Magpul MOE M4 Handguards

[USMC03]

On Sept 22 - 23 I hosted Larry Vickers for a Vickers Tactical Carbine Course ( https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19519 ). In attendence was Drake from www.magpul.com

One of the items that Drake had on hand was the Magpul MOE 2 piece plastic handguards for the M4 carbine length gas system.

The MOE handguards are innovative, lightweight, economical (if I remember correctly around $25), modular handguard, that offer features that offer many features that standard plastic handguards don't. Typical Magpul gear....what else would you expect.

At first glance you may think that they are just another set of plastic handguards (that was my initial impression) until I took a closer look at them.

MOE handguards on Drake's Colt lightweight LE Carbine:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/4bfb277c.jpg

Right side:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/94e57348.jpg

Bottom:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/0c885697.jpg

Top:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/8e87eb2a.jpg

Left side:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/df265155.jpg

The MOE install like standard plastic handguards:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/2d34f79e.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/aa368d94.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/d7cc87f5.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/6869ef59.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/de62b62c.jpg


Standard AR15 / M4 handguards have a series of holes at the 12 and 6 o'clock position to let heat escape and aid in cooling (2 sets of cooling holes).

The MOE handguards has 6 sets of cooling vents. The cooling vents also act as anchor points to mount accessory rails.

I found that the plastic of the MOE to be thick and didn't feel brittle. The material also felt as if it would handle heat well.

Initially I though the extended front of the handguard that wraps partially around the front sight base looked a little funny, but I know several guys that hold extreemly far forward on the M4 handguards, and this would help prevent your hand coming in contact with the front sight base.

I saw Drake go through several drills with the MOE handguards (most of them in the late afternoon when the temp was in the high 80's / 90 degrees) and saw no issues relating to heat.

I was extreemly impressed with the MOE handguards and they definatley fill a niche in the market. It's an awesome alternative for someone who just wants to attach a light to their carbine, for a law enforcement agency that is limited by budget, etc.

After seeing the MOE handguards in the class I would run them on my personal carbine without hesitation.


Magpul doesn't give estimated release dates on their new products anymore and I don't know when they will be released


Now if they would just make them in a mid-length version ;)



S/F,
Jeff

[SpartanArms]

Jeff,

Nice mini-review! I really appreciate the extra pics and info on the new Magpul MOE hand guards. Thanks a lot.:D

[RD62]

Thanks for the write-up and pics!


-RD62

[mark5pt56]

You know what would be cool is a higher end version of the MOE HG. One with swivel cups in the front and a plastic rail piece that's modular, something that slides in a slot with a detent so you can add it or take it off.

[Kafir]

Thanks for the write-up and pics!


-RD62

+1 Great review & photos.

[USMC03]

In this pic you can see how the rail is mounted to the cooling vent hole:

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/484dc251.jpg



S/F,
Jeff

[Magsz]

So when are these going to be released?

JUST KIDDING!!!!!

/Ducks

How about flex? Do these handguards flex at all when they're on the rifle? Any creaks or squeaks?

[.357sigger]

How well do they hold up with a VFG? Do they move or rotate?

[spamsammich]

Judging by the pictures it looks like they rotate about as much as standard plastic handguards rotate. There are clearly teeth on the delta ring/barrel nut interface that are meant to lock into the grooves in the barrel nut. People have been attaching VFGs to standard hand guards for a long time, not my favorite system for a VFG though.

[JoshNC]

Thanks for the pictures Jeff. Good looking setup.


You know what would be cool is a higher end version of the MOE HG. One with swivel cups in the front and a plastic rail piece that's modular, something that slides in a slot with a detent so you can add it or take it off.


I really like the idea of Q.D. sling swivel mounts molded into the handguard. Maybe at the front and rear of the handguards, so you can choose where to position the sling.

[Patrick Aherne]

These look like the perfect set-up for an agency purchase, where you can't afford to put $300 rails on 20+ rifles.

[Evan_O]

Thanks for the review Jeff. I'll be looking for these when they come online. May be a nice alternative for some of the guys at my agency.

[SoDak]

Great review and pics. I've been more excited about these handguards than any other ar accessory in a while. Finally it will be possible to mount lights and vfgs for a price that easily competes with bolt on rail sections for normal handguards and well below the price of CAA polymer handguards(I wonder what CAA will do when this superior and cheaper polymer handguard come out). Magpul has done a really good job with the MOE line.

[45r]

Sweeet! Thanks for the review and photos!

[USMC03]

Looks like Grant has the MOE handguards in stock.

Dr. Drake rockin' the MOE handguards in a Vickers Tactical carbine class a few months ago:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/7b0a1dd4.jpg



S/F,
Jeff