Lightweight carbine...update

[Hawkeye]

Some of you will remember the 14.5" midlength carbine build I did using a 14.5" lightweight midlength barrel from CMMG. This gun ended up being my truck gun. I originally had a set of Cav Arms M4 profile midlength standard handguards on it. True to standard handguard form though, they just held too much heat around the barrel, and got REALLY toasty (within 2-3 mags) when I ran drills with it etc. I have became a really big fan of the added cooling that most of the better free float handguards offer via their better air flow around the barrel and heat sinking properties.
So, I took the regular handguards off, and replaced them with a tan Troy rail and some Magpul XT rail covers. This made ALL the difference in the world. I have to also say that I really like the better grip that my hand gets with the Magpul panels over a standard handguard. This gun is a just an outstanding shooter. I havent benched it yet since adding the free float handguard, so I dont know if there was any noticeable increase in accuracy, but it was shooting pretty darn good before hand with the standard ones on. Here are a couple of updated pics....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/Hawkeye1/Guns/Truck5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/Hawkeye1/Guns/Truck2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/Hawkeye1/Guns/Truck1.jpg


Old Standard handguard pic from a PSD class with Echelon Protection earlier this year, and also when I was beta testing PMags....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/Hawkeye1/Training/DSC_00641.jpg

[cdvanns]

I used a 16" CMMG lightweight mid. for a build and was wondering about heat issues as well as accuracy myself as I've yet to get to the range. I used the CTR and MIAD too and really like the feel of the rifle with 20rd mags. Thanks for the report and thumbs up to your build. Edit: I think if I add a rail I'll wait for the mid. DD OMEGA.

[Hawkeye]

I wish I had known about the DD Omega back when I did this. I might have held out for one of them.

[SWATcopUSA]

Hawkeye: I just recently came into the possession of a CMMG upper that is 14.5 (carbine) with a pinned A2. Right now it is wearing the Surefire M73 rails but I'm wanting to change them out to a Larue and keep the standard front sight. With it having the pinned A2 will I be able to install the Larue rails?

My LMT came set up the way I wanted it and I've never installed the Larue FF tube on a rifle. Just wanted to know if the pinned A2 is going to prevent me from doing so. According to the Larue website you have to remove the flash hider to install the rails. Just thought you might know. Thanks in advance.

[Hawkeye]

No, you wont be able to install rails like the Larue, Daniel Defense (with the exception of the Omega), etc. without removing the front sight. Thats why on this gun I went with the Troy. Other options for those with 14.5's and perm. attached flash supressors would be any of the ARMS SIR's, DD Omega, etc.
Now, you can send it off and have the FS removed, the rail installed, and then a new FS perm attached again, if that is your choice.

[Submariner]

Did you know the slide was locked open in your holster?:cool:

[Hawkeye]

Glock?? Surely you jest my good man. I upgraded. :cool:

And yes, it was locked back as we had just finished running some drills. This was during a break and I was running through another drill by myself, to test out the PMags..... Those were some early pre-production ones..