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Posted: 11/14/2005 10:57:52 AM EDT
| Whats the story on the surefire handguards? I dont really hear about or see them very often. For those of you with experience how are they and if you have a picture would you please post it? The midlength is the one im thinking about but ill take what i can get pictures wise. I know it doesnt freefloat but then again i dont use a sling so thats not as big of an issue. Also diameter wise are they smaller like a knights or are they more like a armalite fiberglass float tube. Thanks |
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I am thinking of getting one myself. But only because that is the only one available here right now. To answer your question, a lot of people have purchased and used the Surefire rails. They have nothing but good reviews on it. It is said to be rock solid when mounted. I have handled one myself off the shelf at the store and they do appear to be made of good materials and the finish is very "clean" too. As you may already know, it is a two piece HG which makes for very easy installation. It has two screws in front which pushes the lower portion of the HG to the rear = a tight, sturdy attachment. A downside for some is the fact that the top rails do not align with the upper. It is set lower than the upper. Value for money, they say it is worth it. But Surefire has competition with MI. Same 2 piece format, same low price. Check it out. 
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I have one on my carbine, and it works out really well; VERY solid, and idiot-proof (in my case, a damned good thing) installation, which takes all of 3 minutes. Their thickness is 2.31, and with Magpul rail covers, it's 2.56 inches. I don't have any pics of just the handguards, but if you want, I can take some and e-mail them to you. |
| I've got a Surefire M73 for the Bushy I carry at work. I got it for the M900 surefire light, which I twisted right off the rail of my previous First Saamco rail. The SF is rock solid and pretty much foolproof. My only gripe is it is NOT flush with the flattop, which on a carbine is really an aesthetic issue. Good luck.hippie.gif |
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I have the M73 and I am very happy with it. It is built extremely well and solid as a rock. It is a little smaller (diameter wise) than most forearms but that is something that I like about it. here is a couple different pics of of the M73, one is with the soft rail covers that come with it and the other is with a different companies. hard covers   |
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Recently just received the Surefire Handguard system on a RRA DEA upper from SKD. Compared to Yankee Hill and MI offereings, the only similarity between the three is a 2-piece unit desgin. Other than that, the principles are quite different. The Surefire system differs from YHM and MI in the following ways: 1) The 3, 6 and 9 rails are machined on the lower unit. YHM and MI is just the opposite. So one can deduct the 12 rail is the top unit. 2) The bottom and tops units use opposing tension to secure the rail. The bottom unit secures contact with the barrel nut and delta ring where as the top unit secures in to the handguard cap. Set screws found at the front end of the top unit are engaged to force the bottom unit aft into the delta ring and barrel nut. Consequently, the force also pushes the top unit forward into the handgaurd cap. Both the YHM and MI forearms' top and bottom units make contact with the Delta ring and handguard cap. 3) The surefire rail system has locking tabs where the top and bottom unit meet. The top unit has tabs that side underneath the bottom units tap. Similar to the TROY/SAMSON design, I guess? Have not had a chance to give the unit a try, but from initial impressions, it appears to be rock solid for the designed applications. |
Is the screw tension required for it to remain in place? I remember reading a thread here recently that mentioned a M73 SF rail crapping out during a class when the screws came out for some reason (maybe vibrations from firing?). |
I currently have M73's in stock. They just came in. As to the set screws, a little locktite and no worries. The Army buys them by the dozen from me when I have them. Denny |
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I sell the SF rails, but find the MI rails to be better and cheaper. C4 www.GRTactical.com |
I just got my Surefire last evening. I love it. I cannot imagine how any other 2 piece handguard (not free float) could match it's "solid" mounting. That being said. I too do not think that the screws will stay in place with constant "jarring". Plus 1 on Denny's locktite advice. 
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loctite is definetly a good idea but so far for me I have not needed it. When I bought my M73 over a year ago I didn't have any loctite so I just installed them without it and the screws have not moved in over a year with quite a bit of shooting. |
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