Keymod free float handguard AR15

I don't know much about cheaper options. When I built mine I looked around quite a lot, explored a whole bunch of options, and then decided that the Midwest Industries LWM-15 was really what I needed to make it just what I wanted.



I think that's the same one you're looking at now, except mine's M-Lok instead of Keymod.

I'm not sure what's changed with the G3 version, but everything else seems identical.

And when they say "lightweight" they really MEAN it!

I really like my UTG free float tube. They have Keymod and models where you attach rail sections as needed with screws. Price is hard to beat.

Odenworks and Guntech have similarity priced offerings, I've used and liked each of these on a 9mm SBR build as the UTG were too slim for the suppressor to fit inside, its the "super-slim" UTG handguard's small diameter that made me try it, I don't think there are any slimmer out there.

What steered me away from the Midwest was the "clamp" at the base, which would make me position a vertical grip a bit further forward that I'd like, may not be an issue for you.


Check our these three. I got my Guntech for $100 at a gun show.

M-Lok vs. Keymod is a tough call at the moment, But odds are at the present time what you have to attach is likely Picatinny anyway I don't consider either or screws to attach rail section an advantage or disadvantage.

Just curious, but you'd position a vertical grip in the first inch or two of the tube? That's almost back to the old idea of gripping the mag well.

I'm more of a "get big on the gun" sort of shooter (support arm far forward) so that had never ocured to me.

The BCM KMR and their flashlight mount are both sweet. I have the old cob by YHM handguards used by RRA too, and the KMR is a huge improvement, most notably in slimness and hand comfort. The BCM flashlight mount is the best I have tried so far. It is minimalistic, strong, and puts the light in the right spot for push-tail cap operation.

Just curious, but you'd position a vertical grip in the first inch or two of the tube? That's almost back to the old idea of gripping the mag well.

I'm more of a "get big on the gun" sort of shooter (support arm far forward) so that had never ocured to me.

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I'm not generally fond of vertical grips, but the one place they really work well for me is with longer range standing shots -- think of the "old school" Schuetzen rifle "palm rest". You stand somewhat awkwardly bladed to the target, lean back, thrust the target side hip out and put the elbow in the "nook" formed and use the palm to support the gun. I'll put my palm on the magazine bottom in a pinch if I'm attempting such a shot, but a vertical grip a bit further forward works better for me. Its a steady position, although rather quickly fatiguing, but ts fast to get in and out of.

Not that I shoot that style much but I find it better than a "hasty sling". Prone is not an option most of the places I shoot as you can't see the targets through the weeds, often even kneeling its an issue.

Forward on the gun works great in close where the gun swings large arcs to engage multiple targets.

There is no one "best" way to always shoot.

But for rails, I generally only mount two short sections one as far forward as possible the other as far back as possible and keep a QD vertical grip and bi-pod in my shooting kit.

Here is a decent photo showing how and why the basic idea occurred to me many years ago:
http://www.shootingusa.com/SIGHTING_IN_SHOWS/29-16_SCHUETZEN/29-16_schuetzen.html

Ahh! Thanks, that makes things a lot more clear. I used to shoot 3-position smallbore so I'm very familiar with that position. Never thought of using a VFG as a palm rest, though! Cool.

I just put a BCM Keymod 15" on one rifle and loved it so much that I put one on my RRA as well, replacing a big old Hogue that I didn't like at all. The BCM Keymod is really nice - it's light, it's small in diameter and it attaches very nicely without clamping screws hanging below the barrel. Love it. Take a look at them.

If you're not locked into KeyMod, then also include M-LOK FF tubes in your search. I just received a blemished ALG 15" EMR V2 rail yesterday and I'm impressed with the quality and light weight. The machining is amazing and installation looks easy, no torque wrench needed. The normal price is $165 but the blem was $50 off. Shipping from ALG is free 2-day priority mail. Also, I can't find the blemish. The 13" and 12" versions are a little cheaper.

I have a KeyMod rail as well but like the looks of the M-LOK better. As far as function and weight the two formats are similar.

I wish they'd end this crap between M-LOK and Keymod and pick one as a standard. I love magpul but I'm having a hard time buying rail just to add their stuff when other companies make direct Keymod connection accessories.

Hanzo581 said:

I wish they'd end this crap between M-LOK and Keymod and pick one as a standard. I love magpul but I'm having a hard time buying rail just to add their stuff when other companies make direct Keymod connection accessories.

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Actually, you can buy M-LOK accessories that bolt directly on (with no picatinny rail). Just like KeyMod. The systems are incompatible but otherwise offer the same strength, light weight, comfort, thinness and public domain (not proprietary) standard over heavy Quad Rails. But you're right, this needs to move to one standard and it appears that will be M-LOK.

As long as you have the attachments you need there is no big reason to dump KeyMod. I'm keeping my single KeyMod but won't buy another.

I am not familiar with Mlok, never even seen one. Is It OE from any mAnufacturer? The KMR is from BCM, and BCM uppers are very common, so they seem to be everywhere.

Welding Rod, M-LOK is a Magpul designed system they are licensing for free.

The Guntec USA float tubes are nice, especially for the price, but the cheap tool they ship with them now to put on the barrel nut is useless. It slipped and marred the nut. I've read numerous reviews from others indicating the same. I had to use a Crescent wrench. Thankfully the mar is covered by the tube itself. The 12" one was ~$78 shipped from CheaperThanDirt.

I wish they'd end this crap between M-LOK and Keymod and pick one as a standard. I love magpul but I'm having a hard time buying rail just to add their stuff when other companies make direct Keymod connection accessories.

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To add to Quentin's reply, you can even get M-LOK to Keymod adaptors:
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1346
or a direct M-LOK mount tactical bottle opener.
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1335

I bought the Guntec specialty tool, since my handguard tool was not included.

If you buy a Guntec handguard, I'll let you borrow the tool - all you have to do is pay for shipping.

Let me know. You will need the tool if you want to put torque on the nut and actually measure it. The flats on the nut are weirdly sized.

BTW, I really love my Guntec fore-end.

Welding Rod said:

I am not familiar with Mlok, never even seen one. Is It OE from any mAnufacturer?

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Yes. It seems like M-Lok is everywhere now; most companies that used to only make keymod free-float handguards now also make M-Lok handguards as well. And rifle companies like Colt, Daniel Defense, Knights Armament, Smith & Wesson, and many others make rifles that come standard with M-Lok handguards.

At this point, there's almost as many different types of attachments available for M-Lok as there are for keymod, and at this rate M-Lok will probably overtake keymod in popularity soon.

I think M-Lok is better than keymod. In my experience, M-Lok mounts more solidly to the rail than keymod. Also, M-Lok attachments can be flipped over if needed, whereas keymod attachments only go on one way.

Some KeyMod stuff is reversible. And as long as you install it correctly, KeyMod is fine.

I've had a lot of KeyMod parts now, never had a problem with any of them.

I got this one off eBay. I got it for 65 bucks. Seams pretty good. I usually run Yankee hill and was trying to keep cost down on my rifle.