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View Full Version : Carbon Fiber on AR’s - Pictures and commentary thread


JediGuy
12-06-23, 05:09
Carbon fiber seems like a lightning rod for many. Scary “what could happen” stories are brought up, prices are way, way higher than most aluminum parts, and lower receivers made of CF were absolute trash.

I’d like to see pictures of AR’s with solid carbon fiber components, ideally with description of experiences using them. Pro’s and con’s are good.

Known companies…

Lancer
Handguards, stocks

Faxon
Handguards

Smoke Composites
Handguards, stocks, pistol grip

JAG Composites
Handguards

CODA Evolution
Handguards

Brigand Arms
Handguards and other parts

PRI
Really, really heavy handguards that people only buy because they clone 20 year old SPR setups

Fortis (?)
Grips…kinda

FarrowTech
Various foregrips


If you are aware of other manufacturers, I’ll tag them on this original post.

I’ll drop in some better images later, but here is a rifle length closed stock with butt pad and cheek rest from Smoke Composites. Length of pull is super long for me, so a custom length is on the way to replace this on my GP carbine. The will be moved to a precision rifle that I mostly shoot prone. Unless I sell it. The weight is great, and the butt pad really isn’t necessary, though it is an improvement.

https://i.imgur.com/3bTOz9E.jpg
jsbhike
12-06-23, 05:34
https://www.precisionreflex.com/68-forearms
HKGuns
12-06-23, 07:33
I'm not against it, unlike the wood and steel fanatics that nearly sunk the AR15.

Materials science has advanced since the 1950's and if done right certain properties "should" be better than AL or even steel in some cases.

However, done correctly, it is expensive to produce, as reflected in the price of most parts. The CF strength to weight ratio should make it an absolute winner for some parts of the AR.

I've been thinking about what will be on the market in this space 50 years after I'm gone and if the stuff I own now will no longer be considered useful.
markm
12-06-23, 07:36
I would never even click on a thread like this. :dance3: It'll go 9 pages long and last for the next 45 days!
CrowCommand
12-06-23, 17:00
I would never even click on a thread like this. :dance3: It'll go 9 pages long and last for the next 45 days!

Lol you did though! Getting weak old man!

I’m guilty too I suppose….
Hammer_Man
12-06-23, 18:47
How about the OG carbon fiber hand guard? Precision Reflex Gen II as seen on this MK12 mod-0 rifle:

https://i.imgur.com/g8mPhfN.jpg

Or Gen III as seen on these MK12 mod-h rifles:

https://i.imgur.com/RkOqBtE.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mXnaKhE.jpg
Defaultmp3
12-06-23, 19:30
COTA
HandguardsDid you mean Coda? https://codaevolution.com/products/lightning-carbon-fiber-handguard

There's also Brigand Arms, they make handguards, grips, and stocks, seems mostly for gaming: https://brigandarms.com/

Are you going to count carbon fiber wrapped barrels, e.g., Proof Research or Christensen Arms?
JediGuy
12-07-23, 03:59
Yes, I did mean CODA… I’ll update. And Brigand seems like they have some cool things, but the weird designs were off putting. Are they “good”?

Weight savings are the immediately reason for carbon fiber for most people.

But at least as valuable is that it won’t act like a heat sink. “My handguard got so hot I had to wear gloves” or “I need to paint my handguard, that class outside in July with a black gun was rough” are comments I’ve regularly read or heard in person. Or experienced. That’s the reason I picked up a handguard before anything else.

Regarding barrels: You’re right, they are partly carbon fiber. I’m not sure whose are worth buying. The one 12.5” carbon fiber wrapped barrel I got had an enormous gas port, so I didn’t even put it together after discovering that.
JediGuy
12-07-23, 04:04
How about the OG carbon fiber hand guard? Precision Reflex Gen II as seen on this MK12 mod-0 rifle…

I added to the list with a strong opinion “haha”
Hammer_Man
12-07-23, 08:42
I added to the list with a strong opinion “haha”

I appreciate your candor lol. I’ve used them on multiple builds, and the weight doesn’t seem any more significant than other hand guards I’ve used. Added bonus, they don’t seem to heat up like modern slim designs.
JediGuy
12-07-23, 16:31
I appreciate your candor lol. I’ve used them on multiple builds, and the weight doesn’t seem any more significant than other hand guards I’ve used. Added bonus, they don’t seem to heat up like modern slim designs.

The heat aspect really does matter.