Are Rails Woth The Extra Money Ar 15
Prepare to upgrade your AR-15 with a new handguard? Or choosing the perfect 1 for a new build?
We'll assist with decisions such as going drop-in vs free-float or KeyMod vs G-LOK.
By the end, you'll know the all-time handguard to get for your specific purpose and budget.
Be it a get-go build or something purpose-built for lightweight run-and-gun…or even dark vision.
Tabular array of Contents
Loading...
M-LOK vs KeyMod
Ane of the starting time decisions you'll make is which zipper system…Thousand-LOK or KeyMod. It used to exist personal preference but recently USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command) released their results of testing.
And M-LOK is the clear winner due to much better impact test results.
Best Gratis-Floating Handguards
Your best bet if you are building your ain AR-15 upper.
Complimentary-floating handguards give yous an accuracy advantage since it doesn't contact the barrel…so your hand position and extra gadgets such as bipods don't bear on barrel harmonics.
Plus, y'all tin can choose any handguard length if you take the right low-profile gas-block for information technology to go over. I personally similar ~12″ handguards with 16″ barrels since I use the c-clench grip.
To get a better grasp on the best length for you, check out our guide to choosing the proper handguard length.
1. STNGR United states of america Handguards
The STNGR VYPR is the handguard that recently bumped Aero off my Best Bang-For-The-Cadet handguard list.
You become a actually nice 13.5″ One thousand-LOK handguard for ~$135 and a 15″ for a few bucks more than.
The VYPR is the near "standard" looking one and what I'd recommend.
Install was standard and at that place'due south some stiff feeling anti-rotation tabs built into the handguard.
Fit/finish/colour were acme notch and my only initial worry was that the pinnacle cuts were too aggressive/large and so a finger could slip through.
However after a bunch of mags I establish that information technology was fine (unless y'all have really thin fingers). And no problem if you C-Clench grip information technology.
Cheque out the video:
The logo isn't besides pronounced either which I like.
Plus there'due south sometimes some blemished versions then you can salvage fifty-fifty more if you lot don't care to accept a "perfect" rail.
Best Bang-For-The-Buck Handguard
134
at STNGR
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
Best Bang-For-The-Buck Handguard
- Length: xv″
- Full Weight: 11.v oz
What's your take on VYPR?
*Update* The bottom-railed VLCN has get the basis of our night vision build (later on a lilliputian paint job).
And we love information technology…the slick upper side makes information technology like shooting fish in a barrel to mount buttons.
Check out how modular it can be in our Cable Direction video:
Want a trivial more than style?
There'due south the HWK handguard which gives a more than aggressive "prong-ed" look and the ability to add a light/laser to the bottom with the included track.
I think it could await actually cool with a fourteen.5″ pinned barrel then information technology sits flush with the cutout.
Plus information technology's only a few bucks more than the VYPR for the 13.5″ and fifteen″ variants.
139
at STNGR
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
I also tried out their rails covers which are definitely more than affordable than other proper name brands. Comfy and absurd looking too.
I personally like the expect of the Cyclops more but the Gecko is probably the more useful one to maintain a good grip.
Check out all their stuff at STNGR.
2. Aero Precision ATLAS
All-time Bang-For-The-Buck Handguard
140
at Aero Precision
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
All-time Bang-For-The-Buck Handguard
Ane of my electric current favorite all-time-bang-for-the-buck free-floating handguards (but at present my 2nd option).
Here information technology is on their new upper that I'm testing (full review).
I love how it saves weight past not having a full Picatinny rail on top.
Plus the taper at the front end perfectly fits my thumbs.
Note that the top where the rail would have been is rounded so if you're thinking of putting a pressure pad for lights…y'all're out of luck.
Otherwise the toll vs fit/experience is perfect.
- Toll: $149
- Length: 12″
- Handguard Weight: 7.0 oz
- Barrel Nut Weight: 4.seven oz
- Total Weight: 11.7 oz
And at present Aero has the full-rail version if you have more gizmos that demand attaching.
Only negative about the Aero handguards is that sometimes (especially later a seasonal sales) they are out of stock for a while.
149
at Aero Precision
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
3. Midwest Industries Combat Handguards
149
at Brownells
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
This latest generation lightweight handguard includes a full Picatinny rail on top. If yous need to attach more things…this is our favorite choice.
Comes with 7 sides of M-LOK attachment capability.
I've been using the older version of this (non M-LOK) for years as my primary contest rifle handguard. Bank check out the left two uppers.
- Toll: $189
- Length: 12.625″
- Full Weight: ix.ix oz
iv. UTG Pro M-LOK
145
at Optics Planet
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
My previous favorite for best Blindside-for-the-Cadet handguard until the Aero came along. Simply nonetheless a groovy handguard if yous're looking to salvage a petty and still go on the full top rail.
The UTG Pro is U.s.a.-made and comes in 13/fifteen/17 inch variants. So it's great if you're looking for slightly longer than 12″ models or a 17″ for longer barrels.
Hither is the 13″ on my 11.5″ pistol upper.
- Price: $145
- Length: thirteen″
- Total Weight: 11.3 oz
5. Yankee Hill Car Quad Rail
Best Gratis-Float Quad Rail
119
at Brownells
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Best Free-Float Quad Rail
If you're needing lots of Picatinny real estate…the perennial favorite YHM has got you covered. "Burglarize" length is equal to 12.6″ but will cost you a couple more than ounces in weight compared to M-LOK varieties.
- Price: $160
- Length: 12.vi″
- Total Weight: fifteen.ii oz
half-dozen. Brigand Arms Carbon Fiber
Lightest Handguard
296
at Brownells
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
When you admittedly positively take got to accept the lightest handguard. Information technology was the best performing Past FAR in our Lightest Handguard roundup.
Combined with a pencil fourteen.5″ butt…this AR was nearing v lb territory.
But keep in heed that you won't be able to add together annihilation to it…and since it is cylindrical all the way through…yous're going to have a harder time bracing against barriers.
- Price: $296
- Length: 12.four″
- Handguard Weight: 2.ix oz
- Barrel Nut Weight: 1.four oz
- Total Weight: 4.three oz !!!
vii. Resurgent Artillery Carbon Fiber Handguards
Looking for a more cost-effective carbon fiber option with only a slight increase in weight? We're earthworks our Resurgent Arms handguards.
They come in two flavors and we've tried out both. Ane is the more "regular" version with less ambitious cuts.
But at present they have their "ultralight" editions. Both versions work directly with Aero Enhanced uppers so you can mount straight to the upper.
Check out their ultralight cut butt nuts too. Make certain when you torque these to be on the flat part otherwise you might get a stress fracture.
179
at Resurgent Arms
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
Honorable Mention Complimentary-Float Handguards
Aye…there'due south going to be a lot of disagreement in the listing. Hither's some of the honorable mentions that are sure to pop up.
I've seen them around a lot in competitions but either didn't like the look, feel, or cost combination.
- Bravo Visitor (BCM)
- Daniel Defense force
- Geisselle
- Troy Industries
Drop-In vs Costless-Floating Handguards
If you have a delta ring and a front sight base (FSB)…your best bet is to become with a drop-in unless you want to shave down the FSB and remove the delta band.
Yous're also limited in handguard length by the FSB. Hither's a couple of the almost popular lengths.
Many of them come in ii pieces, which are placed on the gun and are screwed together to prevent the need to take off the barrel.
The biggest advantage of going with a drop-in handguard is simplicity.
You shouldn't demand to make whatever modifications to your AR-15 when installing a new drop-in handguard, and since they've got a relatively simplistic design, they're usually cheaper than their gratuitous float counterparts.
Best AR-fifteen Drop-In Handguards
Nearly Affordable Drop-In Handguard
33
at Brownells
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Nigh Affordable Driblet-In Handguard
First off, if yous're looking for a fancy handguard with extra frills, the Magpul MOE Yard-LOK isn't for you.
Equally yous can probably tell past its price, this handguard is pretty simplistic – and for expert reason.
What you get with the 1000-LOK is a heat-resistant polymer handguard that'south hardy enough to handle your clanging and banging and comfortable enough to grip onto.
Despite its simplistic design, the M-LOK has slots on its ii, 6, and ten-o'clock positions where you tin can mount an optional Picatinny rail arrangement. Just what you're really getting when you go for the M-LOK is a lightweight handguard that can withstand anything yous throw at it.
At $33 for a mid-length gas system…I remember that'due south a good deal.
- Price: $33
- Length: 9.2″ (Mid-Length)
- Total Weight: 8.7 oz
1. Midwest Industries Two-Slice Drop-In Handguard
Best Overall Drop-In
119
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
Another winner from one of our favorite manufacturers. The driblet-in version is M-LOK uniform and available in a couple gas organisation lengths.
- Toll: $130
- Length: ix″ (Mid-Length)
- Total Weight: 6.6 oz
2. UTG Pro Super Slim One thousand-LOK
105
at Optics Planet
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
Looking for the easiest manner to add a longer runway and nonetheless continue your FSB? The Model 4 is the perfect solution (albeit a heavier 1).
- Price: $105
- Length: fifteen″ (Mid-Length)
- Total Weight: 14.1 oz
three. Troy Industries Quad Rail
160
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Want the additional rail space? Go with the Troy Industries Quad Runway.
- Cost: $160
- Length: 9″ (Mid-Length)
- Total Weight: — oz
Pricing
Notation…I don't accept any "cheap" rail on this listing. I've tried out a bunch of great deals I've found at gun shows and especially on Amazon and Ebay. The rail look corking when they come up in…but something has always been off:
- Attachment system sucks (besides heavy, too many screws, etc)
- Doesn't marshal correctly to the upper receiver
- Picatinny runway are non mil-spec (stuff doesn't fit onto them)
I have a box of holsters and cheapo rails now that sit in the back of my shed. Larn from my fails…you get what you pay for in rails.
Build It and Shoot Information technology
At that place y'all accept it.
That's my list of the best AR-15 handguards for your AR-xv.
How did we do? Whatever experience with the ones we listed? Or did nosotros seriously miss some great ones?
And if you're just getting into guns and are in the beginning stages of learning well-nigh the AR-xv, you might want to check out our comprehensive AR-fifteen guide . At that place, you'll learn everything in that location is to know about shooting, maintaining, and customizing your AR.
Source: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-ar-15-handguards/
Posted by: coonsnaturawrove.blogspot.com
0 Response to "Are Rails Woth The Extra Money Ar 15"
Post a Comment