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Posted: 12/10/2025 7:29:25 PM EDT
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I know about ten years back Pete Athens made a CQC kit that is long gone. I also see a few alternate similar styles made for the A3M1 by Underworld, Manticore, and others but nothing new for the M2 generation. I've seen videos and images of Steyr's own M2 rail with QD handguard but I guess those are unobtanium now? All I really see is the Clawgear M-Lok handguard that is compatible with the factory M2 top rail. Does anyone know if anybody is working on a newer handguard / top rail system like the CQC for the M2 generation rifles? |
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I had a rail for our AUG Cantilever Forend designed for the A3, which would work just fine on the A3 M2, that was actually the original version but they sprung the A3 M1 on us days before it was supposed to go to production. I could dig out the file and crank out a batch of AUG Cantilever Forends for the A3 / A3 M2 if there is interest. Sven Manticore Arms |
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Originally Posted By JsARCLIGHT: I'm definitely interested, although I realize a possible sale total of one does not a production run make. Let me work up the full documents for production and we can see what a pilot run would cost. I had already been considering it, this gives me some motivation to actually get the work done. ;) Sven Manticore Arms |
Advanced Fighting Gear for the AR, AK, AUG, Tavor, and Scorpion EVO! www.manticorearms.com
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Originally Posted By tavorsterling: The latest M2s have bolt holes that match up with M2 and M1 rails, so they will fit, you just don't have the hump so depending on the rail it may have a empty spot there. Steyr USA also sells an adapter piece that will replicate that hump if you want to use M1 series shorter rails or the STG77 optic, but its profile does not match the M1 receiver so it won't fill the "hole" correctly if you use an M1 based rail / handguard pair on an M2. I myself hope to avoid using an M1 rail system on an M2 if I can help it. |
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Originally Posted By JsARCLIGHT: Steyr USA also sells an adapter piece that will replicate that hump if you want to use M1 series shorter rails or the STG77 optic, but its profile does not match the M1 receiver so it won't fill the "hole" correctly if you use an M1 based rail / handguard pair on an M2. I myself hope to avoid using an M1 rail system on an M2 if I can help it. Originally Posted By JsARCLIGHT: Originally Posted By tavorsterling: The latest M2s have bolt holes that match up with M2 and M1 rails, so they will fit, you just don't have the hump so depending on the rail it may have a empty spot there. Steyr USA also sells an adapter piece that will replicate that hump if you want to use M1 series shorter rails or the STG77 optic, but its profile does not match the M1 receiver so it won't fill the "hole" correctly if you use an M1 based rail / handguard pair on an M2. I myself hope to avoid using an M1 rail system on an M2 if I can help it. Link to the filler piece? I considered something similar for converting the A3 M1 rails to A3 M2, but figured people would want a solid dedicated rail (in which case I would ditch the right side rail on the AUG Cantilever Forend) Sven Manticore Arms |
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Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: Link to the filler piece? I considered something similar for converting the A3 M1 rails to A3 M2, but figured people would want a solid dedicated rail (in which case I would ditch the right side rail on the AUG Cantilever Forend) Sven Manticore Arms The filler piece is not on Steyr's store website, you have to call them on the phone and speak to the old Austrian guy in their parts department. He knew exactly what I was talking about when I started describing it. The "kit" consists of the adapter piece, the bolt to mount it to the receiver, and the roll pin to connect it to the M1 optic or rail and if I remember right cost about $40. I can get a picture of the one I have on one of my M2 optic AUGs if you want it. Edit: Photo Attached File |
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 Here is a pic of my CQC. From my conservation with Pete like 13 years ago when I pulled on the rifle. The kit is basically a custom fit build. I think it was the bottom rail to top rail fit was the biggest headache for Pete to machine. But it does work. I am not sure Corvus ever made a hand guard to go with the top rail. |
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I have not seen a Corvus handguard to go with their extended top rail. I think their answer was that folding grip replacement rail they make. However when you compare the Corvus design against the new Steyr QD handguard and rail or the Clawgear handguard, it seems better thought out. The new Steyr system seems kind of cludge and the weird Clawgear handguard that mounts to the barrel and fits under the M2 factory rail just seems like a first draft. IMO what makes the CQC style appealing to me is that the handguard is connected to the top rail, which should eliminate any wobble that the barrel mounted systems like the Clawgear or Underworld designs have. The Manticore design seems like a well thought out streamlining of the CQC design. If Sven can make a new version for the M2 without the relief for the M1 hump (and perhaps give the front edge of the top rail a bit more of a slope like the CQC design) I'd buy one. The angle of the front of the top rail is purely cosmetic though. I really like that shallow angle it has that really compliments the nose of the gun. However I understand why Manticore's design is blunt, it gives you just a tad more rail real estate. |
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Corvus has a handguard that attaches to their rail, but its not listed on Steyr's website, so you would have to order it directly from Austria. Never had one, but looks interesting as if you remove the vfg, you can QD the barrel without removing the handguard. Looks pretty girthy so never appealed to me much. I previously had the Steyr M2 handguard, it attaches directly to the top rail and was pretty good, but with the Aug gas system venting, it got hot really quick, and would blow hot carbon on your hands if you put the cover on. With out you could inadvertently touch the gas block or vent holes, which does not feel very good. The QD system worked ok, but on a 16" barrel, if you had a larger muzzle device on, like my huxwrx, it was a bit of a pain to remove the barrel, and if you had separate barrels, you would either have a funny looking diving board, or would have to source a new qd handguard, or remove the muzzle device. I also did not like how high it sat up. Rumor is they are already working on a new version, so we will see. Currently playing with the clawgear handguard. It has a vent hole for the gas system so shouldn't blow carbon and hot gases all over your hand, but you don't want to misplace your finger over it either. It mounts solidly to the barrel, and not being attached to top rail is moot as it would hold zero since its attached to the barrel anyways. My experience shooting it is limited, so can't really comment on how hot it gets, but for my purposes it was more to mount a bipod than as a primary grip, and not to lock me into a particular handguard system when I run different barrels, like the M2 handguard did. For me, I've mostly given up on trying to run the front end like you would an AR15, and just embraced the VFG and running it like that. I have a KNS gas piston which should vent less, so it may make the M2 handguard more tolerable (albeit it doesn't fit the previous version without mods). The best solution would be to have a handguard that is longer and works on the 20" barrels. This would give you plenty of room to move past the gas block area and avoid all those issues with putting your hand there. I think Underworld is the only 20" specific one, but won't fit the heavy barrels with out the threading for bayonet lugs nor the rail on the newer M2s. |
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Can you PLEASE do this? There are so many of us out there who own an A3M2 who are desperately in need of an extended handguard option for our A3M2’s. I will literally prepay for one and wait for the production to be run. ARID is taking forever on their rail, and I gave up on being able to find and buy a MK2 rail years ago. |
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Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: I had a rail for our AUG Cantilever Forend designed for the A3, which would work just fine on the A3 M2, that was actually the original version but they sprung the A3 M1 on us days before it was supposed to go to production. I could dig out the file and crank out a batch of AUG Cantilever Forends for the A3 / A3 M2 if there is interest. Sven Manticore Arms I Might want one..buuuut I hate the look of it as it extends back towards the ejection port. Id want the back to look like the front on that pic rail.. Which is why I dont have one.. |
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Originally Posted By Odinforever2000: I Might want one..buuuut I hate the look of it as it extends back towards the ejection port. Id want the back to look like the front on that pic rail.. Which is why I dont have one.. Originally Posted By Odinforever2000: Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: I had a rail for our AUG Cantilever Forend designed for the A3, which would work just fine on the A3 M2, that was actually the original version but they sprung the A3 M1 on us days before it was supposed to go to production. I could dig out the file and crank out a batch of AUG Cantilever Forends for the A3 / A3 M2 if there is interest. Sven Manticore Arms I Might want one..buuuut I hate the look of it as it extends back towards the ejection port. Id want the back to look like the front on that pic rail.. Which is why I dont have one.. You want the underside of the rail to hug the stock instead of tapering upwards. It was designed with the taper to clear the hump on molded into a number if AUG stocks, and also to accept a possible add on brass deflector that we never ended up making, but I will just make it fit to the top of the flat stocks when running a top rail. I do have the top rail designed, we just need actual machine time to run them as the Ripley Rails are keeping things full up right now. Sven Manticore Arms. |
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Originally Posted By Manticore_Arms: You want the underside of the rail to hug the stock instead of tapering upwards. It was designed with the taper to clear the hump on molded into a number if AUG stocks, and also to accept a possible add on brass deflector that we never ended up making, but I will just make it fit to the top of the flat stocks when running a top rail. I do have the top rail designed, we just need actual machine time to run them as the Ripley Rails are keeping things full up right now. Sven Manticore Arms. Awesome, TY |
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