I was wondering if someone could school me on some of the purpose behind some of the AR-15 handguards. I can understand some of the newer modular handguards, but some (to me at least) just look ugly and very uncomfortable.
I could be using the wrong terms here, but I see 5 main types:
1) The M16A1 style handguard, which I don't really see used on modern rifles. Why did that fall out of favor?
2) The M16A2 style handguard, which appears to be slightly tapered towards the front. Why was this chosen over the A1?
3) Nowadays the most common mall ninja handguard is the quad rail, or at least a railed handguard. I understand the allure here, as I wanted one for a while.
4) The magpul MOE, or other non-standard modular handguards. I actually think I like the look of this.
5) What I call the "pipe" handguard, these basically look like a metal tube that someone thought "I think my AR barrel and gas tube will fit in there, might as well use it." What is the purpose of these? The A2 style looks so much better IMHO.
Anyway, I'm just trying to find out mainly why the older style of handguard (#1) fell out of favor and why #5 even exists. It is a biased/abrasive question but I'm hoping for honest answers.
I could be using the wrong terms here, but I see 5 main types:
1) The M16A1 style handguard, which I don't really see used on modern rifles. Why did that fall out of favor?
2) The M16A2 style handguard, which appears to be slightly tapered towards the front. Why was this chosen over the A1?
3) Nowadays the most common mall ninja handguard is the quad rail, or at least a railed handguard. I understand the allure here, as I wanted one for a while.
4) The magpul MOE, or other non-standard modular handguards. I actually think I like the look of this.
5) What I call the "pipe" handguard, these basically look like a metal tube that someone thought "I think my AR barrel and gas tube will fit in there, might as well use it." What is the purpose of these? The A2 style looks so much better IMHO.
Anyway, I'm just trying to find out mainly why the older style of handguard (#1) fell out of favor and why #5 even exists. It is a biased/abrasive question but I'm hoping for honest answers.