why pay more for the surefires over the YHM's.
why pay more for the YHM's over the M44's.
???

Note: I don't want to free float and no optics are going on the handguards.

The difference between the Surefire and YHM handgaurds isn't that much. The going rate for YHM handguards is around $110 and around $180 for the Surefire handguards - but the Surefire comes with 3 ladder-type rail covers - which have an approx. $45 value. So the difference is between the two is closer to $25. The Surefire also comes with heat shields while the YHM does not. But both are good handguards and you can't go wrong with either. As for the M44 - no plastic for me, thanks.

Quoted: but the Surefire comes with 3 ladder-type rail covers - which have an approx. $45 value.

3 ladder type covers is $33 + shipping from Adrenaline Arms.

Surefire M73 all the way.