AR Handguard Length Question

[BSA1]

Are free float handguards the same length as the barrel after they are installed on the upper?

For example suppose I install a 16" barrel. Will the front of a 16" handguard be even with the muzzle (front) of the barrel before the barrel has a flashhider, etc. put on it?

Or let me reword my question this way. Suppose I want the handguard be even with the muzzle (front) of the barrel after a flashhider, etc. has been put on. Lets say the flashhider adds 1" making the barrel overall length 17". Will a 17" handguard match the length of the barrel with the flashhider on it?

Flip side. Suppose I want the handguard be longer than the barrel. The muzzle of the barrel is inside the handguard. My concern would be how well the flashhider would hold up with the flame and blast of the round when the gun is fired.

Would a flash suppressor such as Flaming Pig direct the blast far enough forward to avoid damaging the handguard?

The reason I ask this simple question is I get confused about the description of the barrel and handguard on some of the pictures I see posted on the Web. I will most likely be using free float handguards on my future builds so I am looking at the different handguards and flashhiders / flash suppressors. etc.

 

[Varminterror]

No, they are not the same relative length. The handguard starts forward of the barrel, such, a 16” handguard would stick out past a 16” barrel.

Usually, yes, a linear compensator will take the blast forward of the handguard, if the two are the same physical length.

Handguards get destroyed every day by unwitting “builders” who want the handguard to be longer than the front of the muzzle device. Make sure your blast is forward of, or at least even with, the end of the handguard.

 

[AlexanderA]

Are free float handguards the same length as the barrel after they are installed on the upper?

They vary in length. I have a Yankee Hill Machine free-float handguard on one of my guns with a 20" barrel. It's the same length as a regular A2 handguard. The FSB is in front of the handguard.

 

[BSA1]

Thank you for the replies. I suspected as much. So for the front of the flashhider to be even with the front of muzzle it would be a matter of mixing and matching parts.

 

[badkarmamib]

Thank you for the replies. I suspected as much. So for the front of the flashhider to be even with the front of muzzle it would be a matter of mixing and matching parts.

Yes, but as @Varminterror said, if your flash hider has slots on the side, and your handguard is beside those slots, you will soon be searching for a new, shorter handguard. A Flaming Pig should not have those slots, but most other types do.

 

[BSA1]

Got it. I suspected that some of the photos I have seen was for show and tell rather than practical use in real life.

 

[Skylerbone]

Also consider hand placement with a set up like that; hot gasses being expelled sideways right where you may be tempted to grip it. Then you may be searching for a new shorter handguard to match your new shorter fingers. Also take note that OAL may differ considerably from useable length and often that info is omitted. Just last week I made a call to Luth-AR to check dimensions and while the cs rep didn’t know, he was kind enough to offer to check one from stock. Turns out I had a whole 1/8” to spare.

If you look at this PSA upper you can see they installed a flash can on an 8.5” barrel with a 10.5” rail. I’ve seen one of these in person and I actually like that it nearly fills the front end of the rail, like a handguard cap on traditional 2-piece guards.

 

[Demi-human]

Got it. I suspected that some of the photos I have seen was for show and tell rather than practical use in real life.

Exactly...

Everything was assembled, just showing off the compensator.
I don't have a picture of it cut down yet. The fifteen inch forearm was the same price, and now sits exactly flush with the muzzle.

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