sbpt1911 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Hi all, I am ordering parts to build my first "competition" rifle. I ordered an 18" barrel, and would like to know what handguard you all are using. I am looking at the Troy TRX extreme 13" or 15". Or maybe a carbon fiber? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike cyrwus Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 PRI 15" tube is phenomenal. Best made, lightest (and priciest) tube out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Tischauser Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 +1 for the PRI if you go carbon fiber. If you don't want to break the bank with PRI Check out LOKIs new 15" carbon tube. It's price and quality is hard to beat. Right now I'm using the new Samson Evolution 15" hand-guard on my Stag rifle.. It is very similar to the Troy tube u mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpipe95 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 The Samson will slide during constant firing, and in the longer lengths it does not take well to large amounts of pressure being put on it. The pri is just as heavy as any other light weight all aluminum tube because of the gigantic mounting coupler, and the natural finish ones get hot as hell in sunlight. For me the Midwest SS is about a good a compromise as I have found. Light, strong and has a good mounting system oh and decently priced. I use this the most as it just seems to cover a large area of applications. I have a Nordic on order right now for another new build and this will be my first time using it. It is a couple oz heavier than the stripped SS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Check out Post #13 on the Firebird barrel nut: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=121475&pid=1425526&st=0entry1425526 I am rather partial to the Carbon Feather handguard. It is very light and very durable. Unless you are going to get JP to Thermo-fit a barrel for you, the Firdbird nut offers the best accuracy available. The Carbon Feather is a simple direct bolt to the Firebird nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpt1911 Posted August 20, 2011 Author Share Posted August 20, 2011 The reason I would go with carbon fiber is weight savings. The Loki 15" looks nice - light and not priced too high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Tischauser Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 The Samson will slide during constant firing, and in the longer lengths it does not take well to large amounts of pressure being put on it. The pri is just as heavy as any other light weight all aluminum tube because of the gigantic mounting coupler, and the natural finish ones get hot as hell in sunlight. For me the Midwest SS is about a good a compromise as I have found. Light, strong and has a good mounting system oh and decently priced. I use this the most as it just seems to cover a large area of applications. I have a Nordic on order right now for another new build and this will be my first time using it. It is a couple oz heavier than the stripped SS. Please elaborate on your comments on the Samson tube. I put 2-3k on mine this month practicing and shooing the RM3G and i haven't noticed any issues. But I'm not sure what you mean. I put my PRI tube with the mounting hardware on a scale and then compared it to a 12" JP/VTAC tube and it was significantly lighter. The PRI weighed only 13.8 oz w/barrel nut, sling swivel adapter and a 3" bi pod rail. The JP was over 20 oz. With similar accessories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpipe95 Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 (edited) The Samson I had would slide forward off of the bushing it clamps on to as it was shot. I loved the weight of the rail, and the how easy it was to hold, but no matter what I did (short of putting red lock tight on it. It would slowly slide forward. I had the 15" version mounted on a 16 oal length carbine and when pressure was applied via fore grip or bipid it would bend far enough to hit the claymore muzzle device. I was very disappointed because as I said it was a favorite of mine before I tested it. I consider a lightweight aluminum handguard to be under 14 oz. There are several on that list from DD to MWI, even the 12" Nordic comes in around there. The PRI has no real advantage in the weight dept due to the gigantic coupler. I have noticed some newer brands of CF handguards (that I have not tried yet) have a much simpler and lighter system. I have built guns with almost every name handguard (except larue because I refuse to use that brand) and they all get weighed before and after. However I weigh everything as it comes Bare, nothing mounted on it. My findings are that it is very hard to beat the value of a MWI SS. I am not bashing products but just reporting my personal findings. Edited August 20, 2011 by bpipe95 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Tischauser Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 (edited) Thanks for the info on the Samson. I'll keep an eye on mine now for sure. Do u have any hard numbers on the tube weights? Id love to see a comparison of all these popular tubes with numbers coming from the same scale. Its tough to compare the manufacturers spec numbers. The 2 or 3 that I have weighed always seem to be heavier than the manufacturers quoted numbers. Edited August 20, 2011 by Jesse Tischauser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Thanks for the info on the Samson. I'll keep an eye on mine now for sure. You should probably check it after every round fired, but only during matches, while on the clock... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan 45 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 (edited) I have a couple Samson Evolutions. I did have an issue with one sliding, but it was because I did not tighten the clamp screws enough when I first installed it. I gave them another 1/2 turn and it hasn't moved since. I don't use a bipod or vertical grip, so I can't comment on it putting pressure on the tube. But, shooting off barricades, trees, cars, tables and the back of a deaf mule has not caused any POI problems for me. edit for spelling! Edited August 21, 2011 by Bryan 45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpipe95 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 I have yet to try the back of a deaf mule. I should add that to my list of tests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Check out Post #13 on the Firebird barrel nut: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=121475&pid=1425526&st=0entry1425526 I am rather partial to the Carbon Feather handguard. It is very light and very durable. Unless you are going to get JP to Thermo-fit a barrel for you, the Firdbird nut offers the best accuracy available. The Carbon Feather is a simple direct bolt to the Firebird nut. How does the Firebird nut aid accuracy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serevince Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 (edited) I've been VERY happy with my Loki 15" aluminum hand guard. It's crazy light. I can't remember the exact specs, but it was lighter than several other makers carbine length hand guards. Edited August 22, 2011 by serevince Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbpt1911 Posted August 21, 2011 Author Share Posted August 21, 2011 I've been VERY happy with my Loki 15" aluminum hand guard. It's crazy light. I can't remember the exact specs, but it was later than several other makers carbine length hand guards. Thats the 14.5" Aluminum? looks nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Check out Post #13 on the Firebird barrel nut: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=121475&pid=1425526&st=0entry1425526 I am rather partial to the Carbon Feather handguard. It is very light and very durable. Unless you are going to get JP to Thermo-fit a barrel for you, the Firdbird nut offers the best accuracy available. The Carbon Feather is a simple direct bolt to the Firebird nut. How does the Firebird nut aid accuracy? Explained in the referenced post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krayons Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Just ordered the 15" Trx last friday I'd go with that or if u have the funds the PRI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serevince Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I've been VERY happy with my Loki 15" aluminum hand guard. It's crazy light. I can't remember the exact specs, but it was later than several other makers carbine length hand guards. Thats the 14.5" Aluminum? looks nice. Looks like they changed models. Mine is old style 15". Mine has ribs and 8 rail attachment points. New version looks smooth with 6? Vince Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagdrag Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I've been VERY happy with my Loki 15" aluminum hand guard. It's crazy light. I can't remember the exact specs, but it was later than several other makers carbine length hand guards. Thats the 14.5" Aluminum? looks nice. Looks like they changed models. Mine is old style 15". Mine has ribs and 8 rail attachment points. New version looks smooth with 6? Vince Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk Compared to past photos of their rifles, it looks like Loki switched from the ATI forearm to a Nordic forearm. I've been quietly wondering why they switched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45shooter Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Lancer has a new carbon fiber tube coming out. Very light weight and great durability. Many points to attach stuff to if you need to. check it out on their web page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whistlepig Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I have yet to try the back of a deaf mule. I should add that to my list of tests. Tip: make sure it is deaf and not just sleeping........ I'm just sayin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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