
Handguards
- In StockMIDWEST INDUSTRIES 15in Slim Line Handguard (MI-SLH15)4140 Heat Treated Barrel NutBarrel Nut and Wrench IncludedFeatures Patented 4140 Heat Treated Torque Plate15.00" overall length11.6oz Installed Weight6061 Aluminum Type 3 Hard Coat ...$159.95★★★★★3 review(s)
- In StockTROY Alpha AR-15 15in Battle Rail, Black (STRX-AL1-15BT-01)Genesis of modular free float railsDisperses heat and runs cooler than other close to the barrelComes with two 2" and one 4.2"detachable rails and all mounting hardwareMachined from ...$154.83
- In StockAIM SPORTS Extended HK91/G3 M-Lok Standard Handguard (MMH94)Compatible with most HK91/G3 variantsMagpul M-Lok modular mounting systemU.S. made steel mounting hardwareBlack anodized 6061 T6 aluminum3.4 inch rail space forward of front sightPicatinny and ...21% off$68.89$87.15★★★★★1 review(s)
- In StockUTG PRO AR-15 Carbine Length Drop In Quad Rail Handguard (MTU001)Proudly Designed and Made in USAClever Top/Bottom Two-piece Design with Integral Spinal Cords/Alignment Housing for Perfect fit with Barrel Nut and Round Front CapMade from Aircraft Aluminum with ...$55.62
- In StockDANIEL DEFENSE M4A1 FSP RIS II Rail Interface System Flat Dark Earth Handguard (01-004-08030)Aircraft Grade 6061-T6 AluminumFree-Floating Barrel Design For Increased AccuracyTwo-Piece Design for USSOCOM Allows For the Attachment of an M203 Grenade Launcher When Lower Rail Section is ...$485.00★★★★★1 review(s)
- In StockLuth-AR Palm Handguard, 15", M-LOK, Aluminum, Free Float, Barrel Nut Included, Fits AR-15 Rifles, Black HG-V-15MFree FloatM-LOK Mounting Surface The Palm Handguard 15" free float tube features a triangular profile that conforms to the palm of your hand, giving you a secure and comfortable grip on your ...$94.46
- In StockGEISSELE AUTOMATICS Super Modular MK8 10.5in DDC M-LOK Rail (05-1657S)M-LOK attachment points in the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions and the upper 45deg quadrantsVenting in the lower 45deg quadrants to dissipate heat and cut down on weightGeissele proprietary ...10% off$293.05$325.00
- In StockBRAVO COMPANY MCMR AR-15 5.56mm 13in Black M-LOK Rail (BCM-MCMR-13-556-BLK)M-LOK Compatible mounting systemFree Float Handguard eliminates loads from barrel, reducing the deflection for more accurate shootingPrecision Machined Aerospace 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy, for high ...$190.76★★★★★3 review(s)
- In StockBRAVO COMPANY BCM KMR Alpha 10in KeyMod Free Float Handguard (BCM-KMR-A10-556-BLK)Manufactured from aluminumOfferes 4 different offset mounting positions between traditional 3,6,9, and 12:00 positionsKMR barrel nut fits over all mil-spec diameter barrels (max of 1 in.)Includes ...$182.24
- In StockMAGPUL MOE SL Midlength AR15/M4 Black Handguard (MAG551-BLK)For AR15/M4 firearms with mid-length gas systemNarrow design replaces factory 2-piece, mid-length plastic hand guardsEasy to install utilizing existing delta ring and round front hand guard ...$37.44★★★★★1 review(s)
- In StockMAGPUL MOE SL Midlength AR15/M4 Flat Dark Earth Handguard (MAG551-FDE)For AR15/M4 firearms with mid-length gas systemNarrow design replaces factory 2-piece, mid-length plastic hand guardsEasy to install utilizing existing delta ring and round front hand guard ...$37.44
- In StockTIMBER CREEK OUTDOORS Enforcer 9in M-Lok Black Hand Guard (M-E9-HG-BL)Slim lightweight design integrated with modular flexibilityDurable aircraft grade billet aluminum bodyNo timing or shims requiredFull length mil-spec 1913 picatinny railCompatible with AR 15 ...$143.99
- In StockBRAVO COMPANY AR15 MCMR 5.56mm M-LOK Compatible Black Modular Rail (BCM-MCMR-15-556-BLK)M-LOK Compatible mounting systemFree Float Handguard eliminates loads from barrel, reducing the deflection for more accurate shootingPrecision Machined Aerospace 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy, for high ...$198.66★★★★★1 review(s)
- In StockBRAVO COMPANY KMR Alpha 5.56 13in KeyMod Black Rail (BCM-KMR-A13-556-BLK)13" Free floating KeyMod handguardAluminum/magnesium alloyHard coat anodized finishModular designIncludes BCM KeyMod Sling MountBlack Finish$199.18
- In StockBRAVO COMPANY KMR Alpha 5.56 15in KeyMod Black Rail (BCM-KMR-A15-556-BLK)15" Free floating KeyMod handguardAluminum/magnesium alloyHard coat anodized finishModular designIncludes BCM KeyMod Sling MountBlack Finish$198.66★★★★★1 review(s)
- In StockKEL-TEC Compact PLR-16 Synthetic Black Forend (PLR16921)Fits Kel-Tec PLR-166 o'clock Picatinny-style railMade of PolymerBlack Finish$46.86
- In StockBRAVO COMPANY KMR Alpha 5.56 7in KeyMod Black Rail (BCM-KMR-A7-556-BLK)7" Free floating KeyMod handguardAluminum/magnesium alloyHard coat anodized finishModular designIncludes BCM KeyMod Sling MountBlack Finish$175.37★★★★★1 review(s)
- In StockMAGPUL MOE SL AR15,M4 Carbine-Length Black Handguard (MAG538-BLK)Narrow design replaces bulky M4 Carbine-type plastic hand guardsEasy to install utilizing existing delta ring and round front hand guard retaining cap with A2 front sight assemblySlots at the two, ...$37.44★★★★★1 review(s)
- In StockMAGPUL MOE SL AR15,M4 Carbine-Length Flat Dark Earth Handguard (MAG538-FDE)Narrow design replaces bulky M4 Carbine-type plastic hand guardsEasy to install utilizing existing delta ring and round front hand guard retaining cap with A2 front sight assemblySlots at the two, ...$37.44★★★★★1 review(s)
- In StockUTG Pro M-Lok AR-15 15in Super Slim Free Float Black Handguard (MTU019SSM)15" M-LOK Super Slim Free-floating Handguard with Proprietary Barrel Nut Design56 M-LOK Slots on 7 Slot Tracks for Mounting M-LOK Rails and Direct Accessories, Easily Tailoring the Rifle to ...$144.97★★★★★1 review(s)
A handguard is needed to protect your non-dominant hand from the heat coming from the barrel. During long-lasting shooting sessions, the barrel gets hot, and if not for handguards, it would be impossible to use a rifle for a long time.
Handguards also protect your weapon from damage and allow for the attachment of different mounting accessories like sights, foregrip, laser, lights, and other stuff.
Today, the market carries lots of AR-15 handguards of different types, lengths, and materials. So the question is how to choose a handguard that is right for you and your rifle? Let’s dig in.
Drop-in vs. Free-float Handguards
An AR-15 drop-in handguard is very easy to install. It can be done in a couple of minutes. The parts of the most drop-in handguards are fastened together by a cap in the front and secured by a delta ring in the rear. One more advantage is a broad price range. You can find cheap drop-ins, but be mindful of the quality of such products.
The disadvantage of such a system is that it contacts the barrel which can potentially affect accuracy.
AR-15 free-float handguards are booming today, gradually driving drop-in handguards from the market because they offer much more advantages. First of all, it doesn’t contact the barrel which results in higher accuracy. Also, they are lightweight and more robust due to their monolithic nature. Free float design is available in different lengths, and the longer the handguard, the more surface there is for attaching accessories.
Compared to a drop-in, a free-float handguard is more expensive and may require special tools for installation.
Picatinny vs. Keymod vs. M-LOK
Picatinny rail system is the standard in military and law enforcement. It features dovetail angles and grooves for mounting compatible accessories. This system is often used for a quad-rail handguard design where there are 4 rails placed on each side of a handguard. And while it is still preferred by many firearm owners, it’s losing its popularity because it's heavy and has sharp edges that can cut your hands or get caught in the clothes.
Keymod system has mounting slots resembling keyholes. To secure an accessory on a Keymod handguard, you need to insert the mounting lug into a slot and slide it to the narrower end. Thanks to such a design, the accessories are easier to align.
M-LOK system uses narrow, most often rectangular, slots. It offers great flexibility as you don’t need to position the mounting lug on a particular side of a slot like in Keymod. It means that you’ll have fewer issues when arranging all the accessories attached to your handguard. One more advantage is that the market of attachments that use the M-LOK system is greater than that of the Keymod.
On GritrSports.com, you’ll find the best drop-in and free-float handguards for AR, AK, or any other rifle. The handguards are manufactured by brands like Midwest Industries, Magpul, UTG.