Tubular free-float handguard - how long is right?

[Dark Alley Dan]

Howdy, folks.

Swapping Norinco parts into my swanky new straightpull action and I reckon it's time to rethink my handguard. Seeing some good deals on Hogue Overmolded ones.

With a 14" barrel, and knowing the front sight/gas block is going away, how long of a handguard do I want? Many options from 4" to 15". Anyone run a handguard longer than the barrel? Does it look goofy? Pics are welcome, haste is appreciated. I'd like to buy something this week.

Cheers,

Dan

 

[mclmm]

If you flush mount the barrel and hand guard, then you'll want to be careful to avoid any muzzle device that might vent inside the hand guard as it could cause a catastrophic failure to the hand guard (top image). Or instead, use a linear comp (bottom image).

Not my pics.

 

[Foxer2373]

Lol well a picture is worth a thousand words....

-if muzzle is going on you want it a good inch shorter than the barrel or your gonna have a bad time.

-if your useing a blast defuser or fake can, you can go further, however it needs to be thick enough to free float the can and not too far up you can’t reach the release for the device either.

-personally my arm length I like a 12.5-14.5” rail no matter what the barrel length. I’m not one who wants a full rail on a 20” barrel and also covering some muzzle but that’s just me. I’m 5’9 I’m sure some guys 6’+ might like more rail to extend there arm length.