How do y'all decide what length to use for a free-float handguard?

WRH

WRH

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With regards to barrel length? I have a 16" barrel with a flash hider that brings the length to about 18". I'm leaning towards a Samson Mfg. Evolution Keymod handguard. They come in a variety of lengths and I'm thinking the 15" is too long, so it's between the 12.37", 11" or 10".

Which one would look best on there? Also, any opinions on the Samson?
 
Some like to put "as long as possible" while others prefer shorter ones.

With a 16" barrel I like my rails to be 12" - 14"

Depends on your own preference, grip style and what you want to put on the rails.
 
Thanks for the reply. I don't plan on putting much on there. Maybe a light later on. Is there a better option if all I really need is the top rail?
 
It depends what look/use that you are going for. On my 10.5" I put on a Troy 12" free float, I think it works well with the "flaming pig"

D19F92D6-EFDB-4764-AFEA-2E3AFC4DD784_zpsr2qu0plm.jpg
 
WRH said:
Thanks for the reply. I don't plan on putting much on there. Maybe a light later on. Is there a better option if all I really need is the top rail?
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You'd be better served with a modular float TUBE as opposed to a quad rail. Lighter, smaller, often cheaper and far more practical, if that's important.

TDC
 
TDC said:
You'd be better served with a modular float TUBE as opposed to a quad rail. Lighter, smaller, often cheaper and far more practical, if that's important.

TDC
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Can you give me an example? I really just want the top rail to mount my front sight. Otherwise, light, small and cheap are definitely good.
 
Dietz said:
Why do you want a rail to begin with? Are you sure you need one?
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I want it to mount a front sight. I would like a little more room than the M4 handguards allow and I would like it to be free-floating. I like the idea of Keymod in that I can add a rail if/when I need one.
 
Eh, part of it is forward weight and thus the balance of the rifle. Having a lighter front end means quicker handling, which is very important in timed shooting events if that's what you're interested in. However, longer rails/handguards also gives you much more options in terms of accessory placement such as AFGs or VFGs or hand stops or barricade hooks. Some people like their hands all the way forwards.

The other part is looking cool, and that's more important than handling.
 
WRH said:
Can you give me an example? I really just want the top rail to mount my front sight. Otherwise, light, small and cheap are definitely good.
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https://danieldefense.com/modular-float-rail-12-0.html
Had a DD upper with this handguard, excellent..

http://www.apexhandguard.com/
I have a Gator grip handguard, easy to install without removing the FSB/gas block

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=149

WRH said:
I want it to mount a front sight. I would like a little more room than the M4 handguards allow and I would like it to be free-floating. I like the idea of Keymod in that I can add a rail if/when I need one.
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I would stay away from Keymod, its a dead horse compared to M-lok which is easier and cheaper to produce.

Daver_II said:
Check out the troy alpha rail,
I have a 16" barrel with the 13" troy alpha.
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Personally I say f**k Troy. I have an issue when a company employs a scumbag POS that was involved with blatant homicide of an innocent person and the subsequent harassment of said persons family as a make work project/witch hunt; Then lies about it, only to later hire a known anti gun scumbag from Chicago.

http://www.thebangswitch.com/the-hiring-follies-of-troy-industries/

Just my take on it. Troy does however make decent products.

TDC
 
TDC said:
https://danieldefense.com/modular-float-rail-12-0.html
Had a DD upper with this handguard, excellent..

http://www.apexhandguard.com/
I have a Gator grip handguard, easy to install without removing the FSB/gas block

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=149



I would stay away from Keymod, its a dead horse compared to M-lok which is easier and cheaper to produce.



Personally I say f**k Troy. I have an issue when a company employs a scumbag POS that was involved with blatant homicide of an innocent person and the subsequent harassment of said persons family as a make work project/witch hunt; Then lies about it, only to later hire a known anti gun scumbag from Chicago.

http://www.thebangswitch.com/the-hiring-follies-of-troy-industries/

Just my take on it. Troy does however make decent products.

TDC
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Thanks, I'll have to look into M-lok, never heard of it.
 
M-lok beats keymod...

Yeah... About that, keymod is adopted by a large number of manufactures...

Mlok has two...

That being said I prefer KM since there is no protrusion inside the forend.
 
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I like the forend to be as long as possible so I have more options for how I grip the forend and also to provide as long of sight radius as possible for flip up sights. An extra couple inches of forend isn't going to give a noticeable increase in weight.
3 of my AR's have 12 inch barrels with 12 inch forends and my AR-10 has a 16 inch with a 12.5 inch forend. Only one has a quadrail as I really can't think of much crap I need or want to hang off of my rifle as a civilian, I like them light and simple.
I really like my Troy Alpha with built in front flip up sight. I also have the apex gatorgrip as TDC posted (on my AR-10) and it is awesome.

It really comes down to your tastes and what you want, no one else can tell you what you need or what looks good to you.

Good luck and be sure to post pics when you have it all together.
 
I have a 13 inch troy on my 16 in dd carbine. Nice and light and still gives you the ability to add rail sections if you want.
 
First, go with a tube like the Troy Alpha rail: you'll soon find all the extra rails useless or just adding weight.

I like longer tubes: longer sight radius for better iron sight accuracy, plus there is more area to put a bi-pod so you can move it until you find the right spot for you.
 
Long handguard is probably the best for sports shooting, but short handguard ( and short barrel) is easier to mange if there is a need to maintain some form of ready or semi ready position for a longer duration of time.
 
Long as possible for 3 gun applications. Keeps the barrel from contacting every other thing when trying to fire from unconventional shooting positions.
 
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