Aluminum is much more resistant to heat, although it will heat up itself and can be hot under extreme conditions. Aluminum can, however, emit a little more heat during an extended shooting session than a polymer handguard. Both of these materials are very durable, and aluminum will usually going to be the stronger of the two. Taking the time to find and use the right handguard for you and your shooting style is very important to having the perfect AR 15! What are Handguards Commonly Made From?įor most handguards, the two most commonly used materials are polymer and aluminum. While we mentioned that the main function of a handguard is to protect a shooter’s hand from the heat from the barrel while shooting, many accessories can also be added to aid in shooting such as angled back up iron sights, lights, lasers, or forward grips.
Handguards make a huge difference when it comes to each individual AR 15, from things such as appearance, weight, and function. This was the beginning of the lightweight and functional handguards that we now know and use today. At the time of its inception, this was a huge leap forward in firearm design as the handguard, the buttstock, and the pistol grip were all made of lightweight plastic instead of the traditional wood furniture used in guns like the M1 Garand.
When it comes to the AR 15 or M16 platform, the first handguards were designed to incorporate into the rifle’s overall design for being lightweight.Įarly model handguards for the M16 were triangular in shape, and extended down the length of the barrel to the front sight block. The handguard on an AR 15 is the section of your firearm that surrounds a portion of the barrel that is used, as the name implies, to guard your hand from the heat generated from shooting and to hold and support the firearm with your non-trigger hand. So what is the big deal with the handguard? Even the multiple different names (handguard, forend, forearm, fore grip, etc.) can seem a little odd but they all mean the same thing. With all of these options available, it can sometimes be confusing. Just like every other part of the firearm, AR 15 handguards come in plenty of different options and are very modular.
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