Page 1 2
Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
Fighting the good fight |
I'm in the process of updating some of my older AR builds, including swapping out a couple older and heavier Keymod handguards. It's been a few years since I went handguard shopping, so what do you like in 2025 for free float AR handguards with the following criteria: - 15 inches - Continuous top rail - 7-sided MLOK slots (not just 3/6/9) - Relatively lightweight - $250ish or less (so a step or two below Geissele/Daniel Defense/Zev/etc.) Bonus points if it's available from the factory in green/tan/brown color, but that's not a requirement. Don't plan on nesting any suppressors or the like, so don't need oversized. I like the BCM MCMR and have those on some other rifles, but figured I'd check if there's not something else out there that's better in some way, or has a neat feature, or is a greater bang for the buck. | ||
|
Member |
Cross Machine if having an ARCA rail is in the future. I have one made for IWI Comes in tan also. https://www.cmttac.com/index.p...5_108&product_id=243 | |||
|
| Member |
The 4th Gen Noveske NSR Rail fits your criteria... Here's a blem in your price range: https://noveske.com/products/n...ok-handguard-b-line/ Non-Blem's are around $50 or so more. | |||
|
| Fighting the good fight |
No plans for Arca bipod/tripod, but thanks for the recommendation. I like their non-Arca DRT rail. Nice color, with a simple no-frills 7-sided rail, and a good price. | |||
|
semi-reformed sailor |
I have 2 ARs, both have a Midwest industries free float tube (I like the smaller tube than say a regular M4 2 piece diameter) https://midwestindustriesinc.c...tactical-handguards/  "Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein “You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020 “A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker | |||
|
| Member |
I forgot the Wilson Combat 15" it replaced has all those options but only comes in black for $130 | |||
|
| Sigless in Indiana  |
I might be interested if you are divesting some of the keymod handguards you are pulling off. | |||
|
| Sigless in Indiana |
I had a Cross Machine and Tool handguard that I traded NIB to a buddy for something. And I kinda regret it. They are really well made. | |||
|
| Sigless in Indiana |
I have no usability gripes with the BCM handguards, but the thermo-fit installation is a moderate pain in the ass. I don't think I will buy any more. Have two of them. Recently removed one to swap stuff into a Larue upper and I dread the thought of eventually removing the other when I need a barrel swap. | |||
|
| Member |
Isn't that associated with the BCM upper receiver itself rather than the handguard? | |||
|
| Member |
| |||
|
| Fighting the good fight |
No, their MCMR/KMR/QRF handguards and barrel nuts have pretty close tolerances, and it requires the use thermal expansion/contraction during installation or removal. The manual says to use a heat gun on the handguard. It's sometimes helpful to stick the upper in the freezer too. And even with the aid of heating/cooling, it sometimes requires a moderate amount of force and/or some percussive maintenance to get the handguard onto the barrel nut (or especially off of the barrel nut). A relatively minor hassle for an otherwise great handguard. Just not as quick and easy as many others.
They don't appear to have a 7-sided MLOK rail like I'm wanting. (And in the realm of handguards, those aren't expensive. High end handguards can be twice that.) | |||
|
| Member |
My favorite... https://wilsoncombat.com/acces...fles/handguards.html A decent second option... https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...640017605#1640017605 https://kakindustry.com/ar-15-parts/handguards/ | |||
|
| A man of few words |
If you want to stay in the $250 range, just give it a couple of weeks and grab a Geissele MK16 when they go on sale for the 4th. I think my MK8 cost $230ish when I got it on one of their holiday sales. | |||
|
| Member |
Would a 2/4/6/8/10 slot configuration be considered? I'm alright it's the rest of the world that's all screwed up! | |||
|
| Fighting the good fight |
I think you misunderstood me. Mlok handguards are typically either 3-sized with slots at the 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00 positions, or 7-sided with these same three plus four additional slots added on the diagonals at roughly 1:30, 3:30, 7:30, and 10:30. So when I say "7 sided rail" I don't mean 7 slots long. Rather 7 facets around the circumference (plus the picatinny rail on top for an 8th facet). An octagonal cross-section. But if you didn't misunderstand me, then I don't think I've ever come across a handguard with Mlok slots in the configuration you state. If so, could you show me an example? | |||
|
| Raised Hands Surround Us Three Nails To Protect Us  |
I have one of the Wilson Combats listed above and it is decent. I have a few Aero precision handguards to which I believe meet your criteria. I prefer the Aero to the Wilson. I far prefer their attachment to the upper receiver. It’s a much more solid connection. With the Wilson I have to have an optic mounted across the upper receiver and the handguard to make sure it is rock solid. https://www.aeroprecisionusa.c...handguard-pro-lineup I buy all my Aero stuff from Aimsurplus they always have good pricing. ———————————————— The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad. If we got each other, and that's all we have. I will be your brother, and I'll hold your hand. You should know I'll be there for you! | |||
|
| Member |
I understood. Here you go https://geissele.com/alg-emr-v...handguard-black.html I'm alright it's the rest of the world that's all screwed up! | |||
|
| Fighting the good fight |
Interesting. I wonder what they were going for with that. Just to be different? Or perhaps to shave a few tenths of an inch off the diameter and make it slimmer? But yes, that style likely would work. The main goal for me was to have a more circular/rounded grip area, as opposed to the more blocky/cross-shaped grip area of most of the 3-sided rails. I also like having grip covers all the way around it, rather than just on 3 sides with gaps in between. | |||
|
| Fighting the good fight |
Yeah, the Aero Mod 4 is already on the list for consideration. | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata | Page 1 2 |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
© SIGforum 2025