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Posted: 3/4/2020 3:51:22 PM EDT
Looking at some manufacturer's "A4" rifle and upper kits (such as PSA's), it looks the round HG's on their A4's are larger than the typical A2 USGI handguards. Is there really a spec that says A4 HG's are supposed to be larger than the older USGI A2's (similar to CAR 15/ A2 carbine HG's vs. M4 Dual Shield HG's), is it a manufacturer-specific thing, or do they just appear bigger and don't have any dimensional differences? Asking mainly out of curiosity and I kind dig the aesthetics of a flat-top with these HG's.
PSA 'A4' rifle: 
My A2 build with USGI A2 rifle HG's: 
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Posted: 3/4/2020 3:58:56 PM EDT
[#1]
PSA rifle handguards are trash and nothing like USGI handguards.
AFAIK, for USGI there is only CAR (skinny), M4 (oval) ,and rifle. |
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Posted: 3/4/2020 4:12:51 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
PSA rifle handguards are trash and nothing like USGI handguards. AFAIK, for USGI there is only CAR (skinny), M4 (oval) ,and rifle. Brownell's also sells new production Colt 'A4' rifle HG's on their site, so that only adds to my curiousity. |
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Posted: 3/4/2020 4:44:13 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
They might very well be trash, but I'm still questioning if they're dimensionally different from milspec HG's. Brownell's also sells new production Colt 'A4' rifle HG's on their site, so that only adds to my curiousity. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
PSA rifle handguards are trash and nothing like USGI handguards. AFAIK, for USGI there is only CAR (skinny), M4 (oval) ,and rifle. Brownell's also sells new production Colt 'A4' rifle HG's on their site, so that only adds to my curiousity. USGI on top, PSA bottom:  Attached FileEta: not my pic, from an earlier discussion here. |
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Posted: 3/5/2020 12:07:55 PM EDT
[#4]
Like Tig said, the Colt's are the real thing. Though you can also get them from Windham Weaponry, they are the exact same as the ones from Colt... At least they were a few years ago, I'm not sure if anything has changed since then.
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Posted: 3/5/2020 12:56:33 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Like Tig said, the Colt's are the real thing. Though you can also get them from Windham Weaponry, they are the exact same as the ones from Colt... At least they were a few years ago, I'm not sure if anything has changed since then. |
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Posted: 3/5/2020 4:01:59 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Dimensionally the WW are equal, USGI still has an edge for material/finish, IMO. In every way that I can tell, the set that I have from WW and the set that I have from Colt are indistinguishable from each other. Something may have changed since I got that set from WW though. |
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Posted: 3/5/2020 4:39:01 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Did you get a WW set to compare to a Colt set? In every way that I can tell, the set that I have from WW and the set that I have from Colt are indistinguishable from each other. Something may have changed since I got that set from WW though. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Dimensionally the WW are equal, USGI still has an edge for material/finish, IMO. In every way that I can tell, the set that I have from WW and the set that I have from Colt are indistinguishable from each other. Something may have changed since I got that set from WW though. In all honesty, all USGI polymer handguards seem to have changed in the last few years. Unsure if it's differences between contractors or the actual polymer. |
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Posted: 3/5/2020 11:17:58 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yes, but not recently, ~3yrs ago. Heat shields were a bit thinner/more flexible and the finish texture was rougher than the USGI that I had at the time, at least in my perception. The Colts that Brownells sells now are near identical to the WW. In all honesty, all USGI polymer handguards seem to have changed in the last few years. Unsure if it's differences between contractors or the actual polymer. |
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Posted: 3/5/2020 11:24:53 PM EDT
[#9]
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Posted: 3/5/2020 11:27:30 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOut of stock
When I looked before, I screened only in stock items |
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Posted: 3/5/2020 11:36:03 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Out of stock |
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Posted: 3/8/2020 9:53:31 PM EDT
[#12]
If the A4 from PSA is anything like what they sell separate ... they ain't round. Oval. Quite possibly even out of spec since the one end had a VERY hard time getting into a Spikes delta ring set up and the front couldn't work with a triangle end cap and could barely work with a circular. Asked PSA about it and they made a snide comment about the triangular end cap being correct for rifle length hand guards, I pointed out that I ordered the triangle at the same time because I knew that and had to use the circle to get it to actually get onto the rifle... kinda. Still not pleased with how they are set up. Will be replacing soonish.
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Posted: 3/8/2020 10:45:10 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
PSA rifle handguards are trash and nothing like USGI handguards. Quoted:
If the A4 from PSA is anything like what they sell separate ... they ain't round. Oval. Quite possibly even out of spec since the one end had a VERY hard time getting into a Spikes delta ring set up and the front couldn't work with a triangle end cap and could barely work with a circular. Asked PSA about it and they made a snide comment about the triangular end cap being correct for rifle length hand guards, I pointed out that I ordered the triangle at the same time because I knew that and had to use the circle to get it to actually get onto the rifle... kinda. Still not pleased with how they are set up. Will be replacing soonish. 
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Posted: 3/24/2020 1:43:02 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: PSA rifle handguards are trash and nothing like USGI handguards. AFAIK, for USGI there is only CAR (skinny), M4 (oval) ,and rifle. There are two different types of rifle Rifle round used on the M16A2, M16A3 and M16A4 Triangular (Left/Right) used on the M16/M16A1 You could also throw in the XM148/M203 handguards  CD |
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Posted: 3/24/2020 6:32:12 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: There are two different types of rifle Rifle round used on the M16A2, M16A3 and M16A4 Triangular (Left/Right) used on the M16/M16A1 You could also throw in the XM148/M203 handguards CD  Thanks CD.
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Posted: 3/30/2020 9:19:37 PM EDT
[#16]
I believe the PSA rifle length hand guards are made by Cavalry Manufacturing. They are oval, tapered, and referred to there as C7-Rifle Handguards.
C7-R HG There is another rifle length hand guard on their website. It is oval, and non-tapered. That one is referred to as C5-Fat Rifle Handguards. C5-F R HGs And, it is FAT, like a full length M4 hand guard. (I picked up a set cheap at a LGS) Both will fit on a triangle end cap, but it's not easy. |
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Posted: 3/31/2020 10:34:36 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I believe the PSA rifle length hand guards are made by Cavalry Manufacturing. They are oval, tapered, and referred to there as C7-Rifle Handguards. C7-R HG There is another rifle length hand guard on their website. It is oval, and non-tapered. That one is referred to as C5-Fat Rifle Handguards. C5-F R HGs And, it is FAT, like a full length M4 hand guard. (I picked up a set cheap at a LGS) Both will fit on a triangle end cap, but it's not easy. The PSA guards that I've owned definitely were not Cav Arms. |
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Posted: 3/31/2020 3:07:53 PM EDT
[#18]
op measuring the delta ring is the only way to be sure try it
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Posted: 3/31/2020 3:58:03 PM EDT
[#19]
The set I got from Del Ton on my 20" A2 are oval M4 type profile. The set I replaced them with from Wyndham are more round typical A2 profile. Much better IMO. I wanted a set of Colt's, but couldn't find them. Honestly don't know if Colt's are any different than the Wyndham weaponry ones.
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Posted: 3/31/2020 10:16:55 PM EDT
[#20]
@Tigwelder1971
"The PSA guards that I've owned definitely were not Cav Arms." Are the ones you bought like the PSA hand guards in the photo you posted? Those sure look like the Cavalry set. |
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Posted: 3/31/2020 10:41:07 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: @Tigwelder1971 "The PSA guards that I've owned definitely were not Cav Arms." Are the ones you bought like the PSA hand guards in the photo you posted? Those sure look like the Cavalry set. In appearance yes, construction no. The PSA guards were flimsy and did not have the feel of glass filled polymer. It's been years since I had a set, I'm doubtful that they've improved. |
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Posted: 4/4/2020 8:28:53 AM EDT
[#22]
OK, got a thread in the A2 Builds area, but I too got upset with the big fat oval PSA handguards. Feel wrong in my hands.
Saw on CDNNs site they had Bushmaster like new take-offs or NOS rifle length handguards and took a chance. Woop! Proper diameter, or a lot closer than PSA gets. Feel "right". Are they correct if you are building an A2 clone? No - heat shield is blackend, etc.but the lenght, diameter, etc. are all good. Oh, and they are like $9/set. Ordered Thursday around 2pm, paid the $7 flat rate shipping, FedEx was supposed to be here today but they arrived yesterday morning, less than 24 hours after ordering. |
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Posted: 4/4/2020 8:55:50 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: OK, got a thread in the A2 Builds area, but I too got upset with the big fat oval PSA handguards. Feel wrong in my hands. Saw on CDNNs site they had Bushmaster like new take-offs or NOS rifle length handguards and took a chance. Woop! Proper diameter, or a lot closer than PSA gets. Feel "right". Are they correct if you are building an A2 clone? No - heat shield is blackend, etc.but the lenght, diameter, etc. are all good. Oh, and they are like $9/set. Ordered Thursday around 2pm, paid the $7 flat rate shipping, FedEx was supposed to be here today but they arrived yesterday morning, less than 24 hours after ordering. That's good to know. I ordered one March 31, with some other parts, and await their shipping confirmation. I also ordered several of the 3-prong flash hiders for $19.99 each. A2 Handguard |
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Posted: 4/4/2020 10:02:36 AM EDT
[#24]
Several ads recently in the EE for proper Colt rifle length handguards. ..
These sold at $17/set or 10/$50.....  Attached File |
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Posted: 4/4/2020 11:12:06 AM EDT
[#25]
OK, in all pics thick oval PSA on right, normal Bushmaster from CDNN for cheap on left.
Note for the folks trying to duplicate a specific variant that the Bushy liners are blackened. Still have the "do not remove" stamping. Material on both appears similar, neither is "shiny", and both feel the same to touch (until you wrap your hand around it!) Top view. With nothing else to compare, you'd think the PSAs were quite normal. Full resolution image of this one is here.  Pic from the receiver end, with a straight rod 1/4" in diameter showing difference in thickness. A quarter inch may not seem like a lot but it is in fact quite noticeable (insert obligatory "your wife/your sister/your mother" joke here) .  Same pic from muzzle end. Notice the rod is about the same distance away as it is on the receiver end. 
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