Carbon Fiber On AR's

[Abraham]

I've seen some AR's advertised with Carbon Fiber handguards.

What do you guys think of them or know much about them?

Thanks!

[The Annoyed Man]

The ones I've seen were tubular, and were more for a hunting/target shooting type of setup, rather than a tactical setup. I guess there's nothing wrong with them, if that's how you want to customize your gun. Personally, I prefer a hand guard that has a single top rail, with key-mod type slots all over it where extra bits of rail can be positioned as necessary. That leaves the sides and bottom of the rail smooth and easier on the hands, without losing rail where you need it. I've posted this picture a number of times before, but this illustrates the kind of hand guard I'm talking about:


In the picture, there is only a top rail. I've since added a piece of rail about 2" long on the bottom right at the forward edge, so that I can mount a bipod there if I want to. But that type of setup is much easier on the hands; and while it may be a small amount heavier than a carbon fibre hand guard, it is also a lot more functional........at least in my opinion.

[Abraham]

TAM,

Thanks for taking the time to reply with words and excellent photos.

I too am a fan of Keymod. Both of my AR's have B5 Keymod handguards.

My interest in carbon fiber came from my experience with C. F. kayak paddles as they are fantastically strong/very light weight but super pricey. Though on an AR they might heat up beyond what's tolerable and once very hot, perhaps may even crack. Just guessing of course...

Thanks again!

[AdioSS]

CF is usually very heat resistant.

[OldCannon]

Conducts heat very poorly (like wood -- that's a GOOD thing), very lightweight, crazy strong. Not cheap though, but worth it.