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Posted: 9/16/2016 10:18:42 PM EDT
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Well the only thing left for me to decide on to complete my build is an M-LOK hand rail 13 or 15 inch on a 16 inch mid build. Do not want to mess with lining up the gas tube. And do not want to spend 200 plus on it. Retired for a while on fixed income. LOL
Suggestions appreciated |
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Quoted:Do not want to mess with lining up the gas tube. Most handguards go on after the gas tube is installed, so lining it up isn't difficult, there. The only FF tube I have used that required threading the gas tube through the whole length of the tube was Rock River's TRO. For the record, that one is a PITA if you're building it so that the handguard extends beyond the gas block. |
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Quoted:
Well the only thing left for me to decide on to complete my build is an M-LOK hand rail 13 or 15 inch on a 16 inch mid build. Do not want to mess with lining up the gas tube. And do not want to spend 200 plus on it. Retired for a while on fixed income. LOL Suggestions appreciated |
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Quoted:
OL: Good luck finding a FF handguard for less than $200 that doesn't require indexing the barrel nut for the gas tube. My favs are SLR and BCM brands for that feature. Also, if you have a 16" barrel with a muzzle device, I recommend you don't install a handguard longer than 13". My middy 16 incher has a BCM KMR handguard that is 10.4" long and just covers the low pro gas block. You need a few inches of exposed barrel to clamp in wood blocks when installing or removing a tight muzzle device. Otherwise, you have to remove the handguard every time you want to clean the muzzle crown. - CW Quoted:
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Well the only thing left for me to decide on to complete my build is an M-LOK hand rail 13 or 15 inch on a 16 inch mid build. Do not want to mess with lining up the gas tube. And do not want to spend 200 plus on it. Retired for a while on fixed income. LOL Suggestions appreciated reaction rod or Brownells equivalent and that problem is solved. However, I do agree with 13". 15" becomes too nose heavy and unnecessary IMO unless you have really long arms. |
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The UTG Ultra Slim 13" are on sale at Cheaper than Dirt for $99.97. Highly reviewed and rated and do not require barrel indexing. I am going to try one as all my other builds have the BCM on them. https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/leapers-utg-pro-ar-15-13-super-slim-free-float-modular-handguard-aluminum-matte-black-mtu006ss-4717385550124.do?green=F3052596-A4B1-5FF5-92C1-A5945B5636A7
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Another vote for the UTG. I've used two of the super slims, and installed a Keymod on a friends rifle. I prefer the super slims PS: $99 each is a dynamite price. |
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I found these and I really like them. The 15" is on sale now for $89.99. Down side is they do require indexing with the shims.
Aero Quantum 15" handguard |
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mb: If the Super Slims don't require indexing for the gas tube, as others have reported, then why are shims included in the package? thx - CW PS: $99 each is a dynamite price. Quoted:
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Another vote for the UTG. I've used two of the super slims, and installed a Keymod on a friends rifle. I prefer the super slims PS: $99 each is a dynamite price. You don't need to index the gas tube but you do need to index the barrel nut at 90degree increments so the rail is at 12:00. Harder to do than clock a gas tube. I end up lapping the upper to make them clock correctly. |
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Quoted:
Well the only thing left for me to decide on to complete my build is an M-LOK hand rail 13 or 15 inch on a 16 inch mid build. Do not want to mess with lining up the gas tube. And do not want to spend 200 plus on it. Retired for a while on fixed income. LOL Suggestions appreciated I believe you seek the Midwest Industries G3 SSM M-LOK Free Float Handguard. I love my 12.625 inch, but it's on a 14.5 inch P/W. Built in QD Barrel nut & wrench incl Super Slim Lifetime Warranty No Barrel Nut shiims / timing required! UNDER $200 If you want cheaper, I too would try the UTG Pro. I've never tried one but have read good things about them. By the way, I also have a Aero Precision 15 inch rail on a 16 inch barrel. I really don't like that setup. The rail seems too long for the barrel. |
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I got a BCM Keymod off ebay for $112. I can't say enough good things about it. It has a non-indexing barrel nut. All tools included in price. The dual pin anti rotation is rock solid. If you aren't in a hurry keep an eye out on Opticsplanet and their other site Dvor.com
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Quoted:
I found these and I really like them. The 15" is on sale now for $89.99. Down side is they do require indexing with the shims. Aero Quantum 15" handguard I have one of these. It's easy to install, and while the shims are a pain, you only have to mess with them while you're doing the barrel nut installation. Once that's done, you can ignore them. As a bonus, the pins on a GI barrel nut wrench (and every aftermarket wrench that features pins) work perfectly with the nut that goes with this rail. OP, there are no "mainstream" barrel nuts that don't require some sort of timing. It's no big deal to do, and it doesn't even take a lot of work. Just patience and attention to detail. Having your gas tube slid in from the rear, through the upper, can help get that alignment spot on. |
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It would appear the Faxon unit requires no kind of indexing? It looks like you're right. This is the first time I've seen anything like this. It had appeared that this unit was very similar to the MI rail, but I see this has a very different barrel nut design. I would like to hear from Faxon on how this nut works with the rail - it seems to be a clamp-style arrangement... |
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reaction rod or Brownells equivalent and that problem is solved. However, I do agree with 13". 15" becomes too nose heavy and unnecessary IMO unless you have really long arms. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Well the only thing left for me to decide on to complete my build is an M-LOK hand rail 13 or 15 inch on a 16 inch mid build. Do not want to mess with lining up the gas tube. And do not want to spend 200 plus on it. Retired for a while on fixed income. LOL Suggestions appreciated reaction rod or Brownells equivalent and that problem is solved. However, I do agree with 13". 15" becomes too nose heavy and unnecessary IMO unless you have really long arms. Tread lightly. This may bring about it's own set of issues. |
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You don't need to index the gas tube but you do need to index the barrel nut at 90degree increments so the rail is at 12:00. Harder to do than clock a gas tube. I end up lapping the upper to make them clock correctly. Quoted:
Quoted:
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Another vote for the UTG. I've used two of the super slims, and installed a Keymod on a friends rifle. I prefer the super slims PS: $99 each is a dynamite price. You don't need to index the gas tube but you do need to index the barrel nut at 90degree increments so the rail is at 12:00. Harder to do than clock a gas tube. I end up lapping the upper to make them clock correctly. Except it's not as big of a pain in the ass as you're making it out to be. First 2 rails I put on I did not have to shim at all. The last one required 2 shims. OP, there is a 60 something page thread that's now been archived all about the UTG Pro. A lot of good information in the thread and a lot of satisfied ARF brothers. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll search it for you. |
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Seekins Precision
I just put a Sp3r V3 on a build and couldn't be more pleased. Although with that rail you will need to line up the gas tube while torquing down the barrel nut. Value is incredible on these rails. ETA: No special tools to install, a crescent wrench will work. I also love my Odin Works but I think their prices have slipped up into the higher price territory. Same simple installation using a wrench. |
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It looks like you're right. This is the first time I've seen anything like this. It had appeared that this unit was very similar to the MI rail, but I see this has a very different barrel nut design. I would like to hear from Faxon on how this nut works with the rail - it seems to be a clamp-style arrangement... Quoted:
Quoted:
It would appear the Faxon unit requires no kind of indexing? It looks like you're right. This is the first time I've seen anything like this. It had appeared that this unit was very similar to the MI rail, but I see this has a very different barrel nut design. I would like to hear from Faxon on how this nut works with the rail - it seems to be a clamp-style arrangement... First time for both of us. No gas tube indexing, and since the handguard is a tension mount to the nut, it doesn't require indexing for that, either. Through an image search, I found this picture of the parts included with that handguard that prominently displays the barrel nut: 
My concern for the OP would be getting proper torque on the barrel nut. Almost without fail, indexing a gas tube slot is enough to get into proper torque range. I would not install this one without using a crow foot on a torque wrench. |
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Quoted:
It looks like you're right. This is the first time I've seen anything like this. It had appeared that this unit was very similar to the MI rail, but I see this has a very different barrel nut design. I would like to hear from Faxon on how this nut works with the rail - it seems to be a clamp-style arrangement... Quoted:
Quoted:
It would appear the Faxon unit requires no kind of indexing? It looks like you're right. This is the first time I've seen anything like this. It had appeared that this unit was very similar to the MI rail, but I see this has a very different barrel nut design. I would like to hear from Faxon on how this nut works with the rail - it seems to be a clamp-style arrangement... Hit the nail on the head. Torque to spec and way you go! |
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Except it's not as big of a pain in the ass as you're making it out to be. First 2 rails I put on I did not have to shim at all. The last one required 2 shims. OP, there is a 60 something page thread that's now been archived all about the UTG Pro. A lot of good information in the thread and a lot of satisfied ARF brothers. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll search it for you. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
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Another vote for the UTG. I've used two of the super slims, and installed a Keymod on a friends rifle. I prefer the super slims PS: $99 each is a dynamite price. You don't need to index the gas tube but you do need to index the barrel nut at 90degree increments so the rail is at 12:00. Harder to do than clock a gas tube. I end up lapping the upper to make them clock correctly. Except it's not as big of a pain in the ass as you're making it out to be. First 2 rails I put on I did not have to shim at all. The last one required 2 shims. OP, there is a 60 something page thread that's now been archived all about the UTG Pro. A lot of good information in the thread and a lot of satisfied ARF brothers. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll search it for you. Agreed, I like my super slim. |
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My concern for the OP would be getting proper torque on the barrel nut. Almost without fail, indexing a gas tube slot is enough to get into proper torque range. I would not install this one without using a crow foot on a torque wrench. |
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Quoted:
Hit the nail on the head. Torque to spec and way you go! Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
It would appear the Faxon unit requires no kind of indexing? It looks like you're right. This is the first time I've seen anything like this. It had appeared that this unit was very similar to the MI rail, but I see this has a very different barrel nut design. I would like to hear from Faxon on how this nut works with the rail - it seems to be a clamp-style arrangement... Hit the nail on the head. Torque to spec and way you go! Is there a purpose to the multiple holes in the nut, other than lightening the nut? Do you, like MI, provide/recommend a thread lock material between the nut and the rail? |
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I just put together a build using the Aero Precision Quantum. 13" M-lok.
Aero Precision upper/lower with a Faxon 16" mid-length Gunner profile barrel. I'm more than satisfied. As previously discussed it does require indexing the barrel nut but that is nothing you can't handle. 
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Quoted:
OL: Good luck finding a FF handguard for less than $200 that doesn't require indexing the barrel nut for the gas tube. My favs are SLR and BCM brands for that feature At my shop we sell BCM 15" KMR Alpha Keymod rails for $189.99 installed. So if you look around you can find a handguard that meets your needs. The best seller in my shop in the Guntec 15" Keymod. You do have to align it, however. I sell those for $109.99 installed so the customer does not have to worry about a thing. *this is not an ad, just giving real world "street prices" to help the OP |
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mb: If the Super Slims don't require indexing for the gas tube, as others have reported, then why are shims included in the package? thx - CW PS: $99 each is a dynamite price. Quoted:
Quoted:
Another vote for the UTG. I've used two of the super slims, and installed a Keymod on a friends rifle. I prefer the super slims PS: $99 each is a dynamite price. Shims are included because there are some sections of the barrel nut sleeve that might interfere with installation. I never use the shims as I can usually use the "torque-loosen-retorque" method to get everything lined up. If that still doesn't work I pull the barrel and lap the upper. |
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reaction rod or Brownells equivalent and that problem is solved.
reaction rod or Brownells equivalent and that problem is solved.
Tread lightly. This may bring about it's own set of issues. Yep, I just broken another index pin on a LR 308 today. Finally ordered the PlastixWorx upper clamp. Should have done it two years ago but I don't work on large frames much. Then all of a sudden I have three large frames to install hand guards on in one week. |
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