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Posted: 12/18/2014 12:04:16 PM EDT
| First purchase and install, so new to free float handguards. I have a 16" barrel with lo pro gas block. Want to cover most of the barrel. Tired of the carbine look. What is the longest length I can go and what brand without breaking the bank? |
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To narrow the search 1 How long do you want the rail? How much of the barrel do you want covered, just remember the longer they are the more they weigh. 2 What Style do you want or like, Quad rails were in for years but lately a shift to slim modular designs has taken off. 3. Number 1 has a direct impact on number 3, weight, check out specs and you can see, all rails are not created equal. 4. Inside diameter are different and if you ever plan on going Piston some rails will not work without modification. Some manufacturers make a 15" rail this will cover 90% of barrel. |
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Quoted:
To narrow the search 1 How long do you want the rail? How much of the barrel do you want covered, just remember the longer they are the more they weigh. 2 What Style do you want or like, Quad rails were in for years but lately a shift to slim modular designs has taken off. 3. Number 1 has a direct impact on number 3, weight, check out specs and you can see, all rails are not created equal. 4. Inside diameter are different and if you ever plan on going Piston some rails will not work without modification. Some manufacturers make a 15" rail this will cover 90% of barrel. Don't want quad rail, as you say, seems played out. I want to mimic the M16 triangular handguards. Not shape wise, but the clean, smooth look. Covering 90% of barrel will work. |
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I know the consensus is that people don't like them bu...the Leapers/UTG Pro Super Slim is reasonably priced and free floated. I'm currently running a 13" on my 16"; well..it's a 14.5" with a 2.25" pinned and welded muzzle brake. It stops just shy of the muzzle brake.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/eov6e7rp9oyi6u6/IMG_20141213_152325507.jpg?dl=0 Sorry, I still can't figure out how to get pictures to show up in the thread. |
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I run a carbon fiber tube on my precision AR.
If you're not hanging a bunch of stuff off the tube CF is a viable option. Super strong and weighs six ounces I have a 16" barrel and a 12 5/8 Clark carbon fiber tube. For a non-tacticool AR, carbon fiber is the only tube I use. Clark makes a 15" tube also. 
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Quoted:
I know the consensus is that people don't like them bu...the Leapers/UTG Pro Super Slim is reasonably priced and free floated. I'm currently running a 13" on my 16"; well..it's a 14.5" with a 2.25" pinned and welded muzzle brake. It stops just shy of the muzzle brake. https://www.dropbox.com/s/eov6e7rp9oyi6u6/IMG_20141213_152325507.jpg?dl=0 Sorry, I still can't figure out how to get pictures to show up in the thread. A lot of people crap on them, but I like their handguards as well. I have a 7" free float from them, but just ordered the one you have. Little over $100 on fleabay, pretty hard to beat. Pro line is made in the USA, so good by me. Ps. I believe once you have 50 posts your pictures will show up. |
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Quoted:
A lot of people crap on them, but I like their handguards as well. I have a 7" free float from them, but just ordered the one you have. Little over $100 on fleabay, pretty hard to beat. Pro line is made in the USA, so good by me. Ps. I believe once you have 50 posts your pictures will show up. Quoted:
Quoted:
I know the consensus is that people don't like them bu...the Leapers/UTG Pro Super Slim is reasonably priced and free floated. I'm currently running a 13" on my 16"; well..it's a 14.5" with a 2.25" pinned and welded muzzle brake. It stops just shy of the muzzle brake. https://www.dropbox.com/s/eov6e7rp9oyi6u6/IMG_20141213_152325507.jpg?dl=0 Sorry, I still can't figure out how to get pictures to show up in the thread. A lot of people crap on them, but I like their handguards as well. I have a 7" free float from them, but just ordered the one you have. Little over $100 on fleabay, pretty hard to beat. Pro line is made in the USA, so good by me. Ps. I believe once you have 50 posts your pictures will show up. It's my second Leapers/UTG Pro handguard. I have a 7" drop-in on my Windham. Thanks for the heads up about pictures. When I hit 50 I'll do an official introduction with pics of my other guns. I don't have many, but I like the ones I do have. |
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Last few builds I've done have been with the Midwest Industries SS Gen 2. Nice feel, very light, comes with its own nut wrench which is nice. Around $175.
Someone else mentioned carbon fiber. Did a build with the AP Customs tube and it's nice and VERY light and you can still add accessories to it. Comes down to what look you want and how big the bank is that can be broken. If it's a big bank and you really want that triangular look go PRI Gen 3 Delta and never look back. |
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From a value to performance perspective it's hard to go wrong with the UTG Pro made in USA product. Economic and functional, I've seen it for $120. There is a thread in Build it Yourself with a lot of pictures.
I stole this one.  Credit to 4runnerfreak, a 15" rail on 16" barrel:
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Imo, there's the bcm kmr and then there's everything else. They run between $250-300 but they are extremely light, robust and easy to install. Pay close attention to weight when purchasing long hand guards, as they can turn your rifle into a heavy pig really quick.
MI makes pretty good hand guards for less $ as well. |
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I just got a Diamondhead VRS-T 13.5" and I love it. It has a smooth triangular profile which is very comfortable. I got it for $145 shipped to my door and it was very easy to install.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/gibsonsg0005/Guns/BFA96105-61CE-4C25-8E02-F73D4647DB81.jpg ^^^ Image will appear after approved |
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