18, 18:01

It has been a few years since these came out. If you have any updates or experience with this handguard, I would greatly appreciate hearing it. I am seriously considering buying one but I am relatively new and so heavily rely on the experience of more experienced guys. I had the carbine skinny mil spec version, then a quad rail, then back to the mil spec. Nothing is going to hang from this handguard so I don't care about keymod considerations. The diameter has me interested. The heat resistant qualities worry me most.

So, what do you say?

wanderson

07-06-18, 19:34

I’ve got a set on my BCM middy with a pencil profile barrel, good fit and the heat shields only touch the barrel near the receiver. They’ve held up well, not sure how many years I’ve had them. No idea how they’d hold up with a sling attachment. I don’t do mag dumps but I’ve never had any issues with heat management. They fit my hand well, especially when wearing gloves. The top guard almost touches the gas tube so these are as slim a hand guard as you could make.

I had a set of Magpul MOE carbine guards on another build and while they’re well made they were just a bit too wide for me compared to a set of std. guards.

MistWolf

07-06-18, 22:09

JediGuy

07-06-18, 22:55

I have a midlength one on my lightweight GP carbine. I love the ‘thinness’ and the polymer seems tough.
Scratched two barrels/gas blocks to heck putting on and taking off. Also, really had to trim the sight post end to get it to fit well; interesting note, I used a kitchen knife to brutalize it into fitting. Sample of one.
Have never put a lot of rounds through a gun with this installed.

Dr. Bullseye

07-07-18, 16:47

Mine came today, it went in ok but it was a bitch. But once in, WOW, what a difference. It is like a new rifle. You don't need vertical grips, hand stops, etc. This handguard is so easy to hold. It is lighter too. It just makes moving the rifle from target to target much easier and better. Recoil control? I'll let you know when I go shooting.

wanderson

07-07-18, 18:57

I can’t remember off the top of my head if my BCM middy has round or triangular end caps but it’s not compatible with the Magpul slims, that’s the other reason I went with B5.

titsonritz

07-07-18, 19:58

I can’t remember off the top of my head if my BCM middy has round or triangular end caps but it’s not compatible with the Magpul slims, that’s the other reason I went with B5.

BCM uses triangular end caps, the Magpul SL requires a round end cap.

Morpheus171

07-11-18, 19:35

My M400 came with the B5 furniture in Foliage. Makes for a lightweight package. No problem mounting a light or a QD sling mount with the right hardware. Although I normally don't have the light on the gun.