best mid-length plastic handguards today?

Chris17404 · November 12, 2009, 4:27am

Hi all,

I’m putting together some plans for my first AR, which will be a mid-length. I’d like to use standard-type plastic handguards. What are the best mid-length handguards on the market today? I’d ideally like double heat shields. CavArms? Anyone know who makes the ones BCM sells? Other suggestions? Thanks.

Chris

kmrtnsn · November 12, 2009, 5:29am

Why not free float with some picatinny rails, your choices will be damn near endless.

MisterWilson · November 12, 2009, 6:39am

I’ve got a pair of Cav’s midlength handguards and they’re pretty solid. Much more robust than some handguards I’ve had.

Kmart: Why bother dropping the extra $200-300 if all you’re going to use is maybe a light or grip? To say nothing of how 99% percent of shooters I’ve seen are shooting cheap ammo through a CL barrel, and all inside of 200 yards?

armakraut · November 12, 2009, 8:13am

The cavarms handguards seem much better made and overall more substantial.

Chris17404 · November 12, 2009, 3:38pm

Yeah, why install an expensive rail when I don’t need it yet? That money can buy a case of ammo!

Who else is running standard plastic handguards on their middies? What are you using?

Anyone know who makes the handguards that come standard on the Noveske N4 Light Recce?

Chris

dee_loo · November 12, 2009, 3:57pm

Running a Cavarms C8 and C6. I prefer the slimmer profile of the C8. Its like a smaller A2 handguard. The C6 is fat throughout, like a longer M4 handguard. The quality and plastic on the Cavarms is much heaver than standard handguards.

Captains1911 · November 12, 2009, 4:25pm

I use RRA handguards that I purchased through Bravo, they do the job. I prefer the tapered shape of these rather than the fatter oval shaped ones like the M4 handguards.

rob_s · November 12, 2009, 4:29pm

I use the Cavarms C8 (I think, whichever is the tapered). I do not like the non-tapered. I don’t really think it matters if you use Armalite, RRA, or Cavarms. This is not a high-end critical item that one needs to suss out the “best” on.

I also second those that have said to skip the rail system. Wait until you think you need one and have a use for it, otherwise it’s eating up cash you could be using for an RDS or ammo or training.

Chris17404 · November 12, 2009, 6:58pm

Thanks for the replies, guys. I appreciate it. Anyone know who makes the mid-length handguards that BCM sells?

Chris

Captains1911 · November 12, 2009, 7:20pm

Bravo Co. sells RRA mid-length handguards, that’s where I purchased the ones in my picture above.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Mid-Length-Handguards-Black-p/handguards%20mid%20length%20black.htm

the_fallguy · November 12, 2009, 9:16pm

I actually really like the Cav Arms C6 “M4” style hand guards, personally. Honestly the initial reason I got them was that I really liked the way they looked in the pictures that USMC03 posted.

After trying both versions, I’ve found it’s more comfortable to me to use the straighter hand guard with a thumbs forward grip than the tapered version is. It would also line up the light a little better with the bore line if you used a hand guard mounted 1913 rail, not that it really matters.

Ray_T · November 12, 2009, 9:22pm

Rob,

Just curious…with your rail attachment for your weapons light on a tapered handguard… does your light cast the light in a some what diagonal angle?

rob_s · November 12, 2009, 9:26pm

Yes, but since it’s a light and not an aiming device it doesn’t matter.

98z28 · November 12, 2009, 9:52pm

I would note that the RRA hand guards have a lip at the front end. So if you are thinking of using a light setup similar to Rob’s, the light is going to sit nearly an inch further back. It may not sound like much, but I like being able to get my support hand out as far as possible on the hand guards. It also makes the light cast a significantly larger shadow of the FSB. I would go with the Cavarms if you want to bolt a light to the hand guard.

Quentin · November 12, 2009, 11:24pm

I have the standard handguards that came with my ArmaLite middy. They’re all right but but lightweight with a single heat shield. And they have a small gap between the halves that could pinch skin. Hasn’t happened yet but I’ll have to check out the Cav Arms offerings if they’re better. At this time I have no need for quad rails, etc.

Thanks for this thread, it’s very helpful!

OutlawDon · November 13, 2009, 12:21am

+1! The CavArms C6 looks awesome in his pics! Looks stout and good quality to me.

http://milspecmonkey.com/weapons-page/rifles

Reddevil · November 13, 2009, 3:47am

I use RRA on my BCM middy. I’m not crazy about them because they move quite a bit. Im used to a solid lockup like my Colt M4 and DPMS Glacief handguards. It’s not a big deal but I would buy Cavarms Tapered handguards if I had to do it again.

tonyc · November 14, 2009, 4:02am

I’ve used RRA and Cavarms C8 midlength handguards. Both are tapered but the Cavarms is more of an oval shape, similar to the standard M4, compared to the round shape of the RRA. I prefer the shape of the RRA because it feels a bit more narrow and allows me to get my hand around it for a better grip. Also, (for those that care) it does not move or twist (at all!) when installed on my particular upper.
The Cavarms is made from much thicker plastic, the texture is a bit rougher and seems to offer a better grip if not using gloves, and the material used for the heat shield is a bit thicker. Overall, it weighs a tad more than the RRA.
The differences are minor; either of these will serve you well. I prefer the shape of the RRA and it is my first choice. I have no experience with Armalite HG’s.
My observations; hope it helps.

Alaskapopo · November 14, 2009, 4:07am

Ok spill it. How did you get a Yellow Pmag. I want some of the other colors. I have seen orange. I like that yellow one you have.
Pat

Belmont31R · November 14, 2009, 4:02am

Rattle can. …