3GunRunner Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) With such a well rounded group of shooters here I wondered if people could help me with this curiosity I have on what are the 3 most prolific hand guard manufacturers in 3-gun and why. Thank you all for your answers. Edited October 9, 2014 by 3GunRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonF Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Don't know if you can narrow it down to only 3 specific make/models of HG as there are literally hundreds, if not thousands of options if you count all the lengths and variations and peoples preferences are all different and so is thier needs and budget. I think you can narrow it down to some common features that are more ubiquitous to the specific sport of 3-gun as opposed to what someone would put on a tactical, or budget carbine. - Free float - Long length (generally in the 12-15" range) - Simple, minimalistic, uncluttered, lightweight - Capable of adding piecemeal accessories to facilitate simple things such as short rail pieces for sights or sling/bipod attachments That rules out chunky quad rails, delta ring clam shells, and so on. From there, we have the good fortune of having a plethora of options for all needs, budgets and preferences to choose lengths, materials, options, brands, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Therealkoop Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 JonF has it down. Hard question, If I had one vote Id give it to the Sampson rail. Seems like everyone is running one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug H. Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 JP Seekins - Flat bottom Other? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 AP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Probably be more informative to do by brand than individual model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMXRACER Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 XL JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmt Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 In a motorcycle forum, the question would be "Which engine oil is the best?" 17 pages, 850 posts, and 7 years later, we are still looking for the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Yeah I had to resist the urge to chime in on this non productive thread. Dammit! It's a trap, I still got sucked in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 The why... There are a lot of McDonald's hamburgers sold...the most prolific is going to be decided by marketing and or price point and really has little if anything to do with quality. I see more DPMS aluminum tube HGs than any other and it has been that way since I started in 3Gun in 2005 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullauto_Shooter Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 XL JP +1 Maybe not the most prolific, but IMHO the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polymerfeelsweirdman Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 The Troy Alpha used to be pretty popular for a decent amount of time but now it seems like yesterday's news The most prolific are probably carbon fiber handguards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3GunRunner Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 If the question would be easier answered with brand rather then model, by all means use that term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan 45 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 I think you'll also see some regional differences. There aren't a lot of guys in the Southeast using handguards from many of the manufacturers in the Northwest. We all have our favorites- I'll tell you mine is the Samson Evo, but since I'm also great friends w/ the folks at Samson, that will come as no surprise. They make a good product and support almost every major match out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinT Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Around here it's Seekins (flat bottom), PRi, JP, Samson, Noveske. I also see AP Customs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alma Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 (edited) The carbon fiber are always popular. I like how the new Lancer ones look. I run the Seekins SP3R. Edited October 9, 2014 by alma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solidgun Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 For extra long unit, I really like how solid JP units are and you can see this with people that use them. I have a couple of 15.5" and there is no give when I flop it down on to barriers. I see Lancer and Seekins often too, but around my area, I see a lot of JP handguards. I used to choose Troy and Samson, but I like the texture on JP modular handguards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phidelt208 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 (edited) Seekins - Flat bottom are freaking awesome and Noveske, rails are super nice as well. Edited October 9, 2014 by phidelt208 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonF Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Is the commonality of JP handguards because people are buying them for thier ground up builds or merely because they come pre-packaged with JP Uppers and Rifles and those themselves are a common sight at 3-gun matches? I would vote the latter since there are plenty of other options available when doing scratch builds that are not JP-centric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob01 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Seekins SP3R V3 rail with the flat bottom is great for shooting off of anything. Used to use a rail forend and it was no where near as stable. http://www.seekinsprecision.com/parts-and-accessories/handguards/sp3rv3-mod-rail-16.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solidgun Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Is the commonality of JP handguards because people are buying them for thier ground up builds or merely because they come pre-packaged with JP Uppers and Rifles and those themselves are a common sight at 3-gun matches? I would vote the latter since there are plenty of other options available when doing scratch builds that are not JP-centric. Hard to say without looking close, but many I have seen had different lowers and muzzle brakes. Granted, I am in Minnesota and they are a local company. But from a few big matches I still see them used on custom builds. I really want to try the Seekins SP3R for extended period of time as I have only held and shot a handful of rounds with one. I can't see myself committing to a flat bottom, but I like the way it looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob01 Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 I really want to try the Seekins SP3R for extended period of time as I have only held and shot a handful of rounds with one. I can't see myself committing to a flat bottom, but I like the way it looks. You will like the way it feels and shoots off barricades/improvised positions more than the looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solidgun Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 I can see it being useful for that, but what if I need to angle it for slots to clear the scope? I guess I could rest it down all the way. Still an interesting idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoffB Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 I'm a pretty big fan of my seekins 3 gun rails. Wide flat bottom that lays out perfect and very stable on multiple obstacles. I can't think of anything that I'd rather fun on my 3 gun AR's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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