Handguard, which one?

Frack N Cylons

Frack N Cylons

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I currently have a MI 13” Gen 2 (i think) handguard on my 3 gun rifle and I’m wanting to rebarrel that gun and stretch the handguard out to 15”. I’m not looking to spend a fortune but want a nice quality set up.

The R one from Aero looks nice but the lack of mlok at the 45s baffles me. Their sister company BA offers the Logic, which is very similar, but has 7 sides of mlok. The price looks good too, I’m hoping for less than $150 for Black Friday.

Any others to consider?
 
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I have several different versions of the 15" even 18" From Midwest Ind.

All are great and no complaints. Just depends on what the end game use is.
They have some nice light weight with short rails on top also larger full rails.
I have a few of their Suppressor Rails and they are nice. Some for PCC to keep 80 to 90% of the suppressor under the rail.and another 18" if I recall that keeps about about 20 to 25% under rail on a hunting gun.
No complaints with anything MI.
 
YHM has a wide range of designs you could browse and see if anything works. I have a couple of theirs, along with some PSA, MI, and who knows what else.
 
Frack N Cylons said:
I currently have a MI 13” Gen 2 (opi think) handguard on my 3 gun rifle and I’m wanting to rebarrel that gun and stretch the handguard out to 15”. I’m not looking to spend a fortune but want a nice quality set up.

The R one from Aero looks nice but the lack of mlok at the 45s baffles me. Their sister company BA offers the Logic, which is very similar, but has 7 sides of mlok. The price looks good too, I’m hoping for less than $150 for Black Friday.

Any others to consider?
Click to expand...

Just curious: what would you put at 45 on yer handguard for 3gun?
 
NKD said:
Just curious: what would you put at 45 on yer handguard for 3gun?
Click to expand...
That’s a good point, and one that I had considered. I don’t really have any plans for anything there, I just don’t really understand why you wouldn’t put mlok slots there. The only thing that might end up out there is a light.

I’ve still not ruled out the R One.
 
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Frack N Cylons said:
That’s a good point, and one that I had considered. I don’t really have any plans for anything there, I just don’t really understand why you wouldn’t put mlok slots there. The only thing that might end up out there is a light.

I’ve still not ruled out the R One.
Click to expand...

Had a similar short discussion in another thread about these.
I have an SBR 11.5” and can’t really use the Alpha I like because I want full top rail and those 45’s for a light mount. I’d seen the BA versions and might go with those.

But on my competition rifles I’ve realized I’ve never used anything on the front and enjoy a slim, more svelte shape. I use a bipod only for zeroing. The Aero without top rail is so nice and comfortable for this. I really love it. I have a 12” on a 14.5” carbine.
On my 18” 3gun rifle I use the ALG mlok 15” and it is rigid, light, and super comfy as well. Unfortunately these seem scarce now.

I think you should try the aero s-one of you decide you don’t need that 45 on that particular rifle. It’s pretty dang hard to beat.
I have found it’s a tight fit with certain gas blocks with a .750 journal.

Just my opinions, good luck!
 
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I have a 13.5" that was on a factory rifle. I liked it so much that I bought a second one for another rifle.

ar15discounts.com

- Centurion Arms AR-15 CMR M-LOK Handguard - AR15Discounts

The Centurion Arms CMR is designed to be a lightweight, simple, and effective free float handguard that is highly configurable for any mission. It features
ar15discounts.com ar15discounts.com
 
Me. said:
View attachment 525473
Click to expand...
I paid about $170 for my MCMR, $145 for the MI combat. The DD is pricey, though.
I also didn’t view the R-One price target as a firm overall budget. Under $200 seems like a reasonable “not a fortune” number for a nice handguard to me.
 
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Mcmr rails can be found used for $150 for sure.
 
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NKD said:
Just curious: what would you put at 45 on yer handguard for 3gun?
Click to expand...

Frack N Cylons said:
That’s a good point, and one that I had considered. I don’t really have any plans for anything there, I just don’t really understand why you wouldn’t put mlok slots there. The only thing that might end up out there is a light.

I’ve still not ruled out the R One.
Click to expand...
An Arisaka Light with inline mount is perfect for those 45 mlok slots! Also, You could mount a small switch for a light would go perfectly there as well, like a unity hot button.
 
I've had phenomenal experience with the Aero Atlas rails, DD rails, and MI rails.

If it's a 3 gun rifle I'd lean towards something light and handy like the Aero or the MI. A lot of manufacturers arent doing 45s on their rails for weight and OD reasons. Personally I couldnt care less about those positions, I just use offset mounts for lights.
 
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Pineapple said:
I have a 13.5" that was on a factory rifle. I liked it so much that I bought a second one for another rifle.

ar15discounts.com

- Centurion Arms AR-15 CMR M-LOK Handguard - AR15Discounts

The Centurion Arms CMR is designed to be a lightweight, simple, and effective free float handguard that is highly configurable for any mission. It features
ar15discounts.com ar15discounts.com
Click to expand...

I like these; I’ve got a 13”

15” Geissele Mk14 is my go to though hands down

OP what do you want to mount at 45*? Edit reread and saw your answer. But here’s my response to that:

I use an offset scout mount by Arisaka to tuck a light in at 45*
MmOFKln.jpg


ssrB8zH.jpg



The offset mount has got 3 mounting holes so I might move it up higher, closer to the middle of the 45* point after looking at these pictures

The Geissele Mk8 has 45* mlok slots but it’s not as slim as the Mk14, but this is the in-line mount that @Dstrbdmedic167 mentioned dropped in the 45* slot on one of mine
BDywCEw.jpg


fGmA1Xb.jpg




I’ve used MI mounts and they’re very slim and lightweight but the Centurion feels a little more sturdy (could be subjective) but both of them are so slim, any attachments and gas blocks have to be taken into account because they’re so narrow, mounting hardware can hit the barrel. I’ve had to trim several MLOK screws with the dremel for fitment. While the Geissele Mk14 is slightly larger, it is still slim (look at the picture from the front (#2) and is 100% the most solid rail I’ve used and you won’t have issues mounting things or using a larger gas block etc
 
Dstrbdmedic167 said:
An Arisaka Light with inline mount is perfect for those 45 mlok slots! Also, You could mount a small switch for a light would go perfectly there as well, like a unity hot button.
Click to expand...

For 3gun though?

Never seen anybody use a light in 3 gun.
 
The Aero S1 and R1 are popular in Three/Two Gun for a reason. Light, slim and minimalist. It doesn't need to be duty or combat ready, so the light weight and reduced number of mlok slots aren't a problem. The ZEV I use, its handguard is so close to the Atlas R1 in shape and configuration, I realize looking back that there was nothing wrong at all with the Aero S1 I traded off. For matches, an R1/S1 that you got on Black Friday for cheap would be a great choice. At its price point it's hard to beat.
 
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NKD said:
Had a similar short discussion in another thread about these.
I have an SBR 11.5” and can’t really use the Alpha I like because I want full top rail and those 45’s for a light mount. I’d seen the BA versions and might go with those.

But on my competition rifles I’ve realized I’ve never used anything on the front and enjoy a slim, more svelte shape. I use a bipod only for zeroing. The Aero without top rail is so nice and comfortable for this. I really love it. I have a 12” on a 14.5” carbine.
On my 18” 3gun rifle I use the ALG mlok 15” and it is rigid, light, and super comfy as well. Unfortunately these seem scarce now.

I think you should try the aero s-one of you decide you don’t need that 45 on that particular rifle. It’s pretty dang hard to beat.
I have found it’s a tight fit with certain gas blocks with a .750 journal.

Just my opinions, good luck!
Click to expand...

My Alpha has a full top rail, but it is the old VTAC alpha with the Troy mlok-type slots, not mlok. So, so close, yet so far.
 
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Chuckman said:
My Alpha has a full top rail, but it is the old VTAC alpha with the Troy mlok-type slots, not mlok. So, so close, yet so far.
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I'm such a moron. I keep calling the Aero an "alpha" but mean "atlas". I am not helping this convo with my old man ramblings.
I do like those Vtac's. Had one for a bit.


The Aero ATLAS comes in "S-One" or "R-One". One has top rail, and one only has little rail for front sight.

R-one:
apra500704a-ar15-12-inch-atlas-r-one-m-lok-handguard-black-1_2.jpgapra500105a-ar15-15-inch-atlas-s-one-m-lok-handguard-black-1_2_1.jpg
S-One:
 
12" Aero S-1 on a 14.5" SBR. This rifle is so light and fun for fast shooting and matches and whatnot. Had many handguards and this has been my favorite. More so than my SLR which cost a lot more. This thing is very rigid and I like the attachment system, even though it took a bit to get used to.

IMG_0032.jpg



The ALG 15" which was so great for the money. I think I paid like 100$ for this and it's good at any price:

IMG_0229.jpg
 
NKD said:
I'm such a moron. I keep calling the Aero an "alpha" but mean "atlas". I am not helping this convo with my old man ramblings.
I do like those Vtac's. Had one for a bit.


The Aero ATLAS comes in "S-One" or "R-One". One has top rail, and one only has little rail for front sight.

R-one:
View attachment 525568View attachment 525569
S-One:
Click to expand...

Yeah, no worries. A billion rails with so many similar names.

I also like the ALG, light, sturdy, inexpensive.
 
I have an Aero Atlas. Which I'm a big fan of. To be honest though, I haven't shot with it much, but it does feel great in the hand
 
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