Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Searhing for handguard that probably does not exist

I am looking for a handguard that probably does not exist. I want the following attributes:
- Free float
- Allows use of an A2 front sight, carbine length gas system
- At least 12" long, meaning it extends past the front sight

I would prefer M-LOC, but some other system may do. I am aware there are "drop-in" handguards that meet my criteria, but I am looking for a free float. It seems to me it would need to be some sort of multi-piece deal to fit around the A2 sight.

Thanks in advance for any replies,
Gundoc

Centurion and Daniel Defense make one but they are pricey.

I have seen people cut out a section of a regular rail and keep the FSB that way but I have not done one myself.

https://vtsupply-com.3dcartstores.c...t-Pocket-M16-AR-15-Handguard_p_4505.html
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102094781?pid=816489

TWR,

Thank you so much for the reply, and for the links!
They are not M-LOC, but they otherwise fit the bill.
And you are right about them being pricey! About twice the price of similar quality free floats that do not allow the A2 FSB.

I might be willing to cut on one. It would almost certainly void any warranty, but it is what it is. To me, the real trick is figuring out how to put everything together. Seems to me to be a bit of a puzzle, unless the handguard already comes in "halves."

Thanks again, and I hope some others chime in,
Gundoc

Midwest Industries makes one. It's picatinny rail, not M-Lok.


https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/product-p/mctar-20xg2-blk.htm

Midwest Industries makes two piece free float handgaurds, and they probably have them in M lock.

Looks like MM beat me to it.

Sorry I missed the M-Lok part but cutting on one wouldn’t be that hard to do. There’s a few threads on arfcom detailing the job with nothing more than a dremel tool and a file.

I’ve looked at doing my 6720 a dozen times but I just don’t see the benefit outweighing the trouble. If it was a mid length I’d be more interested but still might not.

You’d certainly need to be choosy on which M-Lok rail you used, cutting away on the Picatinny rail part would weaken the whole rail. It would also have to have a big enough ID to slide the FSB into the cutout. Then you need room to drive the pins back in once the whole thing is stuffed over the barrel.

But it does look intriguing.

Here's something from the UTG Pro line. I know UTG is written off as airsoft junk, and some of it is. The 'Pro' line is supposedly serviceable. Maybe a no-go right out of the gate for you, but maybe something to consider.

Anyhoo, this is almost what you are looking for, but it is not free-float.
https://www.leapers.com/index.php?a...lids=2131_2132_2133&itemno=MTU015SSM



I do have one example of UTG Pro, it's a drop in two-piece quad rail handguard. It works fine.

Ideas here

https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Anyone-cut-a-handguard-/4-719367/

Just out of curiosity, why keep the A2 sight?

Troy Delta Rail. They work correctly, install easily with no modifications, and are quite durable.


The rest of the options are either not FF, require modifications, or are junk.

I have 2 other Troy rails and I like them but I’ve looked at the Delta rail before and the bottom section that hangs down is a no go for me.

I agree.

There’s a guy on FB called “Chop Boss” that’ll modify nearly any rail to do what you’re wanting.

Two reasons:
"Stuff" happens. If the sight is mounted to the handguard, and the handguard somehow gets moved slightly in relation to the barrel, your zero is lost. If the sight is mounted to the barrel, this doesn't happen.
Other "stuff" happens. That steel A2 front sight is about the toughest sight there is. This is why you see some people sticking with that front sight on truly "hard use" rifles. They are kind of in the way, and they aren't all that pretty, but they are tough.

Best,
Gundoc

You'd save so much trouble just going to a picatinny gas block.

That was my first thought as well, but it looks like hes dead set on keeping the A2 front sight.

gundoc, what rifle do you have? I'm assuming you want M-loc so you can mount a light or some other device. Would it be possible to just get rid of the A2 front sight, go with the lightweight handguard of your liking and then use a gas block with a picatinny like tyrone suggested? Then you could get a flip up front sight. There would be benefits in that as well. No A2 front sight getting in your way and scope use or red dot use wouldn't be a problem. What is your intention and general use going to be for this rifle?

You could even chop the A2 tower for the gas block and just put a flip up on the front of the HG's picatinny.

Chopped towers make really nice low-profile GBs.

I think hes trying to avoid putting a sight on the handguard. I can understand that if hes thinking more along the lines of precision, but with a 16" carbine, that wouldnt be my first choice. The reason i asked what his intended use would be for this rifle.

Kinda off topic a tad but....

I have magpie front hand guards in my ar. I also have a single point sling on it. I want to to make it a 2 point system, suggestions please.