I’ve got a really great opportunity to build my ideal lightweight rig using top-notch components. All I’ll lack is a good fore end. I very much want a tube and am leaning towards the Troy TRX Extreme.
This rifle will be almost all DD, with a lightweight 16" barrel. This will be my ‘one and only’ rifle. It’s for self/home defense, and any & all training. Not used for hunting, not for 1000 yard target practice, not for zombies.
Do you folks feel I’d be better served by an 11" or 13" tube? I’m about 6’4" and have a pretty good reach, so getting that ‘rapier’ grip might require extra length, I figure. But I don’t want to have wasted space either, nor do I want to needlessly screw up the balance.
Lastly, would the installation of the tube be something I can trust to any local 'smith? I haven’t used any to call one reliable, necessarily.
Thanks for any thoughts! The search function is on the fritz, and google search didn’t turn up any duplicated past threads on this subject.
I am 6’3 and after shooting some of my friends ARs with smaller hand guards and not liking the way they felt. I decided to order a 13" TRX to put on my BCM upper that I ordered on Monday. Going to have my gunsmith put it on along with a Troy Low Profile GB when ever the upper comes in.
I’m 5’11" and the 13" is perfect for me. I doubt that the 2 extra inches will throw off the balance, it’s a light rail. Those 2 extra inches will give you a longer sight radius as well.
I’m 5’10". I only use the 13" TRXs. I reach all the way out. If anyone is wondering, I don’t feel over extended by reaching out that far, at all.
I’m skeptical of pretty much all “local smiths”. It has been my experience (through watching friends’ and acquaintances’ follies) that “local smiths” usually go full retard on things they don’t know about. Usually that’s a pretty wide range of topics/parts/guns. Unless you have seen first hand that he knows his way around ARs and their many options, I’d learn how to do it yourself. Building an AR upper is easier than changing the oil on a Jeep, and faster. I’ve seen numerous quality parts get ruined or nearly ruined due to the local guy going full retard.
Search the web. Even though no one wants to admit it, most people got their start on AR15.COM!!! Lots of people are still probably members there. I’ll admit it, years ago, I used to be on there all the time. Let’s just get it out in the open. “BARFCOM/TOS” as everyone likes to call it on the other forums as they pretend to be too cool for it, has some good info. There are “HOW TO DIY” threads that show you step by step how to build an AR. AR15.com is the not-so-hot-girl you lost your V-card to, and are now ashamed to acknowledge in public, even though deep down you appreciate that she helped you through the most awkward moments of your life.
If you still need help, PM me and I’ll try to help you through it. TRX tubes are very easy to install, especially if you already have a tiny gas block and don’t have to make one.
It depends on how aggressive you run your arm out on the forearm.
I’m 6’2 and currently using a 12" VIS. I find that I don’t even need 12" of rail space/gripping area. 9" to 11" would work just fine for me. Then again, I don’t completely straighten my arms out to the point that my offhand arm is hyperextending.
Your stance, LOP, and technique are all going to dictate how much gripping area you need.
I think everyone is responding based on the idea that he wants to grab out as far as possible. At least that was the impression I got from the question.
I started out with a 11" on my training gun and my second gun has a 13". It definitely gives you more room if you like to mount a flip up sight and a light on the top rail while being able to grab as far forward on the rail as possible. With the 11", you’ll easily lose 2"-3" to the flip up sight and light mount, leaving you with about 8" of clear rail. That’s only 1" more than a carbine length handguard. You can either get a 13", or get the 11" and extend the stock out further if you prefer to extend your support hand out more.
ok and I really just wanted to stop and acknowledge that i smiled really big when I read this. fantastic analogy, and spot on.
AR15.com is the not-so-hot-girl you lost your V-card to, and are now ashamed to acknowledge in public, even though deep down you appreciate that she helped you through the most awkward moments of your life
I have several with the 13" forend. It doesn’t hurt having the full length to attach stuff. If you never need it, it doesn’t weigh enough to be concerned.
I find that I don’t need to adjust my grip to be behind my light. I tryed an 11" and a different companies 15" just to be sure what I liked best. I settled on the 13"
I have an 11in VTAC extreme on my 11.5in LW SBR
a 13in VTAC extreme on my 20in precision setup
and a 9in DD OmegaX on my 16in middy
The only issue I have with the 9in rail is not being able to mount my light forward enough that I can accuate the tail cap switch with my thumb, otherwise I cant see needing more than an 11in rail.
Depending upon the stock you are using it may shift the balance ever so slightly, 11in works well with a ctr stock where if you had a sopmod or ACS you may want the longer rail.
On this particular carbine, I think the 11" would balance better. I’ll probably pick an 11" up, swap them out and put the 13" on the shelf for a future build.