LaRue Tactical or Yankee Hill handguard?

[Frog48]

This topic has probably been rehashed countless times, but I couldnt find much using the "search" function...

I was checking out the LaRue Tactical website, and took a look at the install instructions for their railed handguards. I'm interested in them, so I can add a vertical grip to the front of my Bushmaster carbine (M4 style).

I'm a newbie to AR15's, and it looks like the installation of the LT handguard (one piece) is more involved than most other brands (which are usually 2 piece). Is this something that someone with a moderate level of handiness and basic hand tools can do, or is a gunsmith more suited for this?

The Yankee Hill 2-piece handguard install looks alot easier. YH is less expensive too.

Locally the only railed handguards I can find are Leapers and Command Arms, both of which I've not heard much about, in regards to quality, durability, etc.

What do yall recommend?

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

1] DO NOT buy any Leapers or other Chinese-made rails like Midway's AR stoner rail. They are out of spec junk. Many have threading issues, other's are not straight, some you cannot clamp on quality picatinny devices...

2] I'd get the YHM rail. I have one myself. The only sacrifice you make is weight. They are heavier than Larue, Troy and Daniel Defense. However, they also cost less than 1/2 and do the same thing. They all take some effort to install.

3] I really like the installation of the YHM. All you need is a standard barrel wrench (the kind that has 3-prongs like the GI wrench works great). Tube screws on, then there are 2 side set screws that go into grooves that prevent rotation in addition to the lock nut at the rear. It is very solid.

4] I got the full rifle length Yankee rail for $130 from Bravo Co (an AR15.com advertiser). That's only $20 more than the chinese-knock offs, but 10x the quality.


5] Don't get me wrong, the Larue is great quality. If you have the money and don't mind - the Troy, DD and Larue are better in finish and quality as well as resale than the Yankee. In terms of performance, they're not other than the lesser weight and smaller diameter. That's what you're paying more for. Troy is probably the easiest to install of all of them. If money is no object, the Daniel Defense is probably the ultimate because it is the lightest and I like light. However, for me, weight was not a concern for the 20" rifle I was putting together and I did want to keep costs down. Therefore the YHM gave me the freefloating I wanted with the option for a rail. If I were going to rail my super-light Colt, I'd get the DD without question. But I don't need a rail to add a pistol grip. Instead, I added a GG&G rail to the bottom of the handguards and then attached a pistol grip. It is very sold (at least on beefy Colt handgards). I can yank on it with lots of strength and it doesn't budge. Accuracy is not a concern on a 16" rifle built for close range and speed. It still does 2moa with 75gr TAP. Which is why I don't care to free float it.



Just some ideas and thoughts about rails and what people consider.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I've been pretty happy with the YHM rails on one of my ARs.

 

[Frog48]

Thanks guys!

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I think the Larue is a better rail than the YHM; but the YHM is a great value for the money. Most of the extra cost of the Larue rail is just better finish, 100% knowledge that everything is in spec and true, and a bit lighter weight. I'd also speculate the Larue is better able to handle abuse; but I haven't seen anyone damage either tube using anything remotely like normal use.

 

[blackhawk2000]

If all you care about is a VFG, then go with YHM. It's a decent rail for the money. If you want the best, that won't rotate, and is a free float, then go Larue.

 

[Taurus44]

I have a YHM 4-rail tube on one of my ARs and I love it! My next AR (6.5 Grendel) is getting a YHM 4-rail (lightweight, 1 piece) tube as well. They've recently redesigned their rails to eliminate the old rotating problems, so don't let that worry you.

 

[Onmilo]

I have a Yankee Hill two piece rail handguard on a full size 20" Govt. profile barrel upper.
It is slightly heavier than other rail guards but not by much and it is quite a bit less expensive.
This isn't a free float tube, it installs like regular handguards.
It cowitnesses perfectly with the EGW flattop upper and it really can't rotate because the upper handguard fits tightly against the gas tube assembly.
I suppose if somebody applied enough to a forward vertical handgrip they could rotate it out of alignment but they would trash the gas tube and probably shear the f.v.h.g. off doing it.

I just mount a light and a f.v.h.g. and I normally shoot this rifle at things closer than 400 meters so this system works fine for me.

I have a 16" carbine that I may add a one piece free float tube to.
It has a First Samco rail guard on it now that has actually proven more durable that I thought it would be but I want something different.

 

[gdvan01]

Midwest has rails that seem to be reasonably priced, no personal experience with them myself though.

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/

 

[flynlr]

if free float isn't your thing then have a look at the Surefire M73
easy install and rock solid. I have put thousands of rounds downrange with this
installed and I cant move it without tools.