AR Handguards ?

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Bazooka Joe71

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Alright, I've decided to put my AR 15 on a diet. Right now I have a quad-rail with a bi-pod, pistol grip and flashlight. Here lately, I've been shooting better by gripping the rifle by the mag-well/magazine opposed to the pistol grip.

Since I am getting rid most of the bells and whistles, I'm going to make it lighter as well. I've (I think) decided on one of these two handguards:

Here

or

Here

What would I have to put my rifle through in order to reap the benefits of the vented handguards?

Thanks.
 
Well, if you want a tube that is lighter than the issue handguards, the weight to beat is:

Carbine single-heat shield: 7.5oz (installed weight - includes weight of USGI barrel nut (2oz) and Delta ring and handguard cap (0.5oz))
Carbine no heat shield: 6.5 oz (installed weight)
M4 Double-heat shield: 8.9oz (installed weight)

If you are looking for the lightest possible free-float tube, then carbon fiber is the way to go (lightest one I know of is a Clark Custom Rifle length carbon-fiber tube cut to carbine length at 4oz).

I am guessing the rails you are looking at are around 10oz not including the barrel nut. If they have an aluminium barrel nut, they might come close to the installed weight of the handguards.
 
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Where in the heck can I find out the weight? When I was looking around, the weight was no where to be found.:confused:

I'm not really looking to spend $300 on some handguards, can you point me in the right direction to a somewhat cheap(er) alternative?

Edit: I just looked at the Clark Custom Handguards...Where could I find carbine length?
Thanks
 
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AFAIK, Clark does not make a carbine-length foreend. You can get a rifle-length one and *CAREFULLY* cut it to carbine length. Use a chop saw or bandsaw, slow blade speed, and wear eye protection, a respirator mask, and long sleeves. Don't breathe the dust.

- Chris
 
odd. i was told to use a high blade speed when i cut mine down. something about normal speed being too slow and causing the carbon fiber to fray somehow
 
Ah, well I doubt I'm going to be doing any cutting, so I'll just find another alternative.

BTW, no one has answered my original question really...My AR is going on a diet, but I didn't say how much I wanted her to lose...I just wanted to know what I'd have to put my rifle through in order to justify spending the extra $30.00+ for the vented handguards.
 
If you want a really light weight free float tube Carbon fiber float tube at $89 sure beats Clark's $300 tube.

I bought a couple for my LR308s and couldn't believe how light they are. The LR308 carbine tube was 5.2 ounces. And remember the LR308 is larger in diameter than the AR-15, so the AR carbon fiber tube will be lighter than the 5.2 oz.
 
Where in the heck can I find out the weight? When I was looking around, the weight was no where to be found

I was just guessing myself. You would have to ask DPMS to be sure; alternatively, you can download the "AR15 Weight Spreadsheet" from The Maryland AR15 Shooters website. It has a nice database of weights and lets you "assemble" your AR and see what the final weight will be. It isn't spot on; but it comes pretty close usually.

It lists the DPMS carbine carbon fiber float tube as 6oz.
 
I was just guessing myself. You would have to ask DPMS to be sure; alternatively, you can download the "AR15 Weight Spreadsheet" from The Maryland AR15 Shooters website. It has a nice database of weights and lets you "assemble" your AR and see what the final weight will be. It isn't spot on; but it comes pretty close usually.

It says I have to sign in to MSN to go to the AR-15 Assembly, Part, and Accessory Weight Table.:confused:

'm not sure about the weight...but those thing feel very very light, i handle one at a gunshow a few weeks ago

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Gun-G...QQ69006_QQ3025

Anyone know what that weighs? It's not free float is it? I'm looking at/for free float more than I am looking at weight.

The quad-rail I have now is the M44S...Anyone know how much it weighs(save me the hassle of taking it off right now)?

Once again, I'm not looking to break any records for having the lightest AR 15 (I have an HBAR). I'm a big guy and a little extra weight here and there doesn't bother me at all, but if I can save a few ounces here and there then great. All I am looking for is for it to be free float and if it has a bi-pod stud that would be a plus, for when I want to mount its bi-pod back on it.

BTW, how much heavier is an HBAR?

Thanks
 
According to the AR15 Weight Spreadsheet,the M44S with no rail covers weighs 9.1oz installed weight (with USGI barrel nut and delta ring).

According to the same spreadsheet, free-float tubes that are lighter or as light as are:

Clark Custom Carbon Fiber - 4oz
Daniel Defense 7.0 w/aluminium barrel nut - 8.5oz
DPMS Carbon Fiber - 6oz
Hi-Perform Carbon Fiber Standard - 7.4oz
Hi-Perform Carbon Fiber Ultralight - 5.7oz
Knights Armament URX 7.0 - 8.9oz
YHM Carbine Customizeable Tube w/no rails - 9.5oz

Anyone know what that weighs? It's not free float is it?

No, it doesn't free float and the shipping weight is listed as 16oz here making me think it is a little on the hefty side. Since it also needs a USGI barrel nut, delta ring and handguard caps add another 2.5oz.

Another thought would be to add more weight to the stock (either by putting something in the stock compartment or buying a heavier stock). A lot of times a heavier rifle that balances well feels better than a lightweight rifle that is nose-heavy.
 
According to the same spreadsheet, free-float tubes that are lighter or as light as are:

Clark Custom Carbon Fiber - 4oz
Daniel Defense 7.0 w/aluminium barrel nut - 8.5oz
DPMS Carbon Fiber - 6oz
Hi-Perform Carbon Fiber Standard - 7.4oz
Hi-Perform Carbon Fiber Ultralight - 5.7oz
Knights Armament URX 7.0 - 8.9oz
YHM Carbine Customizeable Tube w/no rails - 9.5oz

Now that's what I'm talking about...Just get right down to it!;)

Another thought would be to add more weight to the stock (either by putting something in the stock compartment or buying a heavier stock). A lot of times a heavier rifle that balances well feels better than a lightweight rifle that is nose-heavy.

I'll definitely have to give that a try before deciding on a new handguard.
 
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