AR15 free float handguard recommendations?

[cobber]

When I built my Frankengun a few years back, the only free float handguard I could find was a Hogue, but the nut was hard to attach. The guard itself has no mounting system, being simply an aluminum cylinder.

It's an AR with 20" barrel, rifle length gas system, and with a low-profile clamp-on gas block (maybe that needs changing as well). Intend to mount a suppressor from time to time.

I am looking for a recommendation for a FF handguard that will work with a standard bbl nut, and with some standard means of attaching accessory rails. So much stuff out there with proprietary features. Just looking for something more practical than what I have and not exotic or 'innovative'.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[efd1295]

I’ve got a half a dozen Midwest Industries handgaurds and love them. They come with their own barrel nut and wrench. They even make large diameter ones to fit over suppressors.

 

[smythe012]

I’ve got a half a dozen Midwest Industries handgaurds and love them. They come with their own barrel nut and wrench. They even make large diameter ones to fit over suppressors.

I second MI. Top quality stuff; BCM and MI are my two favorite.

 

[92FSTech]

I know you said you want it to work with a standard barrel nut, but that's pretty limiting.

I like the Aero Precision Atlas S-One. It uses a proprietary barrel nut, but comes with it, as well as shims. It's lightweight, slim enough for a comfortable grip, and only has rail where you need it. It's mlock so you can add rail sections wherever you want them. The hardware that secures the handguard to the barrel nut is well designed and very secure. It's also pretty reasonably priced for what you get. All around good product.

 

[cobber]

I know you said you want it to work with a standard barrel nut, but that's pretty limiting.

I like the Aero Precision Atlas S-One. It uses a proprietary barrel nut, but comes with it, as well as shims. It's lightweight, slim enough for a comfortable grip, and only has rail where you need it. It's mlock so you can add rail sections wherever you want them. The hardware that secures the handguard to the barrel nut is well designed and very secure. It's also pretty reasonably priced for what you get. All around good product.

As I'm building on an Aero Precision upper and lower, this is attractive.

My main concern is avoiding a repeat of the Hogue nut currently on my rifle. I practically destroyed the tool installing it (bad materials and design, I think).

 

[Pfcmaurx]

I know you said you want it to work with a standard barrel nut, but that's pretty limiting.

I like the Aero Precision Atlas S-One. It uses a proprietary barrel nut, but comes with it, as well as shims. It's lightweight, slim enough for a comfortable grip, and only has rail where you need it. It's mlock so you can add rail sections wherever you want them. The hardware that secures the handguard to the barrel nut is well designed and very secure. It's also pretty reasonably priced for what you get. All around good product.

I have a few of the Aero and they are great. I used them on a few AR9 builds for my wife and I.

 

[92FSTech]

My main concern is avoiding a repeat of the Hogue nut currently on my rifle. I practically destroyed the tool installing it (bad materials and design, I think).

I've not had that problem with the Aero. I've installed 3 of them now, and the tool (included with the handguard) is basically like a large crow's foot and and the teeth engage the barrel nut very positively. It's well made, and I've not come close to deforming any of them during the install (and believe me, I'm good at breaking tools, lol). Get yourself a torque wrench, make sure the tool is square to the nut, keep your torque within spec, and you'll have no problems.

I too have struggled with cheap handguards and barrel nuts in the past, but the Aero design is much better and easier to install properly without boogering anything up.

 

[usmcdjb]

I like the ALG Defense rails. Gotta buy their $5 tool, but easy to install. And Geissele quality at a great price. Hard to find in stock right now though

 

[Angrysauce]

BCM MCMR, whichever MI rail, or the geissele mk8

 

[Electric_Rooster]

I am very pleased with my midwest industries I put on my M&P sport II

 

[hpclayto]

Another vote for Midwest.

 

[jkholmes]

I haven't built any with Midwest gear yet, but I have built three rifles with ALG EMR handguards (two rifles and one pistol) and have been very impressed with them. One of them is on my multigun rifle and has worked out very well, and was fairly inexpensive when I got it.

 

[HnK]

Geissele makes the best on the market in my opinion.

 

[Ggreen]

Zev, geissele, hodge, centurion, lantac,

 

[rb288]

I just bought, and received a 15" handguard for my AR 10 build.
It was from a new company called Mentium.
It is very nice.
It's light, solid, mounts good and tight, and is inexpensive, as in $75.

 

[2A-Hoosier23]

+1 for Midwest Industries

 

[Ggreen]

I just bought, and received a 15" handguard for my AR 10 build.
It was from a new company called Mentium.
It is very nice.
It's light, solid, mounts good and tight, and is inexpensive, as in $75.

They are Chinese. Make sure you pull the rail every once in a while and check the barrel nut for cracking.

 

[2A-Hoosier23]

Zev, geissele, hodge, centurion, lantac,

How did you like that one Seekins Precision? It has held up well for me, and although the diameter is massive it's still okay to hold thumb-over, and it's probably big enough to nest a suppressor inside if the barrel was shorter. Worth replacing? Hasn't given me any issues and not planning on mounting any IR laser or anything that needs to hold a zero

 

[Ggreen]

How did you like that one Seekins Precision? It has held up well for me, and although the diameter is massive it's still okay to hold thumb-over, and it's probably big enough to nest a suppressor inside if the barrel was shorter. Worth replacing? Hasn't given me any issues and not planning on mounting any IR laser or anything that needs to hold a zero

Its been a while since I've had a seekins rail. I don't have anything against seekins at all. They are on the fatter end of the spectrum, but they are a quality product

 

[jhparsons78]

I have a Samson Manufacturing Evolution Series. Works great on my 16”