Insulation or Metal Heat Shield For the Lower Hand Guard?
Fellow Shooters:
The one time I took my VZ 2008 out shooting, I quickly noticed how hot the lower hand guard got, after only two magazines of slow firing (100+ degree temps in the full sun didn't help). I read somewhere that someone used automotive exhaust manifold insulation, wrapping it around the bottom and sides of the lower hand guard, and leaving upper half of the barrel uncovered for cooling thru the side slots. I don't know how effective this mod was, but I'm willing to try it, or something similar (expanding foam insulation in-a-can?). Since I would actually prefer that my hand guard area be as cool as possible, I'm even considering taking it a step further and wrapping the insulation completely around the barrel (but below the piston rod). I assume that the heat will be conducted further down the barrel and also into the receiver, but since I don't do rapid fire / mag dumps, I don't think it will be excessive. Am I overlooking something? Will my non-chromed barrel & chamber wear quicker from the increased heat?
If the wrap is a bad idea, is there anything wrong with making a metal heat shield for the lower hand guard, like the upper shield, leaving air space around the barrel? I don't understand why the Czechs didn't include such a shield, or the Russians for the AK 47 for that matter. I see the large holes & slots in the NEIT and FAB lower hand guard designs for cooling purposes, but don't those also radiate an uncomfortable amount of heat onto the supporting hand, requiring a glove? If not, I may consider drilling holes in my lower hand guard, if I can figure out how to do so without it looking ugly. I refuse to wear a glove in the summer, though I may start to use the magazine as a vertical fore-grip. Any advice, info, or comments are welcome!
Cary