Go to handguard for precision build on forged upper

[dgheriani]

What are some go-to handguards for a precision AR build on a forged upper with 20" hbar. Looking to minimize poi shift when going from bipod/prone to tripod or off a bag. Preferably 15", able to find a SA adjustable underneath, full pic rail at 12:00 and mlok otherwise. Always been partial to MI Combat rail as a good balance of price/weight but never did test one for poi shift.

 

[oldrifleman]

I am partial to the JP Mk 3 hand guards on a thermal fit barrel.

 

[MSTN]

I've had excellent results with Geissele hand guards.

 

[N_Turs]

Jp or Geissele all the way, Ive used both and have had great results. The Jp barrel nut system I feel helps minimize the POI shift but they are huge and kinda ugly. The Geissele rails are my go to now.

 

[dgheriani]

Yeah, I guess I can't go wrong with JP or Geiselle. I don't mind the look of the JP rails at all but I'm not a fan of having to add a top (full-length) pic rail. I'm leaning towards the Geiselle Mk16. Anything else to consider? I'm kinda curious about the MI Night Fighter handguard with it's long barrel nut. I know the intention is to maximize zero retention for LAMs and the like but would that also translate into less POI shift?

 

[owtlaw]

I went with an Aero Enhanced upper and I've had great results. The handguards are big for sure but they work great, especially when shooting off a bipod.

 

[epaultmbt]

I've never owned a JP hand guard, but I've had several Geissele's. I've seen POI shift from all of them, always strait down.

MK18
Single pull ckye-pod at end of hand guard, zeroed
Single pull ckye-pod at the base of hand guard, down 0.4
off a bag at the base of the hand guard , down 0.6

MK16, 15"
Single pull ckye-pod at end of hand guard, zeroed
Single pull ckye-pod at the base of hand guard, down 0.4
off a bag at the base of the hand guard , down 0.4

Superduty (MK16 15" hand guard)
Single pull ckye-pod at end of hand guard, zeroed
Single pull ckye-pod at the base of hand guard, down 0.2
off a bag at the base of the hand guard , down 0.4

I heard that bridging the upper to the hand guard with a rail riser or scope mount could improve or fix the shift. I haven't had a chance to try. If anyone has a MK16/18 and wants to try it please let us know how it works out. Anecdotally I believe that longer hand guards shift more due to greater pressure on the barrel nut. I really like Geissele's stuff and I'll keep buying it and using it. A wise man told me to zero to the center of the shift and don't shoot stuff smaller then that with a gas gun.

I haven't seen any shift from Larue Ptober large or small frame or the MGU. The only boltgun Ive seen shift is a MK22 MRAD it's down 0.2-0.4 consistently across several guns. It's been a while since I've owned a Seekins but across 3 large frame uppers and one small frame upper I don't remember any shift.

 

[N_Turs]

Depending on how much you think you'll have into the build and how much your willing to spend might look at Ridgeline Defense. I recently sold a Jp rifle to snag an upper that popped up in the px here. I haven't done any POI testing with it yet and have only shot it a bit but its a very nice upper. So far I'm impressed me with the groups it produced with federal 77 smk.

 

[Biggy]

SOLGW M89 or L89 Drive lock Mlok rails are very robust and rigid.

 

[powdahound76]

I have had good success on rifles with both the BCM MCMR and the MI Combat Rail.

Hold their own to 600-700 yds and hit where I am aiming.
No issues.