The google has a hard time with handguards. I am wanting something free-float, that doesn't use a clamp-style attachment at the six o'clock; I just don't like the way it looks. I don't want picatinny; Keymod or M-lok is fine (M-lok preferred). If possible, I'd like it to be 100% slick, as in no top rail (not even a little bit for a front sight). It seems the ALG EMR was exactly the ticket, but it's no longer made. If anyone has one of them, or a line on one, I'd appreciate a heads-up. Unfortunately, I am not a member of any other places that have classifieds. Anyone know of any similar offerings still in production? Oh, I should also mention I'd like to stay under $200; if money didn't matter, I'd just get a PRI. Thanks in advance.

*A top rail isn't a deal-breaker, if everything else about it checks out; I could have the top rail milled off.
*Also, a squared front end is desirable; something like the BCM MCMR's angular front end doesn't appeal to me.

Daniel defense makes their RIS2/RIS3 rails, and Larue tactical makes their donut. JP enterprises has their tubes, and they lack the top rail which the previously mentioned have. Just to name a few.

Edited to add the Noveske Gen 3 N4 NSR.

Also, if you don't have an upper yet, you can combine the two. Aero has their enhanced upper/handguard combo, which doesn't use a clamp, and some of the tube configs don't have a top rail. They are part of the Quantam line.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Vgex,

I don't know who makes these. They're on Foxtrot Mike PCCs.

The barrel nut has 8 threaded holes in it that the handguard slides over and is attached with short hexhead bolts. It has M-lok slots on all sides but the top rail. HTH

Yankee Hill has direct-thread tubes that secure with a jam nut. I've used their railed versions; they're pretty nice.

Aero has onr like you are looking for, the 4 slot top pic rail is removable.
https://www.aeroprecisionusa.c...ntum-mlok-handguards

Rock River CMP NM
https://www.rockriverarms.com/...lay&category_ID=1436

They use a jamnut
And can mount 4 rails

I recently built a rifle with the Phase5 handguard. Pretty slick, but has the rail wart on top.

https://phase5wsi.com/15-lo-pr...quad-rail-m-lok.html


SIGs tread handguard has no rails on it IIRC.

EDIT - Here it is.

https://www.sigsauer.com/handg...5-inch-mlok-blk.html

quote:

Originally posted by Blackmore:
I don't know who makes these. They're on Foxtrot Mike PCCs.

The barrel nut has 8 threaded holes in it that the handguard slides over and is attached with short hexhead bolts. It has M-lok slots on all sides but the top rail. HTH

That looks just like my Wilson Combat.
https://shopwilsoncombat.com/H...info/TR%2DMLOK%2D15/

Lancer makes what you are looking for but only in carbon fiber so they are about twice your budget

https://lancer-systems.com/pro...lch5-gen2-handguard/

Just curious why you don't want a clamping style. I have beat the hell out of a clamping style armalite handguard in 3 gun for almost a decade now, it has never moved a tic.

And I personally despise the handguards that force you to index the barrel nut perfectly to align the handguard. Clamping style with anti rotation tabs is far preferable for me.

The PITA factor of getting a barrel nut perfectly aligned, and within the proper torque range, is far more egregious than the seeing clamping bolts on the bottom.

The Armalite handguards have the bolts contained within a pretty beefy boss on the bottom, so there isn't an obtrusive bolt. Sadly, they no longer sell their handguards a la carte, only available now on their complete uppers.

quote:

have the bolts contained within a pretty beefy boss on the bottom, so there isn't an obtrusive bolt

I am familiar with those guards; they'd be fine. As would be the SIG ones mentioned above, or the DD and Geissele. I should have been more specific about the aesthetic problem I have; the majority of the sleek MI offerings embody what I don't care for: the little flanges that drop down, that the bolts pass through. I agree that timing is a pain.

IndianaBoy, if you don't mind, please shoot me an email sometime.

IndianaBoy is correct on ease of install. My Wilson Combat was quite the pain to get everything lined up just right.

Like This?

It seems like this is what you are looking for and JP is good to go.

Aero Enhanced Upper $129

Aero 12" Quantum handguard w/no top rail $80

You might even be able to get 12% additional off with coupon: SAVE12

quote:

Originally posted by Loswsmith:
Like This?

It seems like this is what you are looking for and JP is good to go.

Aren’t those AR10 patterns only?

The JPs are perhaps closest to what I am after; quite similar to the PRI handguards. After adding a couple rail segments, the price gets up there a bit though.

The Aero is not my style. I am not crazy about the YHM and RRA jam nuts either. I had a YHM in the past, and it had little bolts that interfaced with the barrel nut.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by Loswsmith:
Like This?

It seems like this is what you are looking for and JP is good to go.

Aren’t those AR10 patterns only?

No, they just happen to be fully compatible with them. JP offers them for all its calibers (from .204 to .308). Any by that I mean the MK III handguards

KSGM, check out ODIN works. They have called the "Rune" that you might like. They need to be timed, and if they are like the 02 hand guards the barrel nut is a jamb nut style which isn't too bad. Get it where you like it and then clamp the adapter down in some soft jaws and torque the jamb nut.

Have you looked at ALG? Round and require timing of the barrel nut.

BCM MCMR rails have the cross bolts above the barrel like the newer Sig 716. I have a couple, just built an upper with one. They are light slim and solid.

The rail Knight uses on the SR-15 fits the requirements too, but is probably the highest cost option.

Armorally is blowing out Aero Precision enhanced uppers and handguards. They are not as slim as a threaded upper and the taper lock R-one or S-one setups, but the m4e1 enhanced upper with an M-lok rail is hard to beat for what they cost on sale. The quantum rail is even cheaper and is slick up top with M-lok all round for mounting.

I am a big fan of BCM M-lok handguards and the old school DD/Larue quad rails. The only caveat on BCM is that you usually have to apply heat to get the rail off the barrel nut. It's a tight fit going on there as well.