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| Handguard | Price | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer Lightweight Carbon Fiber | $225 | 13″ | 11.0 oz |
| Faxon Carbon Fiber | $300 | 15″ | 7.99 oz |
| Midwest Industries Lightweight M-LOK | $190 | 12.5″ | 8.2 oz |
| Bravo Company KMR Alpha | $190 | 12.625″ | 8.8 oz |
| Brigand Arms Carbon Fiber Braid | $230-350 | 12.4″ | 4.3 oz |
Baseline and Comparison Metrics
To get a sense of how light some of these handguards are…let’s take a look at some more known weights of standard polymer and quadrail handguards. We’ve got some standard things in there like Price, Length, and Weight.  But we’re also going to throw in some new metrics to figure out the best deal per length ($/inch) and the best weight ratio (oz/inch). I’m also going to looking at rifle-length handguards (~12″) since that is the most standard for competitors.  And M-LOK because that’s what I prefer…although most will have KeyMod versions too. Here’s our M-LOK vs KeyMod resource. And a lot of manufacturers leave out the barrel nut that connects the handguard to the rail.  So I’m putting them separately whenever possible.Magpul Rifle Length Handguard (Polymer)
- Price: $37
- Length: 12.6″
- Handguard Weight: 12.1 oz
- Barrel Nut Weight: NA
- Total Weight: 12.1 oz
- Price/Length:Â $2.93/inch
- Weight/Length:Â .96 oz/inch
Daniel Defense DDM4Â (Quad Rail)
- Price: $375
- Length: 12.4″
- Handguard Weight: 12.4 oz
- Barrel Nut Weight:Â 1.7 oz
- Total Weight:Â 14.1 oz
- Price/Length:Â $30.24/inch
- Weight/Length:Â 1.13 oz/inch
Lancer
$225
at Rainier Arms
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
- Price: $225
- Length: 13″
- Handguard Weight:Â 8.6 oz
- Barrel Nut Weight:Â 2.4 oz
- Total Weight:Â 11.0 oz
- Price/Length:Â $17.31/inch
- Weight/Length:Â .85 oz/inch
Faxon
I’ve finally got the Faxon Carbon Fiber in hand…
- Price: $300
- Length: 15″
- Handguard Weight:Â 6.71 oz
- Barrel Nut Weight:Â 1.28 oz (.77 oz for titanium)
- Total Weight:Â 7.99 oz
- Price/Length:Â $20.00/inch
- Weight/Length:Â .53 oz/inch
$329
at Faxon
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM)
The previous leader in the lightweight race with their magnesium rails (original KMR)…the new generation aluminum KMR Alpha ($190) is still an awesome contender and proven in the field. You can tell the old-school (now unobtanium) KMR from the Alpha rails by the white logos on the Alphas. Â Also only available in KeyMod.
$206.95
at Classic Firearms
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
- Price: $190
- Length: 13″
- Handguard Weight:Â 7.8 oz
- Barrel Nut Weight:Â 2.4 oz
- Total Weight:Â 10.2 oz (original one was 2 oz lighter)
- Price/Length:Â $14.62/inch
- Weight/Length:Â .78Â oz/inch
Bravo Company KMR, Magnesium
Midwest Industries
LWMG3 (4 Sides)
$190
at Optics Planet
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
- Price: $190
- Length: 12.5″
- Handguard Weight:Â NA
- Barrel Nut Weight:Â NA
- Total Weight:Â 8.2 oz
- Price/Length:Â $15.2/inch
- Weight/Length:Â .66 oz/inch
G3 ML (8 Sides)
$179
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
- Price: $190
- Length: 12.625″
- Handguard Weight:Â NA
- Barrel Nut Weight:Â NA
- Total Weight:Â 8.8 oz
- Price/Length:Â $15.05/inch
- Weight/Length:Â .70 oz/inch
Brigand Arms
$233.10
at OpticsPlanet
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Available Coupons
-
25% off all OAKLEY products – OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
- Price: $296
- Length: 12.4″
- Handguard Weight:Â 2.9 oz
- Barrel Nut Weight:Â 1.4 oz
- Total Weight:Â 4.3 oz
- Price/Length:Â $23.87/inch
- Weight/Length:Â .35 oz/inch (Damn son!)
Conclusion
27 Leave a Reply
I have owned and thoroughly tested 3 JAG Composites Carbon fiber handguards. The 9" and 10.5" ultralight, and the 10.5" extreme duty.
As an ex infantryman, I would definitely recommend any of the three for full on duty use.
There are reviews of all three on my youtube channel @Valorius.
Hey,
This is a great article I keep coming back to... But it needs a refresh! would love to see how smoke composites CF handguards stack, not to mention some of the light weight options like the S-One from Aero. Lots more choices today!
I'd love to throw my company's handguard into the mix. We currently make the lightest weight one. JAG Composites
I always feel that it's unfair to compare the Brigand to other handguards, because the Brigand doesn't have any easy to use any accessories or attachments. They do make a railed version, but it's hard to find info about the weight.
Vseven or its lil bro Darkhour defense
V Seven MAGNESIUM HYPER-LIGHT M-LOK HANDGUARD at 15" is 8.8oz. 6.8oz for handguard and 2oz for titanium barrel nut. This will be my next handguard for sure!!
Smoke composite and V Seven both make light handguard options as well.
I would love to see your take on the Coda Evolution Lightning Carbon Fiber Handguard, it is coming in at 7.8 oz for the 15" inch version.
I've heard good things about it but I haven't gotten to play with one yet, it is on the list though!
Brigand Arms is not only the lightest but the strongest I've found. It has a tensile strength of 200 pounds according to the manufacturer, and they love showing their handguards hold heavy weights. If you can trust a KMR or standard polymer handguards for SHTF, then this should blow you away.
Precision Reflex PRI Delta series. Original AR handguard profile. Pricey,but worth every penny
Almost 1500 rails in the PWD now!
I see someone else has already mentioned the ALG EMR rail but I second that. I have the V3 13"... I forget exact specs but it's around 13oz and has a full top rail... It was around $100 during holiday sales (and I saw even better prices this year). By far the best bank/buck quality FF tube imo.
Good comparison, but if you want a wider comp with many more options, check out the ar15 Parts Weights Database (PWD). Google it, it's a Google Sheet that has almost 1200 rail systems alone...and lots of other weight data on AR parts. Great resource.
Seekins NOXS rails should have made this list.
15" weighs 9.2oz and the barrel but comes in at 2.6oz.
And it is made in the USA.
you should have included the matrix rails. i dunno how light they are, but they're cheap, and claim made in usa status.
No Odin Works O2?
I'm surprised not to see vseven weapon systems on this list. They make some pretty lightweight titanium rails. I think their 15" handguard weighs in at 10.4 oz. Not sure if it requires a barrel nut or uses the standard.
What's your opinion on the SLR rifleworks? Namely, their helix series?
This keeps coming up...I'll dig into it.
When will you build some for the AK ?
Hey Jul, not sure sure if there's any lightweight handguards for the AK, but I'm working on more AK articles. But first...AR-10's coming soon.
Awesome info Eric! I have two spare lower's I had planned to start my 1st real builds with, instead of the pre fab AR's I usually purchase, but man is it overwhelming just figuring out where to go next! I know I want a tactical version like the one I carried in OEF and OIF, and maybe one for any match I may venture into eventually. I do know that I don't just want another off the shelf model, but one that is unique for me, since for some odd reason the Army refuses to give me my issued one because of some, "me being a civilian" and "It being government property", technicality! :)
Awesome Ray, let me know how they turn out!
Not impressed.
Kind of reminds me of some of the 4x4s at SEMA.
They're sexy but they just aren't quite there...
Great write up. Have you tried any of the ALG EMR Rails?
I haven't but they make good triggers!