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Thread: Joining the "long handguard" trend?

  1. #1
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    Joining the "long handguard" trend?

    There seems to be some movement towards long handguards on ARs now. Is the only real reason being to cover up the gas block? Besides many civilian shooters, I've seen Mk 18s with the 9.5" RIS II, and now this M4 varient being used by MARSOC with 12.5" RIS II:


    Anyone here using extended length handguards? Or are you sticking to shorter ones?
    "The secret to happiness is freedom, and the secret to freedom is courage." - Thucydides, c. 410 BC

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    My job rifle has a fixed, A-frame front sight, so the short rail goes on it, but my other rifles all have the longer, gas-block covering Troy TRX extreme rail on them. A lot of guys like them because you can hold your non-dominant arm out farther for better control of the rifle, and place accessories like lights closer to the muzzle so they cast less shadow. Popular accessories like the Magpul Angled Grip practically require a long rail to use successfully.
    The opinions expressed on this board are mine and mine alone. They do not represent any departments or organizations I may be a member of.


    "Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions." - ILN, 4/19/30

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    I like them long... really 11" minimum. I have a 10" on one of my guns, and it is simply too short for my setup.

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    Gamers I tell you! J/k. It's good too see the progression.
    Chief Armorer for Elite Shooting Sports in Manassas VA
    Chief Armorer for Corp Arms (FFL 07-08/SOT 02)

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by gotm4 View Post
    Gamers I tell you! J/k. It's good too see the progression.
    Not sure if I follow your cryptic post. Are you alluding to 3-Gun match guys?
    "The secret to happiness is freedom, and the secret to freedom is courage." - Thucydides, c. 410 BC

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    I am probably going to do a troy 13.5" on my current build. I would like to keep my options open. I know I am going to want to try everything under the sun. I am a little concerned about weight, but I think the DD or troy should be fine. Plus, they do look good with a 14.5" barrel.
    "Oh, its a wonderful day! My sun is shining, my birds are chirping, my humongous chicken defeated Elmo." Huxley

  7. #7
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    I prefer longer handguards but neither of my guns has rails. One is a 16" Middy and one is a 16" Dissy. I like being able to extend my hand out further than carbine length handguards give. Just a personal preference.

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    Quote Originally Posted by wild_wild_wes View Post
    Not sure if I follow your cryptic post. Are you alluding to 3-Gun match guys?
    Yes 3gunners, mostly due to them using midlength and rifle gas length rifle barrels. The majority of them have been shooting rifle length tubes/FF rails for 10+yrs now.
    Chief Armorer for Elite Shooting Sports in Manassas VA
    Chief Armorer for Corp Arms (FFL 07-08/SOT 02)

  9. #9
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    Some prefer the longer sight radius for better accuracy.

    I would take what writer Cameron Hopkins writes with caution.

    He has been exposed on more than one occasion for embellishing and fabricating the truth.

    Seen a number of investigations on frauds he has vetted in our in the industry as well.
    Last edited by VooDoo6Actual; 03-07-10 at 20:32.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by gotm4 View Post
    Yes 3gunners, mostly due to them using midlength and rifle gas length rifle barrels. The majority of them have been shooting rifle length tubes/FF rails for 10+yrs now.

    You dirty 3-gunners do all sorts of perverted things with your carbines, or at least thats the rumor I heard.


    On a serious note, its good to see functional equipment pass back and forth though the different disciplines.
    Stick


    Board policy mandates I state that I shoot for BCM. I have also done work for 200 or so manufacturers within the firearm community. I am prior service, a full time LEO, firearm instructor, armorer, TL, martial arts instructor, and all around good guy.

    I also shoot and write for various publications. Let me know if you know cool secrets or have toys worthy of an article...


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