Replacement options for NEA handguard

TrevorF

TrevorF

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
55   0   0
Location
Northern NB
Hey Guys,

I've got an NEA 14.5" with the 12" rail coming. That makes for a pretty heave gun for running and gunning. What are my options for a lighter polymer hand guard with rails? I looked at the magpul one but it doesn't have any rails. I want to keep my front pop up sight, sling mount and AFG if possible on the gun. If I need to lose the front pop up sight that's fine because I have a barrel mounted sight that replaces the gas block and is also pop up.
Second question, if I go with a shorter forend, which I would rather not do because I want to maintain a long sight radius, is it a big job replacing the gas tube?

All that being said, I want to reduce the overall weight of the gun on the front end.

Thanks,
Trevor
 
Carbon fiber tube with holes drilled so that you can mount the odd pieces of rail as you need.

Even if you go with a shorter rail, your sight radius would remain the same if you place the sight on the gas block, so that wouldn't be a problem...
 
why would you have to change gas tube? the barrel isn't changing so the length of gas tube isn't changing. the forerail is pretty light on the NEA's as is. doesn't sound like a worthwhile project to me but to each his own. I don't know what polymer handguard there is for what you want but i wouldn't trust a polymer rail to hold a zero with rugged use. different materials expand in heat differently.
 
DPMS makes a lightweight composite free float tube that might suit your needs. Brownells sells them and wil lship here if under $100.

The NEA should take all standard AR15 free-float tubes.
 
I think he means gas block, and no, it's not hard to replace unless you decide to get one that requires you to drill for taper pins.
 
TrevorF said:
Hey Guys,

I've got an NEA 14.5" with the 12" rail coming. That makes for a pretty heave gun for running and gunning. ... All that being said, I want to reduce the overall weight of the gun on the front end.

Thanks,
Trevor
Click to expand...

Hey, I know, how about my Co-host Harden's the F up???

I'll sort him out on this weeks show guys. Sorry.
 
I believe the NEA 12" rail weighs 12 oz… the plastic Magpul rifle length hand guard is listed as 12.13 oz. If the weight of the NEA hand guard is accurate it is one of the lighter ones on the market... Generally, to get anything lighter it will require the replacement of the stock barrel nut, as this is where you will save the most weight…
 
and the barrel. is there a lighter profile barrel available what does nea use and if this is for 3 gun or the like what kind of range are the targets at? i believe the thicker barrels are better accuracy?
 
NEA barrels are 0.85” from the gas block back and 0.75” form the gas block forward I believe. They call them a medium profile, but would be fairly heavy. A thicker barrel should be more accurate but more importantly they remain more consistent as they heat up. If you are going to change the barrel it kinda negates the purpose of buying an NEA as I believe the barrel is the best part of the NEA15.
 
shoulda got a shorty then that extra 4 - 7 inches probably adds up. 13 oz difference in weight of the 14.5 to the 10.5 damn that's almost a pound lighter just on the barrel and rail. for 4 inches shorter call it 3.25 Oz's per inch.

+1
 
Check out these guys h ttp://www.goodlifefitness.com/guest_Default.aspx and they'll help you out ;)

Just kidding, there are the carbon fiber ones, or perhaps the troy battlerail,

h ttp://troyind.com/%20/rail-systemsaccessories/rails/ar15m16-rails/free-float-rails/troy-alpha-rail%C2%AE-13%E2%80%B3-no-sight

where it runs pretty slick and comes with 3 small rail peices, there's also a daniel defence and samson mfg versions of the same system, i believe they can usually be had at fabsports or wolverine/ost for the daniel defence
 
justinchow said:
where it runs pretty slick and comes with 3 small rail peices, there's also a daniel defence and samson mfg versions of the same system, i believe they can usually be had at fabsports or wolverine/ost for the daniel defence
Click to expand...

I just got a Daniel Defense MFR… pretty nice and rather light…
 
There are rail attachments for the MOE handguard.

MOE%20HANDGUARD%20HDR%201%201028%20Stick.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom