AR10 Handguard options? Badger Stabilizer?

LoneWolfUSMC

Lt. Colonel
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 9, 2008
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Southern Indiana
www.8541tactical.com
I am trying to decide on a handguard system for my AR10 build.

I need to be able to forward mount a NV device and would also like to be able to mount a backup front sight.

I do shoot offhand from time to time and also from packs/improvised rests.

I have been looking at the Badger Stabilizer, the DD Lite and the JP/V-Tac. The badger looks to be the heaviest of the three, but also the least expensive. It seems like it will fill my needs better than the DD which will require me to cover half the bottom rails. The JP/V-Tac looks pretty nice but I haven't heard much about them.

For those of you who use the Badger unit, does it throw off the balance of the weapon badly? Heavy I can handle as long as there is some balance to it. I have a Magpul PRS installed so that does add some ballast to the butt.
 
Re: AR10 Handguard options? Badger Stabilizer?

I am having the same issue. I am going to SHOT in hopes that someone else comes up more options.

I'll keep you posted....
 
Re: AR10 Handguard options? Badger Stabilizer?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For those of you who use the Badger unit, does it throw off the balance of the weapon badly? Heavy I can handle as long as there is some balance to it. I have a Magpul PRS installed so that does add some ballast to the butt. </div></div>
I have an AR15 with the Badger and the Magpul PRS. It balances out just fine. I wouldn't trade the badger for anything else.
Be mindful of the barrel you choose as it is obviously the biggest factor determining balance. Avoid barrels over 20 inches long and don't get a heavy contour.
 
Re: AR10 Handguard options? Badger Stabilizer?

Honestly I'v had a bitch of a time getting my Badger to stay put on my 5.56 upper. If I didn't have to take it apart every 400 rds, and came with the rails standard, it'd score highly with me.

Most FF tubes I've seen have a piece the threads against the rotation of the tube. The badger has no such locking mechanism so it is prone to slipping. Oh and the barrel nut is completely smooth and thus a joy to try and tighten without your friend's strap wrenches.
 
Re: AR10 Handguard options? Badger Stabilizer?

SWS

al6ckm.jpg


ar_10_sniper_rifle_tube.jpg


ar10_sniper_rifle_free_float_tube.jpg


If Troy made one of these for AR10s it would rock.

STRX-ELI-S3BT-00-2.jpg
 
Re: AR10 Handguard options? Badger Stabilizer?

I have ran the Badger and a Daniel Defense. I liked the Badger the best, the DD was tacticool and very light, but the BO suited many shooting positions, as well as having a standard sling stud for a bipod. Weight is not too much of a issue, with the AR10, whats a few extra ounces.

Kirk R
 
Re: AR10 Handguard options? Badger Stabilizer?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BugSniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Honestly I'v had a bitch of a time getting my Badger to stay put on my 5.56 upper. If I didn't have to take it apart every 400 rds, and came with the rails standard, it'd score highly with me.

Most FF tubes I've seen have a piece the threads against the rotation of the tube. The badger has no such locking mechanism so it is prone to slipping. Oh and the barrel nut is completely smooth and thus a joy to try and tighten without your friend's strap wrenches. </div></div>
You must be confused. The barrel nut is square so you can put a wrench on it. It does have an inner nut but that is not what you tighten. It is used for a gross adjustment before you tighten the nut up.
 
Re: AR10 Handguard options? Badger Stabilizer?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Humungus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You must be confused. The barrel nut is square so you can put a wrench on it. It does have an inner nut but that is not what you tighten. It is used for a gross adjustment before you tighten the nut up. </div></div>

Going by memory here, but since screwing the trapezoidal "fixture" does not secure the barrel from flying downrange, wouldn't the smooth sleave be the actual barrel nut? I'm not familiar with the naming rules in place.

Either way, the entire badger unit can be loosened because there is nothing locking its counterclockwise rotation. The flat base lends itself to bumps actually causing spin compared to striking a circle which has to be done very near a tangent.
 
Re: AR10 Handguard options? Badger Stabilizer?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BugSniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Humungus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You must be confused. The barrel nut is square so you can put a wrench on it. It does have an inner nut but that is not what you tighten. It is used for a gross adjustment before you tighten the nut up. </div></div>

Going by memory here, but since screwing the trapezoidal "fixture" does not secure the barrel from flying downrange, wouldn't the smooth sleave be the actual barrel nut? I'm not familiar with the naming rules in place.

Either way, the entire badger unit can be loosened because there is nothing locking its counterclockwise rotation. The flat base lends itself to bumps actually causing spin compared to striking a circle which has to be done very near a tangent. </div></div>
I looked back at my instruction sheet and you are correct in that the "smooth sleeve" is called the barrel nut. The trapezoidal fixture is called the screw mounting block.

The mounting block is the actual item that you tighten up. The nut is not actually tightened down per se. It is adjusted by hand to allow the mounting block to be torqued properly with a wrench.

To do it properly you need to tighten and loosen the block several times and make sure the final torque is between 35 to 60 foot pounds. I did not use a torque wrench but instead I just tightened the shit out of it. There is absolutely no way it is coming loose without a wrench taking it back off.

If yours is coming loose it is because it was improperly installed. I don't say that in a belittling way it is just the truth. I can try to explain it in further detail if you need some assistance with it.

I don't know if you have a copy of the instruction sheet but if you don't and can't find it I can scan it and post it up for you.