AR-15 free float Handguard

[Dravur]

I am looking for a new Handguard system for a Carbine Length AR. I have the Midwest Industries 2 piece free floating tube on there now, but the screws stripped out after one range session.

Here is the link to the one I got....
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=70

I was not happy that this handguard destroyed itself.


Here are the reqs for what I am looking for now.

Must replace the barrel nut.
Must be one piece. (I realize the Barrel nut is another piece, but the foreend itself must be one piece.)
Free Float tube.
Don't necessarily need rails.

Would be great if it came farther up the sides to cover the sides of the FSB.

Would like to stay under $200 but if its over, ill give it a look.

oh, also, needs to be freaking durable. This last piece of junk was not.

 

[rbernie]

I like the YHM lightweight railed tube, and the YHM 'customizable' plain tube for fighting carbines.

I like the Model1Sales plain tube for hunting rifles.

 

[mathecb]

Larue and Daniel Defense make the best rails avaliable for what you want. They are durable and rock solid. You will not be dissapointed with either purchase.

 

[rbernie]

Do Larue and DD make non-railed tube under $200?

 

[Dravur]

Price isn't the overriding theme here. I would LIKE to keep it under $200 but hey, If it is over, I can handle it. I just want a good solid performer as this is for my SBR and I really want to make this a nice weapon.

I am running a 10.5" LMT upper. So, I want something rock solid and also have a good look to the gun. I am running a Noveske Pig Flash Hider on it.

I have a Mag Pul CBR stock and MIAD grip in Flat Earth on the gun now. I like the flat earth foreend from Daniel Defense. I wonder how close the colors are?

 

[rbernie]

Does the upper have a pinned FSB on it? If so - are you fixing to remove/replace it? (If not, you'll want to keep the barrel nut in place and look to a DD Omega or similar...)

 

[Dravur]

im going to take the FSB off, install the new forearm and put either a new FSB back into place or maybe a block with a flip up sight.

 

[Tarvis]

The best thing to do would be to go through YHM, DD, Larue and any other manufacturers website and check their products for yourself. There are a ton of options that will work well, but we don't know what you think looks good.

 

[Shung]

I am very happy with my Daniel Defense Mfour handguard !

on my conversion upper I have a YHM and in my opinion they are the best comprmise.. less pretty than DD, but much cheaper.

 

[Chris Rhines]

If you are not dead-set on a quad-rail float tube, give the JP VTAC modular handguard a look. http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.4.php

It is incredibly tough, infinitely configurable, and not too expensive.

- Chris

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

If you want a good carbon fiber handguard, Hiperform makes a good one.

They are very strong and durable. I have carbon fiber handguards on a couple of my AR15's.

 

[Taurus44]

This may be slightly off topic, but how did the MI tube's screws "stripped out after one range session"?

 

[Dravur]

Im not sure. The only thing I could determine is that the Steel Screws stripped out the aluminum frame. There may have been torque on the foreend etc. All I know is. Ill never get another Steel into Aluminum connection system. It just failed on me.

When I installed the two piece system, you have to torque the screws down tight to make the system stable. So, the screws are really set in there. Perhaps when we were shooting the gun, the pressure from the hand holding the foreend and the bullets firing caused enough torque to strip the screws on one side. I just know I would never buy another one of these two piece free float systems. It was basically a $180 lesson.

 

[rob_s]

Would agree that the V-Tac from JP would best meet your needs
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/st...-TAC MODULAR FREE-FLOAT HANDGUARD/RAIL SYSTEM

 

[Taurus44]

Hmm. I have an MI rail on my SBR and it keeps ticking. It's been used pretty hard as well. That's why I was wondering.

 

[Picard]

Can't you return your old one as a manufacturer defect? Most things aren't supposed to break after one use.

BTW, I just ordered a rifle kit with a YHM lightweight free float handguard. I'll post pics when I get it tomorrow. From what I've seen, it looks like a really nice handguard and, at $120, the price is excellent.

http://www.del-ton.com/Handguards_p/hg1027.htm

 

[Taurus44]

I've got a YHM light-weight 4-rail tube on one AR, and the customizable forend on another. YHM makes good stuff.

But I would second the thought of sending the MI tube back. They'll most likely stand behind it, and the one I have has been great, so maybe you got a lemon.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

Spend a few extra bucks and get the LaRue. Durable as hell, won't turn, and you get a fantastic beverage entry tool.

 

[Dravur]

I sent Midwest Industries an Email over the weekend about it, but have not heard anything back. This is the second one I have had. The first one would not fit together at all.. one hole was out of alignment. They did take that one back and sent me this one.

I think I am done with their products. Your mileage might vary and I am in no way giving them bad press. It could very well be I got 2 lemons in a row and/or I did something to this one that made those screws strip. Maybe I over tightened them. All I know is everything was tight when I went to the range and now it isn't and no way to make it tight again.

If they stand behind it great, if not, I learned my lesson and will never use a two piece free float tube again.

I am really looking at either the Daniel Defense rail or the V-tac system. I kind of like that. That is why I posted this, to find some system I had never thought of or heard of.