It looks interesting and I wonder if anyone here uses it and what they think about it.
I like that you can attach rails where you want them instead being permanently fixed. It gets rid of that cheese grader look of most rail systems. I think it would also be more comfortable than grabbing on to rails.
The weight does start to catch up once you start adding rail sections, so if you need more rail because you use a lot of accessories, it might not be the lightest option. Rob S did a pretty good write-upabout this on his website.
Interestingly, since Green Eyes Black Rifles was published, Viking Tactics has teamed up with Troy Industries to produce a new VTAC handguard. Even lighter weight, and advertised for sale on Lamb’s website…
I love the JP/VTac fore end that came with my M&P 15 Vtac. It provides a great grip for the support hand, is light, and tough. The only recomendation I can make is to use blue loctite on tube mount screws and rail section screws. Other than that it’s great.
I handled a rifle with both these and the standard rail forearm. The thing that sold me was the smaller diameter. I have small hands and the standard railed forearms get to be a bit too big for me once you add the covers.
Do you have a low profile gas block? Do you want one in order to use a flip up front sight, or do you prefer the fixed front sight block?
Assuming you have a carbine length gas system and a fixed front sight, you’d need a 7" rail. If you use a lo-profile gas block, or are willing to shave down your FSB, you could use any length, but I imagine the 11" would be the most popular. However, not knowing your particular rifle, I’m hesitant to make any solid recommendation.
I’ll also qualify that I haven’t used one of these Troy handguards yet, but they are appearing among a number of lightweight builds that keep tempting me…
Couple of questions for the crowd as to the Vtac/JP tubes, I`m putting them here because it looks like the proper tread and are related to the general questions asked here…
An earlier tread down in the comp section, stated that the tubes would not stand for a full load of manly accessories, not planning to run that, but in the boards opinion/experience would it be feasible to run a VFG/light and bipod without suffering ??
I`m a rather tight gripper on the VFG, running a LaRue fug in the short config on my issue 416, and normally having the little and ringfinger on the fug (if that explanation makes any sense).
I have two uppers that I forsee will be run as similiar in set up as possible (muscle memory and all that), a “SPRish” 18,5" and a 16" that are without any bells and whistles for the moment.
Today the SPRish upper sports a horrible YMH forend and the 16" has the OEM FF tube.
Both are the dreaded BMs V match model, but thats what I can get hold of over here and better to have than to have not…
An earlier tread down in the comp section, stated that the tubes would not stand for a full load of manly accessories, not planning to run that, but in the boards opinion/experience would it be feasible to run a VFG/light and bipod without suffering ??
Most assuredly they are. They are very strong. I’ll try and post up some pics of some setups I’ve built.
I run the rifle length on one of my guns. It’s excellent kit, IMO. It WILL take a fair bit of accessory weight if installed correctly, but that might defeat the purpose of having such a slick forend. YMMV. I DO NOT have a VFG on that rifle.
Pros-
1- slick look and feel
2- very solid setup once it’s one
3- retains some modularity
4- cheaper than PRI
Cons-
1- not as light as DD Omegas, at least I think they are not…
2- attaching rail sections is often a PITA
I have one, not yet installed on my LMT because I can’t seem to get my upper and lower back from refinishing. It’s a really nice piece. Luckily I have an extra spikes tac lower so I might just get a new upper and begin the build with that.
