seeking recommendations: AR-15 free float forend tubes

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maniak

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I recently took delivery on a Rock River "holiday special" and am very happy with everything about it ... except, I would not have put a quad rail on it had I had the option to go with a tube-style handguard instead. (Well, I suppose I did, but not on that package, so that option would likely have cost more and pushed delivery out into mid-2014 or later.)

As a consequence, I've been looking at Hogue's Overmolded Carbine Forend, the one with the rubber grip area. I like the idea of the more comfortable grip. I like the idea of a lighter weapon. I have no plans to hang anything from the forend rails. But I notice that two of the three reviews of this product at Brownells are negative, focusing on difficulty of installation. I don't mind leaving that to a gunsmith.

So, I'm coming to the experts (that's you ladies & gentlemen) with three questions:
  1. Thumbs up or down on the Hogue Forend?
  2. Similar comfortable, lightweight forends you like better (having no rails is not a requirement)?
  3. Are there any free-float forends you know of in the marketplace that a competent gunsmith would have trouble installing properly?
Thanks, all, for your input.
 
I'd look at many of the single piece modular free float tubes on the market. Then you have multiple grip options, and you can place that grip on the forearm wherever it's most comfortable for you. The MI Gen 2 SS mentioned by AKMtnRunner is one of the lightest currently on the market. Troy, Daniel Defense , and MI all make very good fore end options in my experience.
 
ugaarguy

I'd look at many of the single piece modular free float tubes on the market. Then you have multiple grip options, and you can place that grip on the forearm wherever it's most comfortable for you. The MI Gen 2 SS mentioned by AKMtnRunner is one of the lightest currently on the market. Troy, Daniel Defense , and MI all make very good fore end options in my experience.
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This.

Plus look at the Centurion CMR as well. It is pricy. If you want lite, then the carbon fiber tubes by AP Custom Tactical are very nice.
 
I'm in the same situation, and am thinking about the Midwest Industries SS gen 2.
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I ordered one of these 2 weeks ago. After 1 week they notified me that they are back ordered. I'm buying the mid length version to go on a fluted barrel upper build. I want a smooth clean tube without all the rails. I ordered the kit with 2 rails and the hand stop. I'll post pictures when the build is done.
My RRA Varmit A4 has the Rifle length Hogue tube on it. It's pretty simple and plain. It also adds weight to what is already a heavy gun.
 
Midwest Industries SS gen 2
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+1. I have it on my AR. Pretty solid and reasonably priced. To install free float tube, you will need to remove frt sight first, if you have standard frt sight on the rifle, which maybe a little trouble to do so, better just get an upper come with one.
 
I've got a Samson Evolution on an Adams Arms upper that I really like. Lightweight, slim contour, and a continuous top rail plus movable rail sections. I also really like the KAC URX III, which has a similar set up.
 
I plan on using the customizable free float hand guard from Yankee Hill Machine on my current build. It has good reviews everywhere I've looked and can go from completely smooth to fully railed depending on what you want.

I think I am going to go with rifle length with my 16" barrel with mid-length gas system, using the Yankee Hill low profile gas block.

http://yhm.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4_50
 
DPMS free float fore arm's on 2 AR's. Simple, light, and not expensive. No real options to add stuff to the fore end though.
 
Centurian22 said:
I've been looking into these for my first AR: http://jprifles.com/1.4.4_hg_mod.php I like the idea of having the comfortability of a smooth tube with the option of adding rail sections.

Here's one with a full length top rail and comes with three smaller modular sections: https://danieldefense.com/rail-systems/modular-float-rail.html
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I have the JP on my 6.8. I modified a MagPul rail to mount a varmint light on the side. I don't know that I would go that route again after using a Troy Alpha on another build.
IMG-20130222-00191_zps698309f1.jpg
 
I also use a Samson Evolution tube. It uses the existing delta ring for mounting, plus has index nubs that run up against the upper receiver so it won't rotate. It's a great system and certainly worth a look. Very light too.
 
I'm in the same situation, and am thinking about the Midwest Industries SS gen 2.
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I have several of these and they are my current favorite for my sporting ARs. Dunno how much heat haze from them would be an issue on fast heavy use rifles.

Being of such a small OD, you have to be careful to use a really low profile gas block. I like clamp-on gas locks better than set screw models, and wound up using a YHM model that angles the mounting screws diagonally to keep the diameter as small as possible.
 
I have the Midwest Gen. 2 SS on my truck gun and honestly, the attachment method doesn't seem to be well thought out. It clamps onto a knurled barrel nut and should the screws lose tension, it relies on loctite on the knurled section to hold it in place (I used Red). A single screw, drilled and tapped into the barrel nut would be a much better method for securing the tube.

It's a nice tube, but I won't be surprised if it slides off one day.
 
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If you are on a budget you can always search ebay for "AXC rail" They have a good variety of sizes and styles from quads to railed top with modular rails for a darn good price. I'm using a used 12" one I snagged super cheap right now on mine. Uses the same anti-rotational as YHM. They even have a slim free float that seems pretty nice but I'm perfectly content with my fatter free float and I have small hands.
 
Wow! Thanks to all respondents. These are far more and better options than what I had expected or hoped to find. Right now, the JP is looking really good to me (thanks for posting the pic, 68wj), but then so do the Midwest Industries, Daniel Defense, Samson, Troy and DPMS; so I'm a long way from deciding and further recommendations are still welcome and appreciated. But I'm also much closer to making a better decision than I'd have made on my own, and the Hogue is pretty much off the table. You guys rock!
 
I am also looking for a free float hand guard or maybe if I can find a cheaper copy of the ambush firearms hand guard
 
I'd go JP or MI. Forget Troy...they hire nutcases. The JP is good...tons and tons of people use it. The MI is a nice setup too and the panels are nice also. JP has a couple different versions although I think that one is only sold with a complete upper (not sure about that though). The MI is less money but it's pretty nice. You could also go with a lightweight keymod style setup but it's gonna add some money and some installation issues depending.
 
My only issue with the JP is weight. Their rifle length handguard weight is listed as .95 lbs (that's 15.2 oz), which is nearly an ounce more than an A2 handguard with associated hardware. MI, DD, and others have rifle length FF handguards that weigh the same or less than an A2 handguard & hardware. Otherwise, JP makes a great product, and the extra weight probably makes no difference to many folks. It's nice to have choices.
 
I have a Troy Alpha, from before they became hated, on my rifle and really like it. My install was a bit tougher than most since I had to remove the Yankee Hill barrel nut and replace it with a stock nut for the Troy to work. Other than that it was pretty easy.
 
AP Custom carbon fiber tube is on my 6.8 upper. Very lightweight, very cool looking. Simple installation.
 
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