AR Novice handguard question

[Redfisher60]

Looking to replace the handguard in the image and not sure what I need. Will a new handguard come with everything I need to install/mount? Pretty sure I have all the tools needed I just don't understand how the handguard mounts to the upper based on what is in the image. I'm also having trouble removing the gas block., I've loosened the allen screws on the bottom but it only slides about a 1/4". Is there a specific handguard where the Pic rail on the upper mates with the pic rail on the handguard?

 

[Trigger Monkey]

There’s no image.

 

[Redfisher60]

There’s no image.

there is now

 

[alamo5000]

There is no picture but handguards usually come with a barrel nut. Not all barrel nuts are compatible with all hand guards.

What tools you need depends on the barrel nut design.

 

[Redfisher60]

There is no picture but handguards usually come with a barrel nut. Not all barrel nuts are compatible with all hand guards.

What tools you need depends on the barrel nut design.

I just added the images

 

[Trigger Monkey]

When you buy a hand guard it will come with the barrel nut and hardware you need. Sometimes they come with a tool to engage the barrel nut to torque it down. Hand guards like the one pictured can be loosed up with a standard armorer’s wrench and a strap wrench.

I’ve had to remove stubborn gas blocks before and usually one of two things work for me.

1. Take the gas tube off, heat it up with a torch, and beat it with a wooden dowel rod.

2. Take the gas tube off, spread the jaws on your vise so that the top and bottom of the gas block rest on the tops of the jaws. Heat the gas block and rest a 2x4 flat on the muzzle and smack it hard. Have something soft below to catch the receiver.

 

[alamo5000]

To get the gas block off remove the screws entirely. Usually the barrel has dimples drilled in that line up with the screws.

It's possible that they are loosened up but still seated in those dimples.

 

[Redfisher60]

When you buy a hand guard it will come with the barrel nut and hardware you need. Sometimes they come with a tool to engage the barrel nut to torque it down. Hand guards like the one pictured can be loosed up with a standard armorer’s wrench and a strap wrench.

I’ve had to remove stubborn gas blocks before and usually one of two things work for me.

1. Take the gas tube off, heat it up with a torch, and beat it with a wooden dowel rod.

2. Take the gas tube off, spread the jaws on your vise so that the top and bottom of the gas block rest on the tops of the jaws. Heat the gas block and rest a 2x4 flat on the muzzle and smack it hard. Have something soft below to catch the receiver.

That is an older upper will all handuards mate with it?

 

[alamo5000]

That is an older upper will all handuards mate with it?

Handguards are not standard and neither are barrel nuts. This is why they come in a set.

In general the answer is no, the only handguards that will fit are from the same manufacturer and even then it's not guaranteed.

 

[alamo5000]

To get the gas block off remove the screws entirely. Usually the barrel has dimples drilled in that line up with the screws.

It's possible that they are loosened up but still seated in those dimples.

If that doesn't work then use some carbon cleaner and let it get up under the gas block and just work it from time to time as it soaks.

 

[TonyAngel]

Is that magwell block what you're going to use to remove the old barrel nut and install the new one.

Although many have used a magwell block and have gotten away with it, I've also seen a number of cases where the locator pin in the barrel extension snapped, the upper receiver was damaged by the locator pin or the pivot and/take down lugs got damaged.

The ideal tool for removing and installing barrel nuts would be one that clamps into your vice and engages the lugs in the barrel extension.

What brand of upper is that and is the handguard the one that came with it? I'm asking because some manufacturers put some sort of thread locker on their barrels nuts and they can be a bear to get off. In the case, the use of a magwell block is definitely the wrong tool.

Handguards typically come with their barrel nuts. They usually don't mix and match. I'm not sure what you mean by a handguard that "mates" with the upper. Many handguards come with anti rotation tabs, but fit varies from loose to needing to remove some material to make it fit. I'm sure there is someone out their making a receiver and handguard combo intended to fit together, but it isn't the norm.
The gas block is likely carbon locked. Squirt some carbon cleaner or clp in there and try twisting it off. If you do go beating on the muzzle end of the barrel, put a flash hider on it or something. Make sure its bottomed out so you dont mess up the threads.

 

[Redfisher60]

Is that magwell block what you're going to use to remove the old barrel nut and install the new one.

Although many have used a magwell block and have gotten away with it, I've also seen a number of cases where the locator pin in the barrel extension snapped, the upper receiver was damaged by the locator pin or the pivot and/take down lugs got damaged.

The ideal tool for removing and installing barrel nuts would be one that clamps into your vice and engages the lugs in the barrel extension.

What brand of upper is that and is the handguard the one that came with it? I'm asking because some manufacturers put some sort of thread locker on their barrels nuts and they can be a bear to get off. In the case, the use of a magwell block is definitely the wrong tool.

Handguards typically come with their barrel nuts. They usually don't mix and match. I'm not sure what you mean by a handguard that "mates" with the upper. Many handguards come with anti rotation tabs, but fit varies from loose to needing to remove some material to make it fit. I'm sure there is someone out their making a receiver and handguard combo intended to fit together, but it isn't the norm.
The gas block is likely carbon locked. Squirt some carbon cleaner or clp in there and try twisting it off. If you do go beating on the muzzle end of the barrel, put a flash hider on it or something. Make sure its bottomed out so you dont mess up the threads.

I got the barrel nut for the hand guard off, yeah the mag block probably wasn’t the right tool, though I do own the right tool. What I mean by mates are that sone handguards seem to have an elevated pic rail. Now I just need to decide on a new hand guard. The upper and lower are I believe Tactics LLC, out of Tempe. Specialized Dynamics built the gun 15-20 years ago.

 

[MO Fugga]

Most new handguard top rails will line up just fine.

 

[WeR0206]

I got the barrel nut for the hand guard off, yeah the mag block probably wasn’t the right tool, though I do own the right tool. What I mean by mates are that sone handguards seem to have an elevated pic rail. Now I just need to decide on a new hand guard. The upper and lower are I believe Tactics LLC, out of Tempe. Specialized Dynamics built the gun 15-20 years ago.View attachment 8737338

Whats your budget for the new handguard?

Also if you dont have one already I would get an Upper Receiver Rod from Midwest Industries or a Magpul Bevblock so you can secure the upper properly before torquing the barrel or muzzle device on.

Here are some options for handguards im various prices:

• SOLGW 13” Blem M89 Rail (OEM is Hodge Defense ($225)
• Cross Machine Tool 15” Handguard (aluminum barrel nut) ($180)
• Geissele MK16 15” handguard (aluminum barrel nut) ($265)
• Hodge Defense 13.5” Spine lock Rail ($300)
• Expo Arms (Zev) 13” Wedgelock Handguard ($270)
• Sgt of Arms 15" MLOK Slim Handguard ($170)
• White Oak 14.6” TR M-Lok Handguard ($150)
• AR-Stoner V2 FDE Handguard ($102)
• KAK 15” handguard ($120) (see HERE for install guide)
• BCM MCMR 15” Rail with steel nut ($175)
• LaRue ($?)
• Radian
• Daniel Defense

 

[Redfisher60]

Whats your budget for the new handguard?

Also if you dont have one already I would get an Upper Receiver Rod from Midwest Industries or a Magpul Bevblock so you can secure the upper properly before torquing the barrel or muzzle device on.

Here are some options for handguards im various prices:

• SOLGW 13” Blem M89 Rail
• Cross Machine Tool 15” Handguard (aluminum barrel nut) ($180)
• Geissele MK16 15” handguard (aluminum barrel nut) ($265)
• Hodge Defense 13.5” Spine lock Rail ($300)
• Expo Arms (Zev) 13” Wedgelock Handguard ($270)
• Sgt of Arms 15" MLOK Slim Handguard ($170)
• White Oak 14.6” TR M-Lok Handguard ($150)
• AR-Stoner V2 FDE Handguard ($102)
• KAK 15” handguard ($120) (see HERE for install guide)
• BCM MCMR 15” Rail with steel nut ($175)

Is that an upper receiver rod in the above image? I think it is. I notice you didn’t mention Aero Precision.

 

[WeR0206]

Is that an upper receiver rod in the above image? I think it is. I notice you didn’t mention Aero Precision.

Yep. Sorry I didn’t see it in your pic. Yeah Aero has some decent rails as well. There are endless vendors these days.

What’s the use case for this upper? Once you determine that then picking the proper handguard will be the next step. What I mean by this is if you just want the upper to be a general blaster then you can get one of the handguards that are in the lower price range Like a KAK or AR stoner, etc. But if you want a more precision build than something like SOLGW M89/Hodge Defense, Geissele, certain Aero handguards, etc. would be better.

 

[Redfisher60]

Yep. Sorry I didn’t see it in your pic. Yeah Aero has some decent rails as well. There are endless vendors these days.

What’s the use case for this upper? Once you determine that then picking the proper handguard will be the next step. What I mean by this is if you just want the upper to be a general blaster then you can get one of the handguards that are in the lower price range Like a KAK or AR stoner, etc. But if you want a more precision build than something like SOLGW M89/Hodge Defense, Geissele, certain Aero handguards, etc. would be better.

It’s an 18” Grendel, use is just slapping steel. I got tired of having to attach the bipod via a swivel stud when every thing else I own is Arca or pic rail.

 

[WeR0206]

It’s an 18” Grendel, use is just slapping steel. I got tired of having to attach the bipod via a swivel stud when every thing else I own is Arca or pic rail.

Im really partial to the SOLGW/Hodge Defense handguards bc I love the beefy steel barrel nut (that doesn’t require timing with the gas tube) and anti rotation pin but they are kinda pricey if not on sale…for your use case I would prob just grab an aero/bcm/white oak handguard for like $150 and call it a day. KAK at $120 is another solid option

Geissele 13.5” Mk16’s are on sale at primary arms right now for $230 which is an insane deal (normally well over $300)

https://www.primaryarms.com/geissele-automatics-mk16-super-modular-m-lok-rail-black-13.5?quantity=1&custcol_pco=Orphan

This is another good deal for $160 (the oem for these is zev)

Expo Arms® M-LOK Enhanced Wedgelock AR-15 Handguard - 13"

The Expo Arms AR-15 Enhanced Handguard features one of the most durable barrel nut locking mechanisms on the market.

www.primaryarms.com

 

[Kayakfish1]

If you’re running arca on a bipod or tripod I am very impressed with this

Cross Machine Tool HDM ARCA Swiss Style Rail - 15"

CMT ARCA compatible AR15/M16 rails offer an integrated ARCA SWISS mounting surface providing the ability to use ARCA compatible tripods without adding additional components to your rail/rifle.

www.primaryarms.com

Ijust built this 6 arc upper and haven’t shot it yet but so far it seems pretty solid