Quoted: I had a set of m44's on my rifle.
Key word, had a set. Stuff fit on them ok, but i really honestly felt like the grooves would chip or something if the rail covers were off. Not that they were too shoddy, but it IS plastic. I wouldn't expect it to hold up to much (ie take them to Iraq). I actually got them pretty cheap off the EE here, ironically from a Marine who wanted to take them to iraq but lucked out and got issued a KAC unit instead.
I also felt like if my VFG took a serious hit, it may crack off the rails. Maybe I need to not be a wuss about my range toys. or maybe I need to invest in a real set of rails....
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While confidence in your equipment is important, and you obviously had no confidence in your handguards, you also never actually experienced any issues other than what you "felt" was a weakness. You made the right move.
Quoted: Last time I was in Iraq three buddies broke the rails on the First Samco handguard with VFG. They just aren't strong enough for use in the real world. If you think you'll be needing the weapon in a fight, how much would you spend for reliable equipment?
That said... at or training center we've got quite a few Bushmasters with First Samco quad rails on them, and they work, but we're breaking one every couple of months. I'm replacing them with the YHM two piece, quad rail handguards for less money.
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What constitutes the "real world" is different for each of us. For me, living in a tent, trudging through the sand, having to dive into the side of a dune at any moment when being fired upon is definitely NOT the "real world". If your "real world" has you doing that, or any of the rigorous things that a "training center" is going to be having you do with/to your rifle, day in, day out, over and over again, amen, then I would forego the YHM rails as well and go straight for the DD/LaRue. But if your "real world" is leaning an AR15 up against the night stand before you go to bed, with a flashlight attached to your M33 forend, then I see no reason why the M33 isn't good enough for that purpose.
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If all a guys out for is to mount a light, there are cheaper and functional alternatives than the Samco HG’s. The Weaver rail section bolted to the CAR HG’s, or the FSB rails for example.
Again, the Samcos just never sat right with me, and case proven with jvicent’s input to the thread.
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Using a rail bolted to standard handguards leaves the flashlight pointed upwards in relationship to the barrel, and since your mount is only as good as what it's connected to, in this case a standard set of handguards, then you're going to have a weaker setup than the Fobus. Compared to a set of standard handguards, the M33 is actually a darned quality piece. They are VERY tight fitting and made of very thick material. They look to be thicker than even the CavArms handguards that I've owned. I prefer them to standard handguards even if I don't need rails.
I considered using the FSB rail mount option for the carbine with M33s, but the only option for operating the light is a tape switch. No option to use the thumb switch with a VFG and offset mount.
It's all fine and dandy that you guys don't like them and won't use them, and I'm not arguing that any of you are wrong in what you are saying... I'm only making sure to point out additional info in relationship to your input so that the poster gets the full picture.
But like I said in my very first reply... Don't spend more than $50 - $65 for them! If you pay $100 for a set, you just bought a GEO Tracker for the cost of a Jeep Wrangler. Aluminum forends ARE more durable (and heavier) than the Fobus. But for some folks, the Fobus will be PLENTY good and sturdy enough for what we ask of our ARs. For those in doubt... Buy DD!