HBi foregrip/handguard

[HBi]

@biggerhammer - YES! That is such a great idea! If we can figure out how to make the barrel fixations affordable (so many critical dimensions, so many machining operations, heat treated, we might just buy them from CZ-USA... $70 is a steal, we just need to sort out the gen1/gen2 feed ramp situation) we could definitely do that. And you are welcome to the first one :-)

We are working on barrels right now :-)

[biggerhammer]

HBI, so glad to hear you're working on the barrels. I 100% agree that the factory fixations are a steal at $70, it seems like that would be the way to go. I wasn't aware that there was a gen1/2 feed ramp to deal with. I have complete confidence that you'll figure out a solution in no time. Now back to the Micro barrel, when you make mine, just go ahead and mill a 3-lug right into it. Now that would be pure awesomeness! And since you won't have to cut the 1/2-28, the cost should be a wash right lol?

[1BallJay]

HBi, if you're doing barrels I will be the second in line (behind hammer). I'll even send in my fixation I snagged from CZ that I planned to get put on a barrel I had cut. Hell, I'll pre-order and pay in full now! Really want that K version with those HG's.

[HBi]

We have several here, so I figured that a picture might help. Gen1/Gen2 trunnions, feed ramp is about 1mm different, as it the mating pocket in the lower receiver. The easy way to tell them apart is that Gen1 is a two piece trunnion (note the keyed lip on the topside), and gen2 is one piece.

[techspec6]

Hey HBi,

Really loving the new foregrip.  I found out what you guys meant by the charging handle binding a little.  It was enough for me to go back to the plastic charging handle, problem solved.  The lub helped but after 20 or so pulls, it wanted more.  You guys have any plans on releasing an extended plastic charging handle?  If not, I'll make due with the factory one.  I'll miss my red HBi extended charging handle.

Jason

[HBi]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for the kind words on the handguards. Did you happen to try the lighter charging handle spring in yours? If not, it makes a huge difference in how all of the different charging handles operate in the aluminum handguard.

The factory charge handle is alright without the picatinny rails right there, but agree with you on wanting the extended/colored charging handles. We are actually looking at doing polymer charging handles. We have made prototypes, but before kicking off tooling will probably do a thread here on the forum asking what people want to see for cosmetics... ie: factory look or something more exotic.

One other thing to look at, if you haven't already, double check that the backside of the red finger catch is completely flush with the outside diameter of the charging handle rod. One of our testers had a charging handle from another manufacture that was actually dragging a bit on the backside (where the retaining spring loop is). Like opposite the side of the finger catch that you grab when you operate it. I *think* that you have one of our charging handles on your gun, but maybe there could be a similar issue?

[cocowheats]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for the kind words on the handguards. Did you happen to try the lighter charging handle spring in yours? If not, it makes a huge difference in how all of the different charging handles operate in the aluminum handguard.

The factory charge handle is alright without the picatinny rails right there, but agree with you on wanting the extended/colored charging handles. We are actually looking at doing polymer charging handles. We have made prototypes, but before kicking off tooling will probably do a thread here on the forum asking what people want to see for cosmetics... ie: factory look or something more exotic.

One other thing to look at, if you haven't already, double check that the backside of the red finger catch is completely flush with the outside diameter of the charging handle rod. One of our testers had a charging handle from another manufacture that was actually dragging a bit on the backside (where the retaining spring loop is). Like opposite the side of the finger catch that you grab when you operate it. I *think* that you have one of our charging handles on your gun, but maybe there could be a similar issue?

I want a Kriss Vector snap back style charging handle!!!

[13moons]

@biggerhammer - YES! That is such a great idea! If we can figure out how to make the barrel fixations affordable (so many critical dimensions, so many machining operations, heat treated, we might just buy them from CZ-USA... $70 is a steal, we just need to sort out the gen1/gen2 feed ramp situation) we could definitely do that. And you are welcome to the first one :-)

We are working on barrels right now :-)

sign me up for # 2.

the k hand guard is  #1 on my wish list. 

i dread not having my scorpion around and the down time is preventing me from pulling he trigger.


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[techspec6]

HBi,

Yes, I did use the lighter spring.  I used the lighter included replacement spring from the start so I never compared it to the heavier spring.


In the image below, the (A) points to some of the paint scraped off of the handguard.  The silver strip (B) is where the edge of the new handguard stripped the hardcoat anodizing off the charging handle.


In the next image, you can see where (D) the charging handle scraped the surface.  The other side (C) is just for comparison of what it looked like before.  I used a sharpy to repaint the scraped surface.  It's got that purpley black ink look to it but it cannot be seen in most lighting situations.  I play things safe, which is why I started with the lighter spring.  I also started with some grease in the charging handles channel because I thought that's where the friction problem would originate.  I didn't anticipate it rubbing on the outside.  After I identified the source of the friction after about 3 pulls, I greased the area (D).  There wasn't much damage at that point, but after about 20 energetic pulls on the charging handle, it became clear that I'd have to use the factory charging handle.  No problem after that.



I'm very satisfied with my purchase.  It's exactly what I wanted... until someone mentioned the k-style package.  bleepit.
If you make a barrel, fixation and k-style hand guard package, sign me up.  Even better if it comes with a threaded 3-lug.

Jason

[HBi]

Hi Jason,

Thank you so much for the detailed images; other people will surely find this info useful. It is exactly what we have seen in the past and it seems like it effects some shooters more than others. To your point, its not the charge handle channel but rather the finger catch to handguard surfaces that don't get along.

Are you using a barrel cooler on yours? Or do you have a sleeve on your barrel? Can't tell from the picture, but it looks interesting?

[techspec6]

My current configuration.  Got the kinect quick detach mlok rail with the bcm vert grip.  Might grab a magpul mlok vert to replace it, though I do love the quick detach ability.


The barrel cooler was a little tricky and required some modification.  First off, since the barrel is now free floating, I wanted to maintain that despite the debatable benefits.  By installing the barrel cooler backwards, I was able to make the barrel cooler only contact the barrel itself, not the new handguard mount on the fixation.  I trimmed the barrel cooler down on the open chamber side that now was on the muzzle end.  I also trimmed one side of the original plastic washer and seated it between the barrel nut and cooler.  The idea was that since aluminum and steel have drastically different expansion rates, I didn't want the barrel cooler to shift my POI.  The plastic washer should absorb some of the extra expansion.  In theory, there shouldn't be much difference since the barrel is always going to be hotter than the cooler.  After a quick 200 rounds, the handguard was warm and the POI did not shift in the least.


Just a side view of the setup.  Everyone that's seen/shot it loves it.  The 3lug I used is the one offered by HKparts and the muzzle device is the B&T one from HKparts.  The B&T compensator is mostly just a temporary fix until my griffin rev45 is out of jail but I gotta say, it shoots very flat.  Partially because of the extra weight at the end and partially because it is a compensator.


Jason

[Arokcrwlr]

Very nice tech.  Thanks for posting your pics - I was actually thinking of using the factory barrel nut to retain the retention deal for the muzzle device.

I'll echo your comments on the HBI forearm.  It is what I was waiting for.  Thanks to HBI for producing such great products.  Like everyone else it seems, I'm waiting for my Rugged Obsidian 45 to be paroled, but the Scorpion is turning out to be one of my favorites.  It was meant to be SBR'd and run with a suppressor.

[Default.mp3]

I would just like to relay this story of HB Industries' customer service.

I had ordered a K length handguard on the 13th. When I received it on the 16th (Wednesday), I opened the box to find that they had shipped me a pistol length handguard. I sent off an email at 1823 CST; I had a return shipping label in my inbox at 1824 CST, and an explanation of the return process from Phil at 1826 CST (including a tracking number for my actual K length handguard, as they were cross shipping it). I had a replacement K length handguard in my hands by the 19th (Saturday).

HB Industries's extremely responsive customer service in this instance has definitely made me a believer in their CS at the very least. I look forward to acquiring more parts from them as they come back in stock.

[KevGuillot]

Are yall planning to release an extended charging handle that's made of polymer so we can use them with your handgaurd? That's what is keeping me from purchasing your handgaurd, I ain't going back to the super shorty handle.

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[techspec6]

Hey KevGuillot,

I was upset at having to go back to the OEM charging handle too.  After begrudgingly installing it, I reached up and tested it.  I was surprised at how much I didn't mind it.  I still want an extended polymer charging handle.  Since there's nothing mounted on that side, only the bare MLOK slots, there's nothing for my knuckles to scrap along.  I remember scraping my knuckles on the OEM handguard side rails.  Not a problem on the Hbi handguard.

I just ordered the HBi k style hand guard.  That's how upset I am about the OEM charging handle now.  I'd still like them to release one.

-Jason