Carbon fiber handguard(s).

AR-15 » Rifles, Uppers, Lowers, Barrels, and more

AR Sponsor:

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Carbon fiber handguard(s).

Posted: 2/4/2020 5:41:01 PM EDT

I’m looking to pick up a 15” M-Lok CF rail & I would like to be more greatly apprised to my options.

Posted: 2/4/2020 6:07:42 PM EDT

[#1]

I have a Lancer CF rail on one of my Sig 516s. Very nice rail.

https://lancer-systems.com/product/lch5-carbon-handguard/

Posted: 2/4/2020 7:02:27 PM EDT

[#2]

Coda Evolution is the one I went with, really dig the attachment method.
Brigand Arms has their Carbon Black line, and Faxon has their own line of CF handguards.

Posted: 2/5/2020 12:51:23 AM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
Coda Evolution is the one I went with, really dig the attachment method.
Brigand Arms has their Carbon Black line, and Faxon has their own line of CF handguards.

View Quote

I am looking hard @ Coda. Do they install as easy as implied? I don’t have a ton of room (nor the budget) for a lot of tools, currently.
I’ve not heard of Brigand Arms.
I’m aware of Faxon but they seem chronically out-of-stock, not to mention steep.

Posted: 2/5/2020 2:12:50 AM EDT

[#4]

Smoke Composites

https://www.smokecomposites.com/hand-guards

Posted: 2/5/2020 5:00:18 AM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:

I am looking hard @ Coda. Do they install as easy as implied? I don’t have a ton of room (nor the budget) for a lot of tools, currently.
I’ve not heard of Brigand Arms.
I’m aware of Faxon but they seem chronically out-of-stock, not to mention steep.

View Quote

It's fairly easy, just gotta make sure you get the barrel nut cranked on to the right spec, then all you need are the keys they include to get the trunnion lined up, tightened up, and the probably tap the handguard onto the trunnion and install the screws.
Mine had a small bit of extra resin on the handguard which made it difficult to get off the trunnion, but it was nothing a good 10 minutes in the freezer couldn't handle.

Posted: 2/5/2020 9:02:23 AM EDT

[#6]

I have a Coda, would buy it again at this point. My sample of one had very tight tolerances and I wondered after assembly if I would be able to take it apart if the need arose since everything was tight upon assembly, well the need arose and it came a part without any real issue.

I also took a close at those mentioned above as well as the new really affordable offering from Tac-Star/Lyman products which is similar to the Lancer offering.

Posted: 2/5/2020 10:44:55 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Smoke Composites

https://www.smokecomposites.com/hand-guards

View Quote

I've long debated picking one of these up for a "SD" type build with recessed suppressor for subsonic .300BLK. I figure it would work well from a heat standpoint.

Posted: 2/5/2020 7:54:42 PM EDT

[#8]

subscribed.

gave up on FAXON being OOS forever

This is my old 6.8SPC carbine, with the old PRI carbon fiber.

I like it, especially in cold WX, as it doesn't feel as cold as aluminum

but want something skinny

.
.
.

@WriterClarkeBasic

@LastRitesBronze

What keeps with CODA from rotating/ twisting?

...like if it got banged up in a 3 gun match, or dropped.

Posted: 2/5/2020 10:52:39 PM EDT

[#9]

It's a friction clamp between the barrel nut and trunnion that keeps it from rotating. The trunnion (without the screws to tighten it down) requires a bit of effort to pull off the barrel nut, and I can't really imagine that it would shift when tightened down unless you are really trying to break it.

Nice rifle by the way. I initially built a 6.8 for my first AR, but decided it was better to run 5.56 for my purposes. Still have 100 or so rounds of S&B sitting in my desk.

Posted: 2/6/2020 4:30:06 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

subscribed.

gave up on FAXON being OOS forever

This is my old 6.8SPC carbine, with the old PRI carbon fiber.

I like it, especially in cold WX, as it doesn't feel as cold as aluminum

but want something skinny

https://i.imgur.com/hXPtv6r.jpg
.
.
.

@WriterClarkeBasic

@LastRitesBronze

What keeps with CODA from rotating/ twisting?

...like if it got banged up in a 3 gun match, or dropped.

View Quote

Let me know if you decide to part with that PRI rail. They’re dated and chonky but still one of my favorites, I’d slap it on my Dissipator.

Posted: 2/6/2020 10:36:46 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
It's a friction clamp between the barrel nut and trunnion that keeps it from rotating. The trunnion (without the screws to tighten it down) requires a bit of effort to pull off the barrel nut, and I can't really imagine that it would shift when tightened down unless you are really trying to break it.

Nice rifle by the way. I initially built a 6.8 for my first AR, but decided it was better to run 5.56 for my purposes. Still have 100 or so rounds of S&B sitting in my desk.

View Quote

eta: I have several MI genII rails which some had issues with usually not using their bonding agent. The fit of those rails to the nut fail in comparison of this fit, my Coda was damn near a press fit installing the trunnion to the barrel nut. That said I really the feel of the carbon fiber, perfect for a cold day out as Derek mentioned it really doesn't get cold.

I would expect the rail to break prior to the trunnion slipping on the nut, tolerances are very tight on my sample of one.

Posted: 2/6/2020 3:07:36 PM EDT

[#12]

Yeah, I'd agree with that. The rail would definitely break before the trunnion and nut fail.

Posted: 2/6/2020 7:02:57 PM EDT

[#13]

I've been looking at Coda for a while, but recently came across JAG Composites in the "Lightweight Parts List" thread. They claim to be quite a bit lighter than Coda if that matters to you. Currently OOS though...

Posted: 2/7/2020 11:13:19 AM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Smoke Composites

https://www.smokecomposites.com/hand-guards

View Quote

Never even heard of these guys... I use CF for my race guns and had been using Coda.

But I think I like these more... Looks like one of these will be going on the PCC I’m building for Nationals!

Posted: 2/9/2020 7:56:40 AM EDT

[#15]

I like Brigand Arms, they're nice but quite pricey. At SHOT Show this year Lancer had their CF handguard on display and they are also introducing an optional attachment to fit a matching CF guard over a suppressor. I like that idea!

Posted: 2/9/2020 10:07:41 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

This is my old 6.8SPC carbine, with the old PRI carbon fiber.

I like it, especially in cold WX, as it doesn't feel as cold as aluminum

but want something skinny

https://i.imgur.com/hXPtv6r.jpg

View Quote

The PRI is an absolute classic.