The stock MS handguard is shit. It's heavier than the original 1913 railed front end and the m-lok slots are so few and so poorly placed that they're essentially useless, even for mounting rail covers to act as heat shielding. If you're stuck with the stock MS pistol handguard, just use the 1913 rail on top and wrap the handguard with something heat resistant.
The HBI handguard is better, as it barely has enough m-lok slots to add enough rail covers to have heat protection for your hand. One problem is that anything, like a light or laser, mounted high on either side that projects forward of the handguard past the gas adjustment switch, can hinder access to the gas adjustment tab unless you can use a tool smaller than a 7.62x39 round. Another issue is that HBI chose to extend the top 1913 rail and cover up the takedown lever for the gas system, leaving only a small hole on top to push a tool through. Again, neither a 7.62x39 nor a 5.56x45 round are small enough to fit. In fact, the only thing I can think of small enough to fit that comes with the firearm would be the firing pin. That 'feature' takes the weapon a step backwards and reminds one uncomfortably of the lobotomized 'hunting' firearms that have plagued the market for 70 years and require tools or a gunsmith for takedown.
CZ's new handguards for the MS, that are included with the 16" barrel carbine and their 922r kits to allow Bren 2 pistols the use of the Bren 2 factory folding stock, look to be the best option. They are very similar to the HBI handguards, but don't extend quite as far forward and so don't block the gas system.
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