Handguards, Handguards, Handguards

[Garet Jax]

Hello all,

I have found quite a few "levels" of handguards and wanted to see if anyone here has had experiences with any of them or suggestions:

1) Matric Arms Free Float 15" M-Lok $54
2) NBS Free Float M-Lok 15" $60
3) PSA Partial Pitcanny M-Lok 15" $110
4) Aero Precision Atlas One M-Lok 15" $135
5) BCM MCMR M-Lok 15" $160

There are handguards well beyond the $160 price point, but IMO they suffer from diminishing returns. The #2 level has hundreds and hundreds of great feedback so it is hard to ignore. I am finding it difficult to justify going to 3, 4 or 5.

Are there other handguards I should consider or thoughts on the ones listed above?

 

[Bertfish]

I have the Matrix Arms 15" on a 9mm PCC. Shockingly well built for the price. Very thin and light. IIRC Matrix is OEM for something else

Edit: per @JTH20 Matrix is an OEM for some FN parts

 

[akalma]

I would suggest to take a look at AR-STONER V2 Free Float M-LOK Handguard

AR-STONER V2 Free Float M-LOK Handguard AR-15 10 Aluminum Black

The AR-STONER™ V2 Free Float M-Lok Handguard features multiple positions for securely mounting popular M-Lok accessories. The handguard also...

www.midwayusa.com

Also 10" sometimes is more preferable as it is lighter than 15"

 

[Bertfish]

My absolute favorite in terms of look and feel is the Diamondhead V-RS T. They're not particularly light though if you care about weight above all else.

 

[alucard0822]

Have seen and experienced a lot of spec issues with the low-end, usually the mounting hardware. Aero's ATLAS are good, nice and slim, good mounting setup, but does need the barrel nut to be clocked. Midwest and Aero are my go-to for building decent stuff on a budget.

 

[jrumann59]

I was surprised about the Matrix Arms handguard. I really had low expectations when I installed my 1st one. I have used Matrix, Midwest, Diamondhead, Aero, Spikes and a few others I cant remember. I would use them all again. I would pick Aero because if want FDE or OD besides black is the only reason.

 

[SkiPatrolDude]

Personally I would go with either the Aero or the BCM rails from the ones you mentioned. The barrel nut and barrel nut lockup is vastly superior to the others.

That said, if all you are after is an ultra basic rail, then any of these will likely be ok.

One more to consider is Stag Arms rails. They are made by Aero and have the exact same barrel nut lockup design, but they often sell a few bucks cheaper and also sell blems for even more of a discount. The one blem my friend got, we couldn't find the blem.

You can easily google 10% off coupons for both Aero and Stag.

 

[Garet Jax]

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Thanks folks. I ended up going with the NBS handguard based on the 485 reviews (99% were 4 or 5 stars). I also got the BCM barrel and Larue trigger so wanted to save some money on other pieces. I ended up deciding to try the NBS upper to go with the Aero lower. I will report back when I get everything and see how it all goes together.

 

[trickg]

I've used the 12.5" version of the PSA on two builds. I kinda like it - seems to do ok. I didn't buy it in FDE - I colored it that way with Brownell's Aluma-Hyde II.

 

[jrumann59]

I am working on 1 stamp PHoney Badger with a Spikes Receiver Set, 11.5" Ballistic Advantage Barrel, Aero BCG, bought a Shockwave Blade Brace so I can do the mock-up and stay legal before the Suppressor that will be pin and welded. Will probably throw 1x8 LPVO on it. Depending on the mock-up the configuration may change slightly.

 

[Garet Jax]

I've used the 12.5" version of the PSA on two builds. I kinda like it - seems to do ok. I didn't buy it in FDE - I colored it that way with Brownell's Aluma-Hyde II.

View attachment 386587

Very nice!

 

[Garet Jax]

I am working on 1 stamp PHoney Badger with a Spikes Receiver Set, 11.5" Ballistic Advantage Barrel, Aero BCG, bought a Shockwave Blade Brace so I can do the mock-up and stay legal before the Suppressor that will be pin and welded. Will probably throw 1x8 LPVO on it. Depending on the mock-up the configuration may change slightly.

Sounds like a great build.

 

[jrumann59]

Sounds like a great build.

Depending on the mock up I may change out the non-firing folding adapter for a Strike Industries PDW Stock once the stamp and the suppressor gets pinned and welded.

 

[Garet Jax]

Depending on the mock up I may change out the non-firing folding adapter for a Strike Industries PDW Stock once the stamp and the suppressor gets pinned and welded.

Pinning stamp and suppressor is the next topic I want to read up on.

 

[Garet Jax]

The NBS just arrived and I am very pleasantly surprised. I will report back when I build it all.

 

[Garet Jax]

OK - installed the NBS handguard. Pretty satisfied with the end result. The fit is quite good. The only issue I have is that barrel nut seemed to be a non-standard connection. I ended up using a crescent wrench to tighten it. I don't have a torque wrench for a crescent so I wasn't able to tighten it to the correct tension. Is that an issue?

 

[outrider58]

OK - installed the NBS handguard. Pretty satisfied with the end result. The fit is quite good. The only issue I have is that barrel nut seemed to be a non-standard connection. I ended up using a crescent wrench to tighten it. I don't have a torque wrench for a crescent so I wasn't able to tighten it to the correct tension. Is that an issue? View attachment 389502 View attachment 389503 View attachment 389504 View attachment 389505

Only if it comes loose. The rail didn't come with the necessary crow's foot wrench head?

 

[Garet Jax]

Only if it comes loose. The rail didn't come with the necessary crow's foot wrench head?

Don't think so. It came in a larger box as part of a larger order so it is possible I missed it. I make a habit of completely emptying boxes and breaking them down so it's unlikely I missed it, but possible.

 

[calicojack]

I am in MoCo and have a torque wrench and a set of crow feet; PM me if you want to tighten to spec.

 

[Garet Jax]

I am in MoCo and have a torque wrench and a set of crow feet; PM me if you want to tighten to spec.

Thanks a lot. Already have a torque wrench but didn't know the crows feet existed. Just picked up a set to do myself. Thanks for the suggestion.