Magpul MOE Handguards. Questions and Thoughts?

[Nailgun_Nixon]

Heyo!

 

New poster and long time lurker and I have a question as I start out to build my first LR-308.  Does anyone have any experience using the magpul MOE handguards on their LR-308's or AR15s?

 

Specifically, I'm curious as to how stable they are and how well they perform as a mounting platform.  I don't trust free float barrels and I don't need NEARLY that much rail to do what I need it to do but I'd still like a rifle that can hold zero. Any input that you can give me would be more than welcome.

[unforgiven]

Welcome from Indiana brother Nailgun.Magpul has great products,I use them.I have foliage green handguards on a AR15 and use thier rails.BUS,Moe+ grips,slingS3,and trigger guard.Good stuff.

[MikedaddyH]

The Magpul MOE handguards need to be trimmed to fit the LR-308 , also had to add a screw/bolt with nut to secure the halves together. Works great but install is custom.

[george_995]

Welcome. Why don't you trust free floated barrels?

[survivalshop]

I like the MOE hand guards , but FreeFloat hand guards can't be beat for stability for mounting equipment & bipods. Not to mention a more accurate shooting platform .

 

 

Welcome to 308AR

Edited August 22, 2013 by survivalshop

[washguy]

Hi Nail freefloat equals accuracy and holding zero.....just do it...lol

I use magpul acs stocks on all my rifles.....they are more substantial than a moe and man do they lock down...no wiggle no movement nada! :) Wash

[FaRKle!]

I had MOE handguards on my AR-15 but the way I grip the gun (thumb over top) didn't fit well with the handguards. Since they have a sloped in top section with the widest portion in the lower 1/4 of the handguard, there wasn't enough material on the side of the handguards to fill the contour of my palm. This led to hand fatigue quicker.

[shibiwan]

+1 for full float handguards for better overall performance, accuracy, mounting etc. Depending on which float tube you get, the rigidity of the float system is surprisingly solid. I guess it's the perception that it is "floating" that makes you feel otherwise.

 

Not sure why you'd want to go MOE since they are a step down from the full float counterparts..... and besides you can get one with a removeable top rail if you don't need it.

 

P.S. I have an extra ACS-L stock for sale if anyone's interested.

Edited August 22, 2013 by shibiwan

[unforgiven]

Post a pic of the stock brother.

[washguy]

here's some magpul acs 's on some different weapons  :)   Wash

 

 

 

[blue109]

I love that stock. Have 2 at the moment :)

[shibiwan]

Post a pic of the stock brother.

 

Here it is, with some other parts (also available separately). It's like what wash posted but without the two battery tubes on the sides. The stock is for a mil-sized buffer tube.

 

 

Edited August 23, 2013 by shibiwan

[unforgiven]

Probably should be in WTS section.How much for the parts brother??

[blue109]

On a semi related note...since this thing already spun off track lol..

Only difference in the ACS and the -L is the battery tubes, and they pop right off. I have one of each and have been thinking of putting one battery tube on each ACS.

[shibiwan]

LOL... didn't mean to thread jack. I wasn't even thinking of "selling" it quite yet but the thought just came up when I made that post....

 

Anyway PM me. Don't want this to keep going the wrong direction.

[washguy]

outdoorgearbarn has good pricing on magpul http://www.outdoorgearbarn.com/p-21534-magpul-ar15-acs-adaptable-carbine-storage-stock-mil-spec-black.aspx#.UheCBcu9KSM Wash

[Nailgun_Nixon]

Greh... Aaaaaand, my hard drive died.

To answer the question, I distrust free-floating due to the fact that it offers no protection should you strike the exposed portion of the barrel against something or trip and put it into the dirt. I know we pride ourselves on our ability to handle a firearm but, well, things happen. Non-float handguards lend rigidity to the barrel assembly in the same way that flying buttresses prop up the walls of a cathedral, making the barrel less vulnerable to being bent, snapped or yanked out of place by such an impact.

As to my original question, how much play do the handguards themselves have? I do eventually plan to mount an IR laser and I would need that to hold zero.

Thanks for the warm welcome and unfortunately, I come to you from occupied territory: The people's republic of California.

[blue109]

I don't know man...I think if you manage to wack a barrel hard enough to bend/break it, a plastic handguard won't help much. I'd think the upper would fail before the barrel? With a FF you can set it up so much less barrel is actually exposed.

[FaRKle!]

 

 

Greh... Aaaaaand, my hard drive died.

 

SSD time!

 

 

 

I distrust free-floating due to the fact that it offers no protection should you strike the exposed portion of the barrel against something or trip and put it into the dirt. I know we pride ourselves on our ability to handle a firearm but, well, things happen. Non-float handguards lend rigidity to the barrel assembly in the same way that flying buttresses prop up the walls of a cathedral, making the barrel less vulnerable to being bent, snapped or yanked out of place by such an impact.

 

So you plan on taking this rifle with you to war very soon to club some tangos? As practical as you make it sound, it isn't practical to sacrifice daily accuracy and precision for the <1% case that you manage to bump the rifle so damn hard that the barrel gets that bent... Long FF rails will cover more of the barrel and protect it more.

 

I could definitely affect the POI on my carbine with the MOE handguards by manipulating the sling.

[shibiwan]

So you plan on taking this rifle with you to war very soon to club some tangos? As practical as you make it sound, it isn't practical to sacrifice daily accuracy and precision for the <1% case that you manage to bump the rifle so damn hard that the barrel gets that bent... Long FF rails will cover more of the barrel and protect it more.

 

 

Maybe the OP is a juggler?

 

IMO regular handguards do nothing to strengthen the barrel since they are merely plastic pieces clipped on to the barrel and held by the delta ring. Barrels are surprisingly strong. If you hit the barrel hard enough to damage it, you'll have other problems on the rifle to worry about.

 

-S

Edited August 27, 2013 by shibiwan

[survivalshop]

I trust the repeatability of a FF hand guard attachments any day over a std. type hand guard. Which is how the MOE attaches .

 

 

Edited August 28, 2013 by survivalshop

[GRA]

Welcome. Why don't you trust free floated barrels?

 

Very simple; Weight !!! 

[george_995]

Very simple; Weight !!! 

? You the same person? Answer has nothing to do with reliability. 

[GRA]

? You the same person? Answer has nothing to do with reliability. 

 

May not in your opinion but I've never had any problems with the original style hand guards which is what I mostly prefer to build with and use for my personal weapons.  I simply don't prefer quadrails and the reason is weight.

[george_995]

May not in your opinion but I've never had any problems with the original style hand guards which is what I mostly prefer to build with and use for my personal weapons.  I simply don't prefer quadrails and the reason is weight.

And I quote shibiwan from the first page because his analysis nails it, "IMO regular handguards do nothing to strengthen the barrel since they are merely plastic pieces clipped on to the barrel and held by the delta ring. Barrels are surprisingly strong. If you hit the barrel hard enough to damage it, you'll have other problems on the rifle to worry about."

 

But I do agree about saving weight to an extent, there are to many variables with different builds. Me personally I don't shoot three gun or etc,  so I don't mind a heavier piece.

Edited May 16, 2015 by george_995