I have Colt AR15A4 rifle that I'm thinking about putting some new furniture on and I came across a company that makes black walnut stocks/grips/handguards for AR15s:

Black Guns Wood

However, I'm a little concerned about a wood handguard without any vent holes covering a hot gun barrel. Now I wouldn't be dumping numerous mags through the AR at one time, but still I'm a bit concerned about a non-vented wood handguard over a hot barrel. Has anyone here had any experience with wood furniture on a AR15? Also, there is another company named Boyds that makes wood furniture for ARs that does have vented handguards, but I much prefer the more tradition styling of Black Guns Wood's AR furniture.


Thanks for your input and assistance.



nero

You might ask them if they can have metal heat shields on the inside. I believe Ironwood Designs does this with theirs.

Thanks, zoom6zoom. I emailed Black Gun Wood asking about metal heat shields, and they replied that their handguards do not have them, but they did put 180-200 rounds in one range session through an AR with the wood furniture with no issues, and stated that they have not had any complaints or heard of any issues from any of their previous customers. I also went to Iron Designs website to see their products, but unfortunately their AR15 furniture page was down/under construction. I think that I'll wait until Ironwood's AR page is available to get a look at their offerings before making a final decision. Again, thanks for your input.


nero

glad to help. I'd recommend dropping an email to Matt at Ironwood. (might take him a few days to get back to you). I also have my eyes on their AR stuff for a future build. At times they have had the parts on their "scrapyard" page.

I have been very happy with his products and support. This is a picture of one of the very first VEPR stocks they produced. It was received unfinished and dyed and shellacked by myself.

Will do, Zoom6zoom...And that's a great looking VEPR!


nero

Arc did a walnut stock, pistol grip and hand guard build a few months ago...it looked really nice...

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...935/m/3240087344/p/2

Google Search "AR15 wood furniture"and there's a few places out there making them.

I saw a video once of an AK on auto where the hand guards caught fire. It was a fairly hefty round count. Unless you plan on getting into some really long battles with the AR I think you’ll be ok.

I used to bumpfire my Yugo RPK with a 75 round drum and the original wood stocks. Never caught fire, but the heat would melt more cosmoline out of the wood every time.