[Zundfolge]

Why is it that you never see AR15s with the old triangular M16-A1 style fore grip?

http://www.valkyrieair.com/images/m16a1s.jpg
(hell, I had to take the image from an Airsoft site)

Aesthetically I think they look much better then the modern style ones.

Is there some functional reason why nobody seems to use them?

[Nightcrawler]

They won't fit on heavy barrels. Nobody makes an A1 (or A2) weight barrel for commercial AR-15s anymore. All barrels are heavy barrels.

Why they don't make ones that WILL fit heavy barrels? *shrug*

[Kaylee]

For what it's worth, a friend of mine who used to do gov't armory stuff prior to the changeover period once groused that one half of the forearm always broke more than the other.. hence he'd have a pile of left forearm halves in his parts bin, and no right halves...or...um.. maybe the other way around. :o

Point is, apparently the A2 circle profile solved that problem.


-K

[BigG]

When you are playing army, the triangular are more fragile. I broke a few hitting the dirt. They are also mirror images so you need to stock left and right. The round ones are identical so only one part.

Triangular also look way cooler, imho.

[Nightcrawler]

The average AR-15 shooter isn't going to be hitting the dirt much anyway. Nor does he have to worry about parts standarization.

If they were fragile, they could be improved. Make them better. What shape they are has nothing to do with how strong they are, I wouldn't think.

[Jeff White]

Nightcrawler said,

They won't fit on heavy barrels. Nobody makes an A1 (or A2) weight barrel for commercial AR-15s anymore. All barrels are heavy barrels.

Not true, Colt's and Bushmaster both make a lightweight and A2 profile barrel.

When the Army adopted the M16A2 in 1985, they stopped production of most spares that could be used on both rifles interchangably. This was strictly to simplify logistics. You can find a lot of M16A1s out there with M16A2 furniture.

The triangular handguards were more fragile, the tabs on the top tended to break off, I don't remember how many broken tabs it took to make them unservicable. The wind did then to whistle theough them making an annoying sound...

As to why noboday makes them, it's simply that there isn't sufficient demand for them. I'm sure that if enough people wanted them, somone would step up and produce them.

Jeff

[Nightcrawler]

Not true, Colt's and Bushmaster both make a lightweight and A2 profile barrel.

May be.

But the problem is, Bushmaster's is, AFAIK, a stand-alone barrel, not even installed on an upper receiver, available in pre-ban configuration only.

Don't know about Colt, except that apparently they're overpriced and aren't GI spec for some reason.

[Jeff White]

Nightcrawler,

You can order an upper or complete rifle from Bushmaster in any configuration you want. I'm not sure if the A2 contour barrels are only available in preban configuration or not. I do know they produced some lightweight post ban Dissapator models.

As for Colt's not being MILSPEC, what's MILSPEC? You could argue that any AR15 (except for the originals) aren't MILSPEC. Unless they are select fire, they aren't MILSPEC. All the AR15 manufacturers pick and choose as to what's MILSPEC. Most Bushmasters come with 1/9 twist barrels...definately NOT MILSPEC, no matter how many gun rag articles Chuck Taylor writes stating they are :rolleyes: . Colt's new production uses a larger pin size for the fire control parts. Not a big deal, many manufacturers are making hammers and triggers to fit the bigger pins, including match triggers.

Price is a subjective matter. Overpriced to you or me may be reasonable to others..they sure sell enough to make me think that a lot of people don't consider them over priced.

Jeff

[BigG]

The round handguards were standard on the original carbine version of the M16/SP1. They just scaled it up for the 20" bbl.

[Detritus]

Bushmaster sent me the following near the end of last week when i inquired about a post ban configured non-Hbar barrel for an A1 clone i want toe build......

We have just started producing the 16" Lightweight barrels in post ban style. This link to the barrel http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/barrel-assemblies/abbl-16sla.asp has the post ban when you click on the options arrow. A complete post ban 16" Superlight A1 upper with charging handle and bolt carrier assembly is part number PURA1B 16SL for $505.00.
Next month we should have our 20" A2 government profile post ban barrels. They will have the lightweight profile under the handguard http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/barrel-assemblies/abbl-20a2.asp like the current military pre ban barrels.
Thank you.

so postban versions of the lighter weight barrels ARE on the way.

[Nightcrawler]

You can order an upper or complete rifle from Bushmaster in any configuration you want.

No, I don't think you can. You think if I wanted an M16A1 clone, in post-ban config, complete with thin barrel and A1 buttstock, they'd send me one? I doubt it. (That is the only AR-15 I"d really be interested in, though.) According to their website, the ONLY A2 profile barrel they have is a preban.

Who's Chuck Taylor? When I say "mil spec" I was referring to parts compatibility. Frankly, I think the postban M4 clones you see these days are silly. I've heard that for some reason the Colts use different pin sizes and/or have parts compatibility issues, for some reason. I never looked into it because I'm just musing here and don't intend to buy another AR-15 anytime soon, and thusly that's just what I heard. I had thought that they used a different sized pin for connecting the upper and lower receivers. Don't know if this is true or not and can't imagine why they'd do that if it is.

Price is subjective, sure. $999 for an AR-15 is overpriced. I don't care if it's hand assembled by monks on a mountaintop in Tibet. But that's my opinion.

[AK103K]

I have A1 stocks on my AR's. I like them better than the A2, especially the shorter stock. The triangular hand guards will fit a heavy barrel, I have a set on my heavy barreled Dissapator. You need to do a little trimming on the liner where the extra gas block is, cause this wont fit. Northridge has A1 stock sets off M16's for $20 a set. Thats stock, handguards and grip. They are in good shape and are great for paint projects. I'm working on an ASAT set right now. I also did a set in Brownells Aluma Hyde II in OD. Its real close to Armalites OD in color and holds up well. It looks more like it was made that way than painted.
You boys are probably getting tired of this pic, but its a set in Flectarn on my Dissapator, if I get a hold of the company camera, I'll get a new one. :)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid49/p1a70b26fa18d062fa50b3c5254af723c/fcaf5493.jpg

http://northridgeinc.com/ar15_m16.htm
about halfway down the page.

[AR-10]

Another Dissipator gone A-1.

http://www.picturefuse.com/images/0103/13990.jpg

[Nightcrawler]

I dunno...I guess function before form, but that just looks funny. Like the barrel was sawed off.

I'd verymuch prefer a 20".

[AK103K]

I have both. The 16" barrel is definintly handier. I like the full sized handguards over the shorter ones, I dont like the barrel poking out. I just wish the barrel was a lighter profile as the heavy barrey really is heavy. I know some argue the longer sight radius is more accurate, but I dont think its really an issue on this kind of rifle. Whats strange is, the Dissapators gas block is back where a 16" barreled gun is, rather than forward where it should be, but then theres a dummy where the front sight is, figure that out. Mines a preban and has a flash hider. Helps with the funny look. :)

[Zundfolge]

AR-10's Dissipator is PERFECT ... EXACTLY what I want!

Now I gotta save my pennies and get me a Bushmaster Dissipator and find the A1 forearm :)

[CWL]

If you wanta carry the real thing, join the CA National Guard. No. CA units are still armed with these.

[carp killer]

I like the triangular hand guards too. Off the bench they seem more stable sitting on a bag. They fit on the standard barrel (heavy profile ahead of the sights, thin under the hand guards). I got my set of tri guards from M&A parts. They were brand new. With the shorter A-1 butt stock and A-1 fixed sight upper, the AR looks pretty cool IMHO.

[modifiedbrowning]

I'm with AR-10 and Zundfolge. I love my Dissipator, but I think the Triangle hand guards are much more aesthetically pleasing. Where can I buy some? Anyone? Bueller?

[Joe Demko]

They most certainly do fit a heavy barrel. Picked up a set of used A1 handguards at a gunshow for $9 last fall. A quick scrubbing with simple green and they looked nearly new. Popped right on to my 24" Bushmaster, too, with no modification needed. Hardest part about it was getting the A2 handguards off. Might have to buy one of those handguard removal tools...

[AR-10]

Where to buy A-1 handguards?

Here's (http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=552440B&chrSuperSKU=552440) one source. I haven't tried these folks. Got mine at a gun show.

[AK103K]

Northridge has the whole set for $20. They are in real good shape and will clean up as they are.

http://northridgeinc.com/ar15_m16.htm
about halfway down the page.

[CmdrDick]

Just noticed the M16-A1 messages and happen to have 30 sets of the triangular forearms that came with some M16 stocks and M52 grips. They got buried in the warehouse for a couple of years and we just came across them. I'd really like to dump the whole case, but if someone needs a single set we can trade or $$.
http://www.dilette.com/main/dilettesales/Sporting_Goods.html

[madcratebuilder]

old triangular M16-A1 style fore grip

Lot of guys are using these. They fit the BM HBAR just fine. Only time I've seen them broken is when a Huey landed on a guys rifle.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/retro02.jpg