Which handguards are lightest?

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

Just ordered a BCM Standard 16" Mid Length (LIGHT WEIGHT) Upper Receiver Group since they just came back in stock today.:happy:
Putting it on an Aero Precision lower with a Geiselle SSA trigger.

I need the lightest but still good quality handguards with rails but don’t need a free float.

It’s going to get my EOTech XPS2-0, a Yankee Hill BUIS and a MagPul stock I already own.

This is a CQB rifle.

Not interested in UTG.

Daniels Defense are just too expensive.

I’m looking at the ones below. Any others to consider?

Magpul MOE Handguards - Mid Length
http://www.del-ton.com/Magpul_MOE_Handguards_Mid_Length_p/hg1102.htm

YHM Two Piece 4 Rail Mid-Length Handguards
http://yhm.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_4_49&products_id=52&zenid=075415485cae102cbc215d3addf4085b

Midwest Industries
http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=64

Troy BattleRail Drop In
http://troyind.com/%20/rail-systemsaccessories/rails/ar15m16-rails/drop-in-rails/two-piece-drop-in-rails/troy-battlerail-drop-in-mid-length

2

AFAIK, the lightest handguard on the market is the Troy TRX extreme. Perhaps my memory is off there, but I think that’s the case. So lowering weight would also free float your barrel.
Then again, if you need something simple, just get a Magpul and be done with it.

3

Troy trx extreme is inexpensive, lightweight, and reliable. The troy alpha js also an option (upgraded trx)

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

4

Solid oak handguard milled out from a tree trunk would be lighter than the TRX-E

click this for a spreadsheet of handguard weights.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwswheghNQsFnUZMkZNF2DQ&output=html

5

I have never even vaguely understood why anyone would want the regular TRX handguard… Even most quad rails are lighter.

6

Moved- this is not a Custom Build topic.

7

I think he meant the TRX-E.

8

Your lightest would be the Magpul MOE, by far. You could get those, and IWC makes most any type mount you might need for lights, slings, etc… It will be your cheapest also, by far.
Just my .02
Brandon

9

Actually if you look at the chart posted above, the MOE guard are pretty heavy.

For instance a 9 inch MOE is about 11.5 OZ. A 9 inch TRX-E rail is only about 8.5oz

10

Never imagined that. Sorry for the mis-information.
Brandon

11

The TRX is hands down the lightest rail I have ever held.

I have been pretty rough on mine.

Only had it for about 5 or 6 months but its holding up pretty good

12

Since the weights listed for Magpul handguards are in green columns you have to subtract 2.8 ounces to get the actual net weight of the handguards. This puts the MOE weight for carbine and midlength at @6.5 and 8.7 ounces respectively. They’re pretty light and the dollar to weight ratio is darn good.

13

edited. thank you for the correction.

14

I can’t imagine anything being lighter than the MOE. The Centurion C4 on my carbine is light but not even close to the MOE.

15

A problem with the chart is some options include the barrel nuts and some do not. You just need to ensure you do your homework and get a legit comparison. In my experience the Troy is the lightest tube. The Centurion is close on the full railed guards but is my preference when you look at all the features. FYI when you add a sling attachment, light attachment, etc. to the MOE the weight and price go op in a hurry.

16

I’ve got loads of handguards to choose from, both light weight FF and non-FF, to me it was still an easy choice.

17

I think the Magpul MOE handguards will probably be the lightest. I do have a Samson EVO, and it is extremely light. You can’t go wrong with either one.

18

I have been building these rifles for well over 30 years and I have to second what Stickman posted. To me this combination is the simplest and most cost effective way to build a good rifle for all around use.

19

I voted for Troy…more specifically the Troy TRX Extreme. It’s cheap, light (lighter than the Magpul’s), and it gives the benefits of having a free-float.

20

The chart that I referenced was second hand information I’ve pulled from the countless threads asking this very question.
The chart itself is a definite work in progress but I felt it is still pretty helpful.