Looking to upgrade my AR hand guards. Wanted to get quad rails to replace the ones that came from supplier. My understanding is I have a carbine length AR, my measurements tell me my handguards measure at 8 1/2 inches with a 16 inch barrel. Just want to make sure I order the correct guards since we don’t exactly live in a free state where I could just see what works. Thanks in advance gents.
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Ar handguard Q
- Thread starter Duke91
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ErnstStavro
NES Member
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If I recall correctly, sounds like you have a carbine length gas system. What kind of upper are you replacing it on? Does it have a front sight post? What rail are you thinking of? two peice, free float?
Why quad rails? Too heavy. Not comfortable to hold. Diameter is way too large.
Get handguards with a pic rail on top and M-lok on the side.
You can mount shit on a handguard with M-lok on the bottom and side. It will hold zero just as well, be much lighter, and you'll be able to hold onto the handguard better due to a smaller diameter.
I agree with what everyone has said about the quad rails but they are a decent option if you want the old school look.
I got 3 Daniel Defense Rifles with their quad rails on and they are tanks, more weight but chances are your not carrying it on a combat patrol so who cares, if you like the look then go for it.
I got 3 Daniel Defense Rifles with their quad rails on and they are tanks, more weight but chances are your not carrying it on a combat patrol so who cares, if you like the look then go for it.
That looks like a mid-length handguard, not carbine.
Carbine is 7”
Mid-length is 9”
But the plastic handguards are slightly shorter because the delta ring takes up the remainder of the distance.
I’m assuming your rifle has a front sight base and a standard barrel nut/delta ring. That will complicate handguard options and installation.
If you do have the delta ring/front sight base with the handguard cap and want to be able to swap your handguard without a lot of effort, Daniel Defense has this option. They used to have both a picatinny and mlok version of the Omega, but I have only seen the mlok version recently.
Omega Rail® 9.0 M-LOK®
The Daniel Defense Omega Rail is a premium upgrade to AR’s with plastic handguards and is now available with the KeyMod or M-LOK attachment system. Its free float design allows the individual operator to install it with the Allen Wrench provided and requires ZERO modification to the weapon! It...
danieldefense.com
If you don’t mind removing the delta ring and cutting off the handguard cap, you can use a Centurion Arms 2-piece without removing your front sight base. There are both mlok and picatinny options, as well as options to end before the front sight or have a little bit extending over the front sight.
C4 Rail, Mid Length Cutout Rail Handguard
Centurion's patented mid length C4 rail system is a lightweight, rugged, 2-piece, free-float rail that offers a continuous top rail. Cutout for front sight.
centurionarms.com
C4 M-LOK Rail (Mid Cut)
The C4 MLOK rail system is based off the patented quad rail version. It is a lightweight, rugged, 2-piece free float mid length rail with room for a front sight post.
centurionarms.com
Other than those, you’ll pretty much have to remove and reinstall your front sight base. There is a special jig to make that easier.
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just trying to make it look like an M4 as much as possible. Just want to order and know I can mount a grip and RCOThat looks like a mid-length handguard, not carbine.
Carbine is 7”
Mid-length is 9”
But the plastic handguards are slightly shorter because the delta ring takes up the remainder of the distance.
View attachment 947615
I’m assuming your rifle has a front sight base and a standard barrel nut/delta ring. That will complicate handguard options and installation.
If you do have the delta ring/front sight base with the handguard cap and want to be able to swap your handguard without a lot of effort, Daniel Defense has this option. They used to have both a picatinny and mlok version of the Omega, but I have only seen the mlok version recently.
Omega Rail® 9.0 M-LOK®
The Daniel Defense Omega Rail is a premium upgrade to AR’s with plastic handguards and is now available with the KeyMod or M-LOK attachment system. Its free float design allows the individual operator to install it with the Allen Wrench provided and requires ZERO modification to the weapon! It...
If you don’t mind removing the delta ring and cutting off the handguard cap, you can use a Centurion Arms 2-piece without removing your front sight base. There are both mlok and picatinny options, as well as options to end before the front sight or have a little bit extending over the front sight.
C4 Rail, Mid Length Cutout Rail Handguard
Centurion's patented mid length C4 rail system is a lightweight, rugged, 2-piece, free-float rail that offers a continuous top rail. Cutout for front sight.C4 M-LOK Rail (Mid Cut)
The C4 MLOK rail system is based off the patented quad rail version. It is a lightweight, rugged, 2-piece free float mid length rail with room for a front sight post.
Other than those, you’ll pretty much have to remove and reinstall your front sight base. There is a special jig to make that easier.
DarthRevan
NES Member
Don’t let the losers talk you out of a quad rail if it’s what you want. Embrace the GWOT.
I’ll break it down Barney style. I served 5 years in the Corps. After that never cared for the AR platform. Bought one when Maura put a ban on it. I figured I’d at least make it look somewhat like what I carried since I completed my basic CMP collection.
ErnstStavro
NES Member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2013
- Messages
- 211
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- 202
That looks like a mid-length handguard, not carbine.
Carbine is 7”
Mid-length is 9”
But the plastic handguards are slightly shorter because the delta ring takes up the remainder of the distance.
View attachment 947615
I’m assuming your rifle has a front sight base and a standard barrel nut/delta ring. That will complicate handguard options and installation.
If you do have the delta ring/front sight base with the handguard cap and want to be able to swap your handguard without a lot of effort, Daniel Defense has this option. They used to have both a picatinny and mlok version of the Omega, but I have only seen the mlok version recently.
Omega Rail® 9.0 M-LOK®
The Daniel Defense Omega Rail is a premium upgrade to AR’s with plastic handguards and is now available with the KeyMod or M-LOK attachment system. Its free float design allows the individual operator to install it with the Allen Wrench provided and requires ZERO modification to the weapon! It...
If you don’t mind removing the delta ring and cutting off the handguard cap, you can use a Centurion Arms 2-piece without removing your front sight base. There are both mlok and picatinny options, as well as options to end before the front sight or have a little bit extending over the front sight.
C4 Rail, Mid Length Cutout Rail Handguard
Centurion's patented mid length C4 rail system is a lightweight, rugged, 2-piece, free-float rail that offers a continuous top rail. Cutout for front sight.C4 M-LOK Rail (Mid Cut)
The C4 MLOK rail system is based off the patented quad rail version. It is a lightweight, rugged, 2-piece free float mid length rail with room for a front sight post.
Other than those, you’ll pretty much have to remove and reinstall your front sight base. There is a special jig to make that easier.
Good call.
If you want to make it like what you carried, you’ll need a different barrel. Almost certain you have a midlength gas system. Pick up a 14.5” Complete Colt M4 barrel assembly with a KAC RIS handguard and get an A2 pinned and welded with a 0.2” shim.
But, if you’re okay with “close enough” with your current barrel, get a 9” Daniel Defense Omega quad rail. It will drop in on your barrel for that GWOT look but is also free float. Lots of troops would use the 7” version to get a free float rail without receiving the unwanted gaze of their 1SG or CSM.
Daniel Defense Omega 9.0 Free Float Handguard Quad Rail AR-15
The Daniel Defense Omega Rail system is the most exciting rail system to hit the market in years! The Omega Rail is a free float rail system that allows...
www.midwayusa.com
But before you do, take a tape measure and find out the distance between your upper receiver face and the back of your front sight base.
Da_lucche
NES Member
Quads make me erect.
Da_lucche
NES Member
I have the c4 cutout carbine...shwing!That looks like a mid-length handguard, not carbine.
Carbine is 7”
Mid-length is 9”
But the plastic handguards are slightly shorter because the delta ring takes up the remainder of the distance.
View attachment 947615
I’m assuming your rifle has a front sight base and a standard barrel nut/delta ring. That will complicate handguard options and installation.
If you do have the delta ring/front sight base with the handguard cap and want to be able to swap your handguard without a lot of effort, Daniel Defense has this option. They used to have both a picatinny and mlok version of the Omega, but I have only seen the mlok version recently.
Omega Rail® 9.0 M-LOK®
The Daniel Defense Omega Rail is a premium upgrade to AR’s with plastic handguards and is now available with the KeyMod or M-LOK attachment system. Its free float design allows the individual operator to install it with the Allen Wrench provided and requires ZERO modification to the weapon! It...
If you don’t mind removing the delta ring and cutting off the handguard cap, you can use a Centurion Arms 2-piece without removing your front sight base. There are both mlok and picatinny options, as well as options to end before the front sight or have a little bit extending over the front sight.
C4 Rail, Mid Length Cutout Rail Handguard
Centurion's patented mid length C4 rail system is a lightweight, rugged, 2-piece, free-float rail that offers a continuous top rail. Cutout for front sight.C4 M-LOK Rail (Mid Cut)
The C4 MLOK rail system is based off the patented quad rail version. It is a lightweight, rugged, 2-piece free float mid length rail with room for a front sight post.
Other than those, you’ll pretty much have to remove and reinstall your front sight base. There is a special jig to make that easier.
silversquirrel
NES Member
.
tuna
NES Member
To be fair “old school” look can include the round plastic handguards
Round handguards are only old school for shortys. For a rifle they're middle aged. Triangle handguards are the OG.
That’s what I got.If you want to make it like what you carried, you’ll need a different barrel. Almost certain you have a midlength gas system. Pick up a 14.5” Complete Colt M4 barrel assembly with a KAC RIS handguard and get an A2 pinned and welded with a 0.2” shim.
But, if you’re okay with “close enough” with your current barrel, get a 9” Daniel Defense Omega quad rail. It will drop in on your barrel for that GWOT look but is also free float. Lots of troops would use the 7” version to get a free float rail without receiving the unwanted gaze of their 1SG or CSM.
Daniel Defense Omega 9.0 Free Float Handguard Quad Rail AR-15
The Daniel Defense Omega Rail system is the most exciting rail system to hit the market in years! The Omega Rail is a free float rail system that allows...
But before you do, take a tape measure and find out the distance between your upper receiver face and the back of your front sight base.
Attachments
Okay. Yeah, you have a mid-length gas system. The Daniel defense Omega 9” (8.8” or whatever it’s listed as) will be your simplest decent quality quad rail replacement. But you’ll need a new barrel if you want an M4 clone build.
Midwest industries does offer a two piece drop in quad rail that isn’t free float, but you’re not saving much money over the DD Omega, and the Omega was used in GWOT.
Yup. You take off the plastic handguards and install this one according to the instructions. No need to remove the barrel, front sight base, or even the handguard cap behind the front sight base.
Daniel Defense Omega 9.0 Free Float Handguard Quad Rail AR-15
The Daniel Defense Omega Rail system is the most exciting rail system to hit the market in years! The Omega Rail is a free float rail system that allows...
www.midwayusa.com
