So many of You have seen my other post called " why so much rail" and it leads me to this post. As i think about it more and more im realizing i dont NEED a rail at all. However there is an accuracy drop off with the standard handguards. So here is my question : Does anyone make a FF CAR handguard (admittedly i dont know if such a thing is even possible)? And are they all the same so i dont have to shop around ? All i want is a foward grip and a flash light and im pretty sure that there are decent mounting options for me out there in terms of putting those on a normal set of hand guards. Maybe eventually i would add a troy trx rail but ive realized due to lack of funds and lack of need its not feasible right now. And yes i said CAR handguards not M4 handguards i am well aware of the circumference difference between the two.
take a look at the magpul moe handguards, they have carbine, mid and rifle length
I second that. Looking at pictures online I thought they would be cheap flimsy plastic but after getting them that totally went out the window. I love em and I love the price even better.
I for one really like the standard M4 handguards, perfect for a KISS build.
For a basic quad rail, the Knights RAS is hard to beat.
I’ve had the Troy, Larue, DD rails and ended up selling them all.
If you don’t understand why you need it, I doubt you actually need it. But if you are really wanting to maintain accuracy, while still keeping the plastic handguards, get the NM free float tube instead. You can then have your plastic handguards.
http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=EMNM04-1&Category=5e96660f-cc85-4db9-ab9d-8a3c238a7007
But thats only for rifles and mine is a carbine 
Magpul M.O.E. handguards sound like the solution to your problem. You can mount lights and FG’s to them, they are cheap, and they just work.
I’ve run them carbine length and midlength. Both have been rattle free and a TIGHT fit. As far as ergonomics is concerned they are head and shoulders above regular m4 handguards.
Also, if regular handguards effect accuracy, my BCM upper didnt get the memo. Dont think you’re going to lose accuracy. Ya you might not be shooting .5" 5 shot groups at 200yds…but your rifle will still be capable of 1" at 100yds…a lot more things effect accruacy more than handguards (trigger, user, optics, ect)
Thats another thing i was wondering, is there a measurement to how much FF rails effect accuracy vs standard hand guards? you say not so much but some people say it can totally change your groupings.
Another vote for Magpul MOE. Cheap, functional and durable don’t go together much but in this case they do. You can pretty much mount all the crap you want on them. The thing I like the most is I have a much more comfortable grip on the weapon. Did I say they were light?
I run the MOE midlength and really love it. BUT there is nothing wrong with being in love with the std handguards. I’d rather you use the std guards than some UTG 2-peice POS.
I have to agree with this. I didn’t get the full impact of the Magpul MOE handguards until I mounted a set on my Daniel Defense midlength. Rock solid and quite versatile. Way better than I expected for about the same price as standard plastic handguards. A lot of people who go for cheap or wrong application rails would be better off with MOEs.
Can you already shoot 2 minute of angle with your rifle? If not, you don’t really need a free float tube because the change is about 2 MOA to 1 MOA or sub MOA. That is a difference of 1.024" at 100 yards; 2 MOA vs 1 MOA. I would say just buy plastic handguards, a case of ammo and learn how to shoot the gun instead of trying to make a safe queen that looks pretty but never gets fired because you blew your wad on tacticool crap.
Why do you need someone to talk you out of, or into something? Do some research, try some different rails and hand guards out and see what will fill your needs on YOUR rifle.
Why do people care what others do? Choose what works for you and rock on.
Just to add to your options, GG&G makes an under foregrip rail that attaches to any plastic handguard. Here is the link:
http://www.gggaz.com/index.php?id=183&parents=38,44
Just another options to think about. I never used them, but GG&G makes great stuff that has never failed me.
Because you end up with tacticool tapco’ed SKS’s and AR’s with more accessories than sense.
ETA:
Case in point
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Try the MOE for $30 and see if you like it. If not, then get a DD Omega FF Rail. Sounds like the MOE would fit your need.
But maybe it’s just me…
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I run standard handguards on two of my midlength AR’s because unless the gun is on a bench, I can’t shoot good enough to tell the difference between free floated or anything else. If you like standard handguards then run with it, they work just fine.
I asked so that i can get input from people who have way more experience than i do ,that are running similar setups. Better to ask than spend money on stuff that i wont end up using. I wish i had the money to blow so i could go and buy every hand guard out there and try them on, but i dont so asking seemed like the next best thing. I would prefer to make all new mistakes of my own, not repeat someone else’s.
Looks like it would totally work, now all i need is a flashlight mount and ill be set. They only have the mounts for tiny lights and id prefer something a bit more substantial, i know they are out there i just have to look. What part of florida are you around btw?
A reply on a forum wont help you at all. What another member likes, wont necessarily be what you like or more importantly what you need. I wasn’t inferring to go out and buy a bunch of stuff to try out, but encouraging you to research and find out what looks like MIGHT work for you, then narrow it down from there. Once you have done that you can go to a quality shop and handle the various options on your list and get some tangible feedback to see what fills your needs/wants.
You have to start by narrowing down what you are looking for in a hand guard or rail based upon your NEEDS for that particular weapon and then build from there. I think you will find when you take that approach you will be much more rewarded and make fewer poor buying decisions.
Get involved in your local hometown forum and get together for some of the group shoots. If you do that you will be surrounded by a wide variety of options and most fellow members will be more than happy to let you try there weapons out.
Create your own experiences and rely less on others. In the end you will become far more educated because you invested the time to learn on your own.
If you are looking for input on the quality of a particular product after doing research without finding the answers you were looking for, thats where your fellow forum members can be a great asset.