Dewberry Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 im almost finished with my 3 gun build, one of my last steps is selecting a handguard. What makes one handguard better for 3 gun over another Since I'm going with a spr profile barrel I would like to stay on the low weight side for the handguard. I need to be able to attach a light to the side (for the occasional night match), also a bipod, for hunting or some target fun. Plus would like to keep options open for things down the road like offset sight ect Because of this im leaning toward a keymod rail, but what makes one keymod better than another? Proprietary barrel nut/ attachment? I'm open to all suggestions and advice, please share your knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blairmckenzie1 Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Lancer. All of my AR'S wear em. Take your pick, Round or Octagonal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solidgun Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 I have tried many of them my fav used to be Samson. After browsing through many different brands this weekend at a TX gun shop I now want the new JP RC handguard. Not too big and not too small and the texture is just great. Too bad I don't have any builds planned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleaay78 Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Bravo Company KMR...strong, light, key mod, great barrel nut/rail interface, general awesomeness...it's my fav by far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iggy42 Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Depends on you really, my first 3 gun AR I ran an MI tube. I just put a Lancer on my new build, but lately I have been really taken with the Centurion hand guards due to their size (smallest I have seen so far). Down side to the Cent is that you have to use their low pro gas block because they are too tight to the barrel for a standard low pro. With weight as a concern the Lancer Carbon Fiber would probably fit the bill. I have also heard good things about the Carbon Arms CF hand guard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reptoid Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Bravo Company KMR...strong, light, key mod, great barrel nut/rail interface, general awesomeness...it's my fav by far +1 Lighter than most, if not all, if you include barrel nut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 (edited) What makes one handguard better for 3 gun over another In my opinion the handguard has two big jobs to do. First it needs to be a good fit as an connector between your hand and the rifle. Seeing how you mostly aim with your "weak" hand that is pushing the handguard, it needs to be long enough, narrow or thick enough, etc to act as a conduit for proper control. Secondly it needs to protect your barrel from touching anything else so it needs to be log enough so you can rest against props and so on without touching the barrel, so it also needs to be rigid enough and far enough from the barrel to avoid contact. Once the handguard does those two things, you can worry about its weight and balance and lastly about what can you attach to it because mostly we just need somewhere for a sling and very rarely a light. Brands, attachment types, materials, looks, all of those are driven by fit, freefloat and balance. At least that's how I think of it. Edited February 1, 2015 by Vlad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sschultz Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 I like a flat bottom or sides for barricades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthyBlagga Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 In the southern states, heat management is a biggie during the summer months. Aluminum is worse than CF. Smaller diameter is worse than larger diameter. If running aluminum, thinner material with lots of holes will cool quickest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LikesToShoot Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I like a flat bottom or sides for barricades. The AP Rhino has this along with KeyMod and M-lok. http://apcustomusa.com/product/tactical-rhino-series-carbon-fiber-handguard/# Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtm Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Kind of to echo Vlad, two jobs....free float the barrel....and. NOT INDUCE ANY STRESS TO THE UPPER where the barrel and barrel nut attach! Some free float designs almost seem designed to induce stringing and group opening as this junction warms. Third job is not to conduct heat well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxima Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 AP CF is one of the best options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spd522 Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 AP, Samson, Lancer, and JP all give tons to the sport. They deserve your support in return. They all work excellent and it is really personal preference on looks and feel. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushmeat Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Kind of to echo Vlad, two jobs....free float the barrel....and. NOT INDUCE ANY STRESS TO THE UPPER where the barrel and barrel nut attach! Some free float designs almost seem designed to induce stringing and group opening as this junction warms. Third job is not to conduct heat well. Some long and skinny handguard designs tend to flex enough to touch the gas block when pushed into a barricade. This can induce stringing. Also a consideration if, as OP stated, he wants to put a bipod on it. Some designs require a backer plate and while you think you may have clearance, when you slam down on the bipod and your barrel vibrates from the shot, backer plate and gas block can touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedward Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 The SLR Rifleworks SOLO Ultra Light Series are lightweight, up to 16.5" long and have both Keymod and MLOK avalible. They have nice hand stops for same hand positioning, carbon fiber panels and they make great Adjustable Gasblocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthyBlagga Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I like a flat bottom or sides for barricades. Consider the Gibbz Arms handguard then; hexagonal cross-section, easy access to front gas adjustment, sturdy construction, and the lightweight version is not too heavy (though not CF-light either). I have been running a couple of the lightweight 15.5" version for the last year and they have worked well for me. Here is one of the rifles, built with a Gibbz side-charging upper: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langenator Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I'm liking the look of that Gibbz...I was looking at a Seekins for the upper I'm working on, but I may reconsider. Is there a way to attach a barricade support to the underside? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dewberry Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 how concerned are yall with the type of barrel nut the handguard uses? most companies have stitched to propritary barrel buts now, are there any ones to make sure i stay away from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 If you are interested in a sidecharge upper, take a look at the Crosshill Tech upper. Basically same as the LAR which isn't available any more since Remington bought LAR. JoeBob outfitters handles them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthyBlagga Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I'm liking the look of that Gibbz...I was looking at a Seekins for the upper I'm working on, but I may reconsider. Is there a way to attach a barricade support to the underside? The handguard comes with several rail sections that attached from the outside in a pretty slick way. Can also be used to attach a bipod stud directly, and presumably also a barricade support, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langenator Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 And the Gibbz plus a Noveske barricade support looks like it would cost roughly the same as a Seekins by itself, and well less than the BCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dewberry Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 Well I went with the SLR ultra light. I'll let y'all know how I like it when it shows up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 AP makes a really good carbon fiber one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOOM Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Inducing Stress to the receiver as the barrel nut heats up. Never thought of this, sooooooooo what the fix Kurtm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langenator Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Well I went with the SLR ultra light. I'll let y'all know how I like it when it shows up. What length, and with what length barrel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now