Need help determining what handguard length I need.

[JBrady555]

Hello folks I'm almost done building my first upper and need some advice on handguard length. I have a 11.5" stainless bcm barrel and I'm going to either put a kx3 or levang on it. I'm not sure exactly how long I'll be with the muzzle device but I would like my handguard to reach all the way to the brake. I like the look plus either or these devices seems very large and I think being able to see where it attaches to the smaller diameter barrel won't look as good. So that said what length quad rail is gonna do the job of covering all the barrel? Thanks for any info.

 

[ugaarguy]

All the way to the back of the brake, partially over the brake, or nearly to the end of the brake?

Edit: An 11" hand guard will put you just a little over the back of the brake, so if you go 11" or longer make sure the hand guard ID is larger than the brake OD.

 

[JBrady555]

Thanks. Now I just need to source one. Seems like alot are either 10" or 12".

 

[JBrady555]

http://images2.powerreviews.com/med...ages_customers/08/89/48507824_416639_full.jpg

This picture is the look I'm going for. Do you think a 12" spikes lw bar2 with a kx3 will get me where I want to be? I heard that the kx3 on my 11.5" barrel gives me a oal barrel length of about 13.7".

 

[MistWolf]

Try the Gunstruction site of on arfcom http://www.ar15.com/gunstruction/

 

[Arizona_Mike]

This is one of the most confusing parts when it comes to building uppers and it depends on where the wrench flats of any muzzle devices you may want to use are located. Assuming the worst case, you hand guard actual length should be at least 3/4" of the nominal/legal length (boltface to crown) of your barrel. For example, on my 300 BLK upper, my 9" hand guard clears the threads of my 10.5" barrel with about 1/2" to spare (It's actually a little more but 10" would be too long).

Mike

 

[JBrady555]

Well I got the 12" spikes bar2 and the kx3. We'll see how it goes.

 

[courtgreene]

If you're careful you could always buy it long and cut it to size.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

Well I got the 12" spikes bar2 and the kx3. We'll see how it goes.

Good chance your 12" is standard rifle length (about 12.4"). As long as you don't need access to the wrench flats you should be fine.

Mike

 

[JBrady555]

Thanks for the help guys

 

[brian923]

Pics......

 

[JBrady555]

I'll be sure to post pics when I get it all together