Why are JP/VTAC handguards more common with 3 gun rifles?

[johnson]

I rarely see them on a fighting carbine.

[glockshooter]

The vtac is used so much because it is a quality free floated forearm. You also have to realize that a quad railed forearm is generally not necessary for a 3un match. You really dont need to mount anything on the rail of a forearm for 3gun except possibly a JP short range sight which mount at an angle on the forearm. The vtac has mounting option at 45 degrees if you chose to use a JP sight.

Matt

[John Hearne]

I think that a real good question. I think that people buy what they want and not what they need, or more importantly, what looks cool.

If you look at rail systems that most folks have installed, very little of the real estate is holding anything. (Military operators are an obvious exception to this) I've been giving serious consideration to a VTAC system on my next upper which I want to be as light as possible. The only argument I have against the VTAC is that the Daniel Defense Lite system weighs even less.

[Palmguy]

I've wondered that myself...I had the VTAC on my .22LR upper and thought it was awesome, including the small rail segments that could be placed where needed.

[Robb Jensen]

I rarely see them on a fighting carbine.

Mostly because they are low-priced. Competitive shooters are typically a very thrifty bunch. Other tubes that are popular in 3gun are the carbon fiber Clark tube ($100) and the DPMS aluminum tube ($55).
A rifle length (12") JP/VTAC FF tube is $150 where most top of the line rifle length 12" rails are typically double that (or more). The JP does a good job for what it is. It's not really made for holding all kinds of stuff like a light and a bipod, and a PEQ2 and a vertical grip, with all that mounted the tube could very likely shear off the mounting screws. The tube is held to the barrel nut flange by several small screws. I use red loc-tite mine on and all I have mounted on my tube is the JP close range iron sights, with blue loc-tite I had it loosen once.

[johnson]

It's not really made for holding all kinds of stuff like a light and a bipod, and a PEQ2 and a vertical grip, with all that mounted the tube could very likely shear off the mounting screws. The tube is held to the barrel nut flange by several small screws. I use red loc-tite mine on and all I have mounted on my tube is the JP close range iron sights, with blue loc-tite I had it loosen once.

I understand but if you look in the picture thread in the custom build forum, the majority of the rifles posted have quad rails only to be covered up with rail covers with a light and VFG at most. Are they spending 2x the cost on the rail just for looks?

[novashooter]

I personally know of 4 guys (including myself) that when we first started shooting 3G matches we bought the Tacti-Cool rails. Realizing I didnt need it I sold it and bought a JP.

The accuracy is excellent and the tube does not get caught up on props during a match.

[Robb Jensen]

I understand but if you look in the picture thread in the custom build forum, the majority of the rifles posted have quad rails only to be covered up with rail covers with a light and VFG at most. Are they spending 2x the cost on the rail just for looks?

Yes.
Nothing wrong with that. Needs and wants are quite different.
In the competition world some people like looks, some people like performance and some people (includes me) like both. (yeah I'm a little Gucci'fied )
In the 'tactical' world the guys who are the real trigger pullers typically have guns that look like ass. Look at some pics of KevinBs' and Simplydynamics' guns that they use or used overseas. To them (and for good reason) those guns have to work, looks are way down on the list of priorities. So really beauty is in the eye of the beholder.....

[USMC03]

I understand but if you look in the picture thread in the custom build forum, the majority of the rifles posted have quad rails only to be covered up with rail covers with a light and VFG at most. Are they spending 2x the cost on the rail just for looks?

I have run a VTAC / JP Ent. handguard in years past. I prefer a rail system for a couple reasons.

I run my work gun (SWAT) in a different configuration than what I run in competition. A rail system gives me the ability to configure the gun the way I want. If I'm not using the rail, I can just cover it with a rail pannel.

From my experience the other advantage to a rail system and rail covers is it helps with heat. In the summer months when the temp is already over 100 degrees, if you go through a course of fire where you are expending 100 - 200 rounds within 6 - 8 minutes, the VTAC handguards become extreemly hot. I have seen a few guys wear gloves on their support hand due to the heat from the VTAC.

Pics from a match in July......And this is with a PRI Carbon Fiber handguard (not aluminum like the VTAC):

Early in the match ........ no glove:


As the day got hotter and so did the guns (from firing several stages) Zak dons a glove on his support hand:



Me shooting on the same stage (notice the white barrel) with a LaRue rail system and Tango Down rail pannels (no glove, no problem with heat):


When using a rail system and rail pannels (ie. Magpul XT or XTM, Tango Down rail pannels, etc.) I have never had an issue with heat. The handguard has never gotten to the point to where it was even slightly uncomfortalbe to hold with bare hands.



I agree with gotM4's observation that most 3 gunners and competition shooters are generally a thrifty bunch.


My opinion is use what works best for you. I have used carbon fiber and aluminum handguards in the past and my personal preference based on my experience is a free floated railed handguard with plastic rail pannels.



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Other reasons I think that the VTAC / JP handguard is so popular with competition shooters is because JP Ent is very supportive of competitive shooting and many competitive shooters recognize that and choose to spend their money on companies that support the sport. The JP handguard has been around (in competition circles) for quite some time, since the 90's at least.

Also consider that each group of shooters (3 gunners, tactical shooters, etc) all have the own different mindsets as to what gear and techniques are good to go and what is junk. For example, a majority of tactical shooters see a benefit in vertical foregrips. Most competition shooters think vertical foregrips are silly and see no utility in them. There are a lot of products that competition shooters use that tactical shooters think are silly.




Just my .02



S/F,
Jeff

[johnson601]

[QUOTE=gotm4;217312]Mostly because they are low-priced. Competitive shooters are typically a very thrifty bunch. Other tubes that are popular in 3gun are the carbon fiber Clark tube ($100) and the DPMS aluminum tube ($55).
A rifle length (12") JP/VTAC FF tube is $150 where most top of the line rifle length 12" rails are typically double that (or more). The JP does a good job for what it is. It's not really made for holding all kinds of stuff like a light and a bipod, and a PEQ2 and a vertical grip, with all that mounted the tube could very likely shear off the mounting screws. The tube is held to the barrel nut flange by several small screws. I use red loc-tite mine on and all I have mounted on my tube is the JP close range iron sights, with blue loc-tite I had it loosen once.


I am looking at using JP/VTAC for a coyote calling gun (not to replace my home defense guns). Will mounting only a bipod effect the mounting screws?