NEA Upper Handguard a Scorcher?

[mmattockx]

I just received an NEA upper handguard to mount an RDS on my vz-58. It fits nice and tight and quality seems good. But it also feels like it is going to be a real hand scorcher when the rifle gets hot. Is this a problem for anybody else? Does anybody have any tips/solutions to keep my fingers untoasted?


Thanks,
Mark

 

[Dad003]

no prob for me , you own just a semi auto not a full auto , and to be burned you will need many mag ^^

 

[alpining]

No direct experience here (mine's coming tomorrow), but aluminum is not heat conductive like steel is. That said, a lot of people run that rifle with a glove on the left hand (AKs, too) regardless of the handguard.

 

[mikethebike]

no prob for me , you own just a semi auto not a full auto , and to be burned you will need many mag ^^

I dunno, barrel get really really hot after shooting just 100 rounds, that's just 20 mag changes. I've scorched my fingers quite a few times.

 

[smelly pete]

Yes, mine gets hot after about 10 quick mags, and it's also a very good idea to locktite the detent setscrew after adjusting the tension.

 

[crankj11]

me too, hot hands after a few quick mags.....................still looks cool a hell though

 

[ActiveShooter]

but aluminum is not heat conductive like steel is

Aluminum is heat conductive, aluminum has a lower specific heat, but it conducts heat just fine, heats up quicker and cools down quicker than steel.

 

[lone-wolf]

Might be why aluminum is used as heat sinks?

 

[Deckard]

/\
Ha-ha!

 

[alpining]

Aluminum is heat conductive, aluminum has a lower specific heat, but it conducts heat just fine, heats up quicker and cools down quicker than steel.

Useful clarification, thank you.

 

[mmattockx]

No direct experience here (mine's coming tomorrow), but aluminum is not heat conductive like steel is. That said, a lot of people run that rifle with a glove on the left hand (AKs, too) regardless of the handguard.

Aluminum is second only to copper among common metals for heat conduction. Heat one end of a piece and the other gets hot very quickly, which is the problem with this as a hand guard. What it really needs is an insulating heat shield on the inside of the guard, but there doesn't seem to be any room for that.


Mark

 

[jongun]

I'd definitely be concerned about burning or frying your RDS. A side rail mount is a great option IMHO.

 

[mmattockx]

I'd definitely be concerned about burning or frying your RDS. A side rail mount is a great option IMHO.

I am mounting the RDS on a low riser because I want it clear of the sights, so that will help the cause in keeping it from melting down, but it is a concern. I find the side mounts far too cumbersome and hideously ugly, but that is just me.


Mark

 

[alpining]

Anybody try using heat shield tape on the inside of the handguard? Is there room for it? Does it stay in place?

I'm thinking that a lower handguard with big vents (like the NEA lower guard) will improve matters, too.

 

[NavyCuda]

A person could look at it from the aspect that the aluminum quickly removes that heat from the barrel which is favorable.

 

[Benito]

I'd definitely be concerned about burning or frying your RDS. A side rail mount is a great option IMHO.

Side rail mount is a decent option, just gotta watch the height so as not to end up with a chin weld rather than a cheek weld, like many setups seen on here.
If you get a solid RDS like an Aimpoint, I can't imagine the temperature frying it. You'd have to burn through a lot of mags pretty quick to fry an Aimpoint. An NCStar on the other hand, you could fry in less than 1 mag, probably only 1 shot.

 

[jongun]

You make a good point. You'll probably need some sort of riser to ensure a good cheek weld with almost any optics you mount on your 58.

 

[ActiveShooter]

A person could look at it from the aspect that the aluminum quickly removes that heat from the barrel which is favorable.

Maybe, but not at a rate which would be any benefit.