ar15 free float handguard

tahunua001 · January 24, 2020, 08:06 PM

hello all,
I am getting ready to build a 300 blackout carbine and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a handguard. I am looking for a light weight, free floated handguard with a top rail and the ability to attach a sling swivel and not much else. also who does a decent but affordable trigger group?

FrankenMauser · January 24, 2020, 09:25 PM

I really like the Midwest Industries 'Super Slim' series. No extra rails or clutter. Just a simple, light FF tube with an upper rail and built in QD swivel sockets.
They're small, though. If you don't like a small fore end or want to use a big gas block, it won't work.

I'm running LaRue MBT triggers in a few things now. Absolutely no complaints for the money. Honestly, they're on par with several other $150+ triggers that I have.

DnPRK · January 25, 2020, 02:24 AM

Aero Precision makes a nice light free float handguard which meets your needs.

44caliberkid · January 25, 2020, 08:36 AM

I like Midwest Industries guards also. CMC or Rise Armament triggers when they're on sale, around $115.

odugrad · January 25, 2020, 10:42 AM

I'm a big fan of the BCM rails. Either the MCMR (M-Lok version) or KMR (keymod option).

For triggers, depends on what you want. The BCM PNT is a good upgrade from your standard stock trigger. The Larue MBT is very affordable for a 2-stage trigger.

tahunua001 · January 25, 2020, 12:09 PM

thanks for the suggestions thus far. looking over aero precision, and midwest, both make similar looking handguards that weigh nearly identical, but Aero costs less than half of midwest. I usually am a bit leery of Aero since I always equate them with ultra cheap stripped lowers, but I've never had a problem with their lowers and never used any of their other offerings. how are they in terms of quality?

for use case, this build is just going to be a truck gun, so it doesn't have to look pretty or set up hunting camp for me or anything fancy. it is going to be an iron sights build so the handguard just needs to stay put once mounted.

for triggers, some online (i'm sure paid) reviews recommend velocity triggers. they are listed online for $130 but everywhere I'm seeing they are closer to $190. does anyone have experience with velocity or would I be better off just getting a sub $100 trigger for the price point?

kymasabe · January 25, 2020, 05:45 PM

Odin works ragna is nice, but a little rough on the hands. My personal favorite right now is aero atlas s-one.
And my go-to trigger is hiperfire EDT ss or EDT hg.

Polinese · January 25, 2020, 06:30 PM

The new larue rails are only a hundred bucks and use the same mounting system as their previous quad rails.

rickyrick · January 25, 2020, 06:43 PM

Some will ring like a gong, especially solid tubes. It may be an issue for some. I also have a now discontinued AeroPrecision keymod and it’s light as a feather.

DnPRK · January 26, 2020, 02:21 AM

I have multiple Midwest Industries handguards and multiple Aero Precision handguards. The quality of both is excellent and either will serve you well.

Of late I would give the nod to AP since MI dropped its line of 18" handguards.

TrueBlue711 · January 27, 2020, 01:07 PM

Look up Stngr. They only sell through their own website to remove the "middle man". Costs are about $110-$130 and quality is superb. I have 3 of them.

zukiphile · January 27, 2020, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Look up Stngr. They only sell through their own website to remove the "middle man". Costs are about $110-$130 and quality is superb. I have 3 of them.

Do the screws thread into the aluminium handguard, or are there steel nuts involved?

sevt_chevelle · January 27, 2020, 09:30 PM

For a trigger Id go with a Larue MBT. Ive got hand guards from BCM, Aero and MI, BCM hands down has the superior mounting system. MI has a nice light weight rail, the light weight Aero rail IMO sucks, has a funky shape. My money goes to BCM.

Simply Triggers · January 28, 2020, 10:14 AM

Velocity has two different types of triggers the MPC is the one that costs around 190 and then they have the Classic which is 150 but you can find online for $134.95 with free shipping.

dyl · January 29, 2020, 01:43 AM

I just got done with a 10.5" 300 blackout myself. I kind of wish I went down to 8, but my goal was quietness.

Aero precision has the Atlas R-one which has a continuous top rail. I went with an S-one which I am kind of regretting, which has a majority top surface as smooth for a "C-clamp" hold. Both are slimmer than the M4E1 rail/upper set, which has M-lok everywhere but is kind of chunky. Not as chunky as a quad rail though.

On my precision build I went with the Larue MBT-2S. It's technically a 2 stage, but in comparison to most pistol triggers, it's nice. I wanted to try the straight trigger, and it feels great. Not saying it's better than curved triggers, but no complaints.

Geezerbiker · January 29, 2020, 04:04 AM

Strangely enough there are several options for a free float AR handgard on eBay. I bought one awhile back for around 40 bucks that seems pretty well made...

Tony

January 24, 2020, 08:06 PM	#1
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,823	ar15 free float handguard hello all, I am getting ready to build a 300 blackout carbine and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a handguard. I am looking for a light weight, free floated handguard with a top rail and the ability to attach a sling swivel and not much else. also who does a decent but affordable trigger group? __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

January 24, 2020, 09:25 PM	#2
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: Potatoes and Hops Posts: 12,380	I really like the Midwest Industries 'Super Slim' series. No extra rails or clutter. Just a simple, light FF tube with an upper rail and built in QD swivel sockets. They're small, though. If you don't like a small fore end or want to use a big gas block, it won't work. I'm running LaRue MBT triggers in a few things now. Absolutely no complaints for the money. Honestly, they're on par with several other $150+ triggers that I have. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

January 25, 2020, 12:09 PM	#6
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,823	thanks for the suggestions thus far. looking over aero precision, and midwest, both make similar looking handguards that weigh nearly identical, but Aero costs less than half of midwest. I usually am a bit leery of Aero since I always equate them with ultra cheap stripped lowers, but I've never had a problem with their lowers and never used any of their other offerings. how are they in terms of quality? for use case, this build is just going to be a truck gun, so it doesn't have to look pretty or set up hunting camp for me or anything fancy. it is going to be an iron sights build so the handguard just needs to stay put once mounted. for triggers, some online (i'm sure paid) reviews recommend velocity triggers. they are listed online for $130 but everywhere I'm seeing they are closer to $190. does anyone have experience with velocity or would I be better off just getting a sub $100 trigger for the price point? __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

January 25, 2020, 05:45 PM	#7
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,424	Odin works ragna is nice, but a little rough on the hands. My personal favorite right now is aero atlas s-one. And my go-to trigger is hiperfire EDT ss or EDT hg. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.

January 27, 2020, 01:07 PM	#11
TrueBlue711 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Posts: 465	Look up Stngr. They only sell through their own website to remove the "middle man". Costs are about $110-$130 and quality is superb. I have 3 of them. Last edited by TrueBlue711; January 27, 2020 at 01:16 PM.

January 25, 2020, 02:24 AM	#3
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,903	Aero Precision makes a nice light free float handguard which meets your needs.

January 25, 2020, 08:36 AM	#4
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 492	I like Midwest Industries guards also. CMC or Rise Armament triggers when they're on sale, around $115.

January 25, 2020, 10:42 AM	#5
odugrad Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2013 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 468	I'm a big fan of the BCM rails. Either the MCMR (M-Lok version) or KMR (keymod option). For triggers, depends on what you want. The BCM PNT is a good upgrade from your standard stock trigger. The Larue MBT is very affordable for a 2-stage trigger.

January 25, 2020, 06:30 PM	#8
Polinese Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2010 Posts: 748	The new larue rails are only a hundred bucks and use the same mounting system as their previous quad rails.

January 25, 2020, 06:43 PM	#9
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 7,547	Some will ring like a gong, especially solid tubes. It may be an issue for some. I also have a now discontinued AeroPrecision keymod and it’s light as a feather.

January 26, 2020, 02:21 AM	#10
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,903	I have multiple Midwest Industries handguards and multiple Aero Precision handguards. The quality of both is excellent and either will serve you well. Of late I would give the nod to AP since MI dropped its line of 18" handguards.

January 27, 2020, 09:30 PM	#13
sevt_chevelle Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Posts: 174	For a trigger Id go with a Larue MBT. Ive got hand guards from BCM, Aero and MI, BCM hands down has the superior mounting system. MI has a nice light weight rail, the light weight Aero rail IMO sucks, has a funky shape. My money goes to BCM.

January 28, 2020, 10:14 AM	#14
Simply Triggers Junior Member Join Date: January 27, 2020 Posts: 1	Velocity has two different types of triggers the MPC is the one that costs around 190 and then they have the Classic which is 150 but you can find online for $134.95 with free shipping.

January 29, 2020, 01:43 AM	#15
dyl Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,126	I just got done with a 10.5" 300 blackout myself. I kind of wish I went down to 8, but my goal was quietness. Aero precision has the Atlas R-one which has a continuous top rail. I went with an S-one which I am kind of regretting, which has a majority top surface as smooth for a "C-clamp" hold. Both are slimmer than the M4E1 rail/upper set, which has M-lok everywhere but is kind of chunky. Not as chunky as a quad rail though. On my precision build I went with the Larue MBT-2S. It's technically a 2 stage, but in comparison to most pistol triggers, it's nice. I wanted to try the straight trigger, and it feels great. Not saying it's better than curved triggers, but no complaints.

January 29, 2020, 04:04 AM	#16
Geezerbiker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2011 Location: Willamina, OR Posts: 1,241	Strangely enough there are several options for a free float AR handgard on eBay. I bought one awhile back for around 40 bucks that seems pretty well made... Tony

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