How is the UTG free-float handguard?

[benEzra]

The paying-more-for-more-features calculus holds true when buying cars, knives, free-float rails, gemstones, computers, or any other consumer commodity.

Alloying aluminum is not something you do in-house; if you are a manufacturer, you buy blanks from Alcoa or from a forge, and you pay more for higher grade alloys. The stronger alloys are slower to machine than the softer alloys. The best heat treatment takes more labor hours and more equipment time than lower-grade heat treatment, and may require more expensive equipment. That cost is passed along to the consumer.

If you don't like the car analogy, though, fine. Look at knives. Some people find that a $9.95 Ozark Trail field knife from Walmart meets their needs fine, and some find that a Buck, Schrade, or Gerber meets their needs better. Neither one is wrong. Or look a bike frames, where some buyers very rationally pay ten times the cost of a steel frame for something that is no stronger, just much lighter.

I'm not saying that your UTG handguard is a bad choice; obviously for your needs/uses and preferences, it's a great choice. On the other hand, it would be entirely rational for someone who wants or needs a lighter rifle to pay more for less weight.

 

[wally]

the extra price is worth the milspec parts and higher QC

Blind obedience to "milspecs" and "QC" is how we end up with $400 toilet seats and $600 hammers!

 

[Arkady]

They work.

I've owned UTG, YHM, Daniel Defense, and KAC--I use Daniel Defense, now.

If all you want to do is mount a light and/or a vertical grip, the UTG unit will serve you just fine. They are heavier than the competition, but are substantially cheaper. They are not free floated, however--if, like me, you mount your sling to the hand guards, this may well be an important factor.

I wouldn't recommend them, considering that there are quite a few superior rails available for only a little bit more money, but they're functional.

 

[C-grunt]

Blind obedience to "milspecs" and "QC" is how we end up with $400 toilet seats and $600 hammers!

Its not blind obedience if you want and understand what the "milspec" parts do better than the cheaper ones. Like a properly staked and tested BCG.

Take Bushmster for example. They make a good AR and a fine rifle, but I wouldnt call one "battle ready". I have owned 3 and probably wont buy another unless its a hunting rig.

My dept duty rifle is a Bushmaster. My dept bought them because Colt, the usual purchase, was having back log issues. Out of the 20 or so Bushy rifle in my 4 day rifle school, at least 4 broke. Including mine that broke twice. The trigger system was out of whack which gave me a set trigger that I had to push forward after every shot. Then my safety lever was out of whack and was so tight I would have to adjust my grip to move it. Since this my dept has gone back to Colt rifles and we havent had an issue with any of them as far as I have heard.

My friend has a flat top Bushy that he cant properly sight in because they put on the wrong front sight and he ran out of adjustment.

Now as far as feeding and firing, they have been great. Also pretty darn accurate too.

BVut for now on, I am willing to pay the extra little to get the propper parts and better QC.

 

[WardenWolf]

I went hunting with a UTG / Leapers scope mount on my Saiga, and a UTG / Leapers scope. During the course of the hunt, I dropped the 10-pound rifle onto a rock directly on the scope's eyebell and ruined it. The glass survived, but the tube was bent, and I doubt any scope would have survived it. The mount was perfectly fine, though. I've dragged one of those mounts through the bush, and I know it can take it. In my opinion it's just as good quality as the BP-02 mount, and I have both (the BP-02 is for my PSL).

Everything I've seen shows they're an up and coming company. A lot of their stuff is very good quality at a low price point. Some of it may not be as nicely polished as other stuff, but it gets the job done and doesn't break your bank. One of their rifle cases is the ONLY case I've found under $80 able to carry a scoped Dragunov-style rifle. Other "assault rifle" style cases were just too short. The quality on the case is great, too. I've used their products, and they work well without breaking your bank.

 

[RyanM]

I've owned a few UTG products. Absolutely horrible fit and finish, large casting flaws visible everywere, and screws that were so weak that over-tightening them could snap them in half, in one case.

Imagine if the Century Drunken Monkeys got a 20 year old, worn-out, 100% manual machining setup, and some melted down Coke cans from Bob's Discount Metal Warehouse, and you have some idea of the piles of metallic crap I've had, that were made by UTG.

Those things aren't even good enough to go on an airsoft gun.

 

[JDGray]

If your life depends on your rifle, buy the best you can get, which isn't UTG. If its a recreational plinker, buy the UTG and more ammo with the savings