New AR Build Question - Handguards

[Iowa Hick]

I have started my second AR build and like about everything that I do, I am doing it bass ackwards. Instead of building a new upper and then building a lower when I got more money, I built a complete lower and shut things down for a month or two. Anyway, I'm trying to decide what I want to do for a handguard. I know I want a quadrail, but I can't decide between mid-length and carbine length.

Here's what I do know I'll be going for:

16" threaded Chrome-moly Bull barrel
Flat top upper
CAA modular grip
CAA collapsible stock with adjustable cheek piece
For a scope I'll probably rob the Aimpoint Comp ML3 off of my AR10 until I can afford another one and at some point I want to get flip up iron sights to back it up with.

I'm leaning towards a mid-length because it gives me a little more rail to work with plus if I ever decided I wanted to mount a bayonet I could (not that I expect to, but you never know).

So anybody with an opinion please chime in, especially in recommending brands or sites where I can get a good deal. I am also open to totally different ideas as well.

Thanks.

[GixxerSixxer]

I didn't see you state your preference as to whether you wanted a carbine or mid-length gas system.

Think about what you want for a gas block/front sight. Do you want a flip-up front sight gas block, a railed gas block, a low profile, etc? Do you even want a front sight. Some people don't like them, on varmint rifles they tend to be absent. What's the role of the rifle you're building?

If you want a carbine gas system then going with a mid-length rail system will have the gas block covered by the rail. So if you want a railed or flip-up block then that rules out the middy rail system. You could use a low-profile gas block with a car gas system and then put a Troy Flip-up sight on the end of the rail.

If you want an extended sight radius then the middy will be great for that.

If you go with the middy you could still use a low-profile block and rail mounted sights. It all depends on how you'd like the rail to barrel transition to look.

[Iowa Hick]

Sorry I should have been more specific. I will get a barrel with a gas system to match my handguard. I intend to have a railed gas block and eventually mount a flip up front sight on it. The gun will mostly be for defense/range etc. Basically I'm building it to be "tacticool". I don't really have a need for a defense rifle, but fear the government enough to believe that I better build one now because I might not have the option in the future.

[stmcelroy]

Basically I'm building it to be "tacticool".

Then you really do not want a chrome moly BULL barrel. Get yourself a Government profile barrel, and make sure that it is chrome lined.

Middy would be great, but I'd only do it if you were buying quality barrel and parts. Otherwise just get the carbine length gas system.

Better yet might be just picking up a used Stag M4 upper setup. I picked up one with less than 500 rounds through it with Surefire railed handguards($175ish) for $500 shipped.

Good luck,

Steve

[MrMurphy]

Stay away from the CAA crap. There's better, for not much more, everywhere.

Vltor's stocks are far superior and not that expensive. Ditto TangoDown VFGs, etc.

[Iowa Hick]

Well its not just to be tacticool, I'm too practical to build something that is completely unjustified. I go shooting almost every two weeks and generally fire around 200 rounds of .223. Government profile barrels get hot alot faster than bull barrels do. I will definitely get chrome lined though.

As for buying a complete upper, I enjoy building my own equipment even though on my last build it cost me a little more.

Stay away from the CAA crap. There's better, for not much more, everywhere.

Its a little too late at this point, I already have my lower built with the CAA parts. So far I like the way they feel, I'll have to check out those other brands if I build another one.

[Mwildt]

I went with a mid length along with a Larue 11" forearm and Troy flip up sights. I'm all kinds of giddy right now waiting for everything to show up. I've been piecing this damn thing together for well over 2 years now :upeyes:

[DaBigBR]

Realize that there is a difference between "chrome lined" and "chrome moly".

For an inexpensive quadrail, look at Midwest Industries, Troy, or YHM.

[Iowa Hick]

Originally posted by DaBigBR
Realize that there is a difference between "chrome lined" and "chrome moly".

Yup I realize it.