AR handguard heat shield?

[buck91]

Any thoughts on forearm guards with vs without heat shields? Specifically looking at the mlok free float mid length but a little concerned how it does without a heat shield. Even with relatively ligth range sessions I notice a lot more heat build up with my carbine length AR than other firearms I shoot.

 

[billt460]

I have always followed the belief that if a barrel is too hot to touch, it is too hot to shoot. I can't imagine how hot you would have to get a barrel before the forend became too hot to handle. Obviously in a military firefight this would not pertain. But that isn't what is happening with firearms at BITOG.

 

[ZeeOSix]

 

[bubbatime]

I've always found the aluminum free float hand guards to absolutely SOAK up any heat. They get hot as can be. The plastic carbine double heat-shield ones that are cheap, are actually really good. I routinely warm up my hand guards to way past too hot to hold, at which point I will let it cool or last ditch move my support hand to the magazine to save from burning myself.

True story- AR15 barrels get HOT, even after a few shots. I told a friend not to touch a barrel, as it was likely 300-400 plus degrees and scalding hot. He said, "No way, loo...... OUCH!!!!" as he grabbed the barrel and learned first hand.

 

[Toros]

Originally Posted By: bubbatime
I've always found the aluminum free float hand guards to absolutely SOAK up any heat. They get hot as can be. The plastic carbine double heat-shield ones that are cheap, are actually really good. I routinely warm up my hand guards to way past too hot to hold, at which point I will let it cool or last ditch move my support hand to the magazine to save from burning myself.

True story- AR15 barrels get HOT, even after a few shots. I told a friend not to touch a barrel, as it was likely 300-400 plus degrees and scalding hot. He said, "No way, loo...... OUCH!!!!" as he grabbed the barrel and learned first hand.


Agreed. Fire a 30 rd. magazine or 2 and rain drops vaporize. Does not have to be rapid fire either.

 

[billt460]

If you're worried about barrel and handguard heat in AR-15 platform rifles and pistols, buy yourself one of these.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/529577/caldwell-accumax-barrel-cooler-ar-15

 

[Rusty9]

The lightweight free float handguards do get hot with a few magazines, but they also cool off fast as well.

When it gets too hot to hold you can use gloves. Or if you attach a vertical grip that will solve the problem as well.

It is just the price you pay for the incredible light weight and modularity that the M-LOK style handguards bring to the table.