View Full Version : M-LOK Handguard ideas for 14.5' midlength
Am building up 6, 14.5" midlength AR15s. For no other reason than I like to build and makes getting up the next day for work tolerable :) Barrels are Faxon Pencil and Gunner and Ballistics Advantage Modern 14.5s. Really like the shortened barrel length to 14.5 from 16 even if FH requires perm attachment. FHs are Yankee Hill Phantom and Strike Industries Venom. Needing 13 - 13.5" M-LOK handguards to go on them, prefer 13.5", but 13 is good to go. Have used MI G4 Combat 13.375", PSA 13.5" takeoff from another rifle and thinking of 13" ALG V3. Like to keep price south of $150 each.
Just looking for ideas to have variety. Will use a STNGR 13.5 VYPR when in stock. Did not care for AERO Precision. Strong preference for built in QD mount near receiver at 3 and 9 o'clock since that is where I like to attach sling. For example Faxon was a no-go since no integral QD mount. Don't care for extra parts on my rigs when option to avoid. Thanks for advice fellers.
davidjinks
06-15-21, 10:56
If you’re going with LW barrel, I would go with a LW rail system.
Something from V Seven would go well with your build.
https://www.vsevenweaponsystems.com/2099-ultra-light-m-lok-handguard-ar-15/
https://www.vsevenweaponsystems.com/magnesium-hyper-light-m-lok-handguard-ar15/
Am building up 6, 14.5" midlength AR15s. For no other reason than I like to build and makes getting up the next day for work tolerable :) Barrels are Faxon Pencil and Gunner and Ballistics Advantage Modern 14.5s. Really like the shortened barrel length to 14.5 from 16 even if FH requires perm attachment. FHs are Yankee Hill Phantom and Strike Industries Venom. Needing 13 - 13.5" M-LOK handguards to go on them, prefer 13.5", but 13 is good to go. Have used MI G4 Combat 13.375", PSA 13.5" takeoff from another rifle and thinking of 13" ALG V3. Like to keep price south of $150 each.
Just looking for ideas to have variety. Will use a STNGR 13.5 VYPR when in stock. Did not care for AERO Precision. Strong preference for built in QD mount near receiver at 3 and 9 o'clock since that is where I like to attach sling. For example Faxon was a no-go since no integral QD mount. Don't care for extra parts on my rigs when option to avoid. Thanks for advice fellers.
https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-mcmr-13-m-lok-compatible-modular-rail/
https://centurionarms.com/5-56-mlok-rail-9-5in-15in/
https://geissele.com/super-modular-rail-mk16-m-lokr.html
https://algdefense.com/rails.html
https://www.cmttac.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=95_97&product_id=159
Thanks gents. Those are stellar ideas. Much obliged.
BCM MCMR for lightweight, Geissele MK16 for all around, KAC URX4 for head duty. The latter two have built in QDs with the MK16 having it in the ideal location IMO. You can also get the MK16 in tan which is a plus. There are other good options but I prefer full MLOK, not just 3,6,9 which eliminates a bunch like Centurion.
I’m also fond of the URX4.
Geez how many of those recommended rails are available for under $150? I would go with LaRue LAT 13.2" for $132, arguably the best quality rail for the money out there but not sure about wait time.
Geez how many of those recommended rails are available for under $150? I would go with LaRue LAT 13.2" for $132, arguably the best quality rail for the money out there but not sure about wait time.
None of mine, but the MCMR is close. Honestly I couldn’t name a single rail at that price off the top of my head unless we’re going to count Magpul MOE.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Midwest Industries SLH is in the price range but only available in 12.625" and 14" lengths. Midwest Industries CRLW is in the same lengths, lighter but more expensive, but I've seen pretty good sales.
Ordered LaRue LAT 13.2". I like that rail a lot and had not considered it. Wait time on rails and triggers is estimated at 12-weeks. I use their MBT-2S triggers in all my builds and had three already on order. I have a pile of milspec triggers I can use for builds until they come in. Also ordered an ALG 13" EMR V3X off Primary Arms for $119. Had to buy the darn proprietary barrel nut wrench from Brownells separately though. They should really create some sort of standards when it comes to barrel nut dimensions. Trying to keep the rails under $150 as I see very little in terms of value other than aesthetics. Just my opinion. Favorite M-Lok rail so far is a 13.5" off a PSA upper. Very much like the STNGR. Solid as a rock, but they do not sell this particular rail separately, only the fugly cross-cut version for $99. PSA rail mentioned is on 14.5" middy pictured below with Phantom FH. Top rifle is 16" middy with Aero Precision something or another. Do not care for those rails at all. Look like a chain link fence and feel thin.
I very much appreciate your suggestions. They have been very insightful and helpful indeed. Total build costs minus optics, but including Magpul BUIS set, assuming $150 per rail is $808 per rifle, so not bad. I build rifles for fun and pleasure as funds come available. I'll keep building and when I keel over the wife will have quite the collection to sell off. This will bring my AR15 total to 12. One will be an 18" DMR clone of some sort, they won't all be M4 clones, but this size is my favorite being able to perm attach the FH.
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/cc6/hammonje/20210604_192727.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/cc6/hammonje/20210604_192727.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Edit: Cancelled LaRue LAT 13.2". Did not like the gap and 12-week wait time. Ordered sexy Centurion Arms CMR 13". Bit more than I wanted to spend, but looked right and wanted it.
99cobra2881
06-17-21, 16:22
G mk8 13.5” its a risII quad rail but its all mlok effing badassery in rail form.
https://i.imgur.com/YoCV2os.jpg
Looks amazing 99Cobra. Bit too pricey for me, but beautiful. Was going to only build out 3 right now, but a thread on BCGs here informed that PSA had BLEM Toolcraft for $99. Picked up the other three. Only short three Strike Industries Extended Charging Handles and six LaRue MBT-2S triggers. Have milspec for now. Charging handles no big deal to source.
Right now my builds are as follows: Barrel/Handguard/FH
Faxon 14.5" Gunner/Centurion CMR 5.56 13.5"/Strike Industries Venom
Faxon 14.5 Gunner/ALG V3X 13/YH Phantom
Faxon 14.5 Pencil/MI G4 Combat 13.4/YH Phantom
Ballistics Advantage Hanson Performance 16/STNGR VYPR 15/A2
Faxon 16 Gunner/Architect Foundation Series 15 (budget but very nice indeed)/A2
Last of six is up in the air as I might want to build an 18", but I prefer them light. Make up my mind a bit later as barrels become available in the market.
By the way those budget Architect rails from Sportsman's Guide are poor quality. Finish was rough to the hand. Look was boxy as well. You get what you pay for. So far my favorite for feel in the hand are the ALG V3X. Looks wise the MI G4 Combat and Centurion CMR are sexy. STNGR 15" are superb.
coolcraigster
06-26-21, 17:17
I would throw SLR in the mix also. Ive had BCM, Geissele and SLR. SLR is honestly one of my favorites. They also make one model in 7075 if memory serves. Not cheap but very niice machining and LW.
I love my SLR rail on one of my 16 inch builds but it is not a heavy use rail. If you are going to do things like shoot 3 gun and throw it into barrels I would look for something else. I have an MI Combat rail on a 7.62 build and have to say for the money it is very hard to beat. Great price, aesthetics and function. Plus I really like the mounting. I have a BAD rail on a Workhorse (my one and only off the shelf buy, ever.) and I like it as well. But it doesn't have alignment tabs so something to consider. I would put it one grade below the MI rail. Now I am in the process of building a 10.5 pistol and am going to use the Centurion 9.5 on this one. And oddly enough the rail that I have that has been on multiple builds, because I can beat on it with no remorse, is a YHM quad rail I have had for over 10 years now. Its big, fat and ugly but I can't kill it. There have been other rails over the years but these are the only ones worth mentioning.
coolcraigster
06-28-21, 10:08
I love my SLR rail on one of my 16 inch builds but it is not a heavy use rail. If you are going to do things like shoot 3 gun and throw it into barrels I would look for something else. I have an MI Combat rail on a 7.62 build and have to say for the money it is very hard to beat. Great price, aesthetics and function. Plus I really like the mounting. I have a BAD rail on a Workhorse (my one and only off the shelf buy, ever.) and I like it as well. But it doesn't have alignment tabs so something to consider. I would put it one grade below the MI rail. Now I am in the process of building a 10.5 pistol and am going to use the Centurion 9.5 on this one. And oddly enough the rail that I have that has been on multiple builds, because I can beat on it with no remorse, is a YHM quad rail I have had for over 10 years now. Its big, fat and ugly but I can't kill it. There have been other rails over the years but these are the only ones worth mentioning.The ION and HDX handguards are just as solid as the geissele i have. SLR even makes the HDX in 7075.
Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
The ION and HDX handguards are just as solid as the geissele i have. SLR even makes the HDX in 7075.
Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
Meh. Not my opinion. An SLR rep told me that word for word on an industry forum awhile back. Like I said, I love mine.
coolcraigster
06-28-21, 15:49
Meh. Not my opinion. An SLR rep told me that word for word on an industry forum awhile back. Like I said, I love mine.My son and I just played swords with both rails. Both handled it fine. And thats a highly scientific test that all rails should be tested by... but on a serious note I like all the rails mentioned and I think any would serve you well.
Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
My son and I just played swords with both rails. Both handled it fine. And thats a highly scientific test that all rails should be tested by... but on a serious note I like all the rails mentioned and I think any would serve you well.
Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
LOL I think that should be a new industry standard certification protocol. " This rail is Sword Fight Level 1Certified."
coolcraigster
06-28-21, 19:49
LOL I think that should be a new industry standard certification protocol. " This rail is Sword Fight Level 1Certified."Haha. I agree. Solves all debate between rails. If its not "Sword Fight Level 1 Certified", i ain't buyin...
Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
"I hereby declare this rail to be Sword Fight Level 1 Certified."
https://i.postimg.cc/FHfTZR7d/Sword-Fight.jpg
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.