Just bought my first AR... lower.

[SlvrDragon50]

Got my upper in!

The dust cover doesn't look the greatest, and there's a couple marks, but it'll be a lot worse after use anyways.

I ended up buying an LPK from Midway USA for $20 on sale, an AR Stoner kit. Picked up a case feeding lip I wanted for my Hornady LnL at the same time. A spring and pin kit would have been $10, and I would need a magazine catch still.

I saw the ALG, but I did not see the blems. 82.50 is pretty impressive for the V2. Though I'm really shooting for lightweight, and the MI Handguard shaves 4-5 oz. And if I can get it on sale at $150, I think it's a pretty good deal! If I see a SLR Helix for $200 I think I'll get that too.

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[gnumadic]

Got my upper in!

The dust cover doesn't look the greatest, and there's a couple marks, but it'll be a lot worse after use anyways.

I ended up buying an LPK from Midway USA for $20 on sale, an AR Stoner kit. Picked up a case feeding lip I wanted for my Hornady LnL at the same time. A spring and pin kit would have been $10, and I would need a magazine catch still.

I saw the ALG, but I did not see the blems. 82.50 is pretty impressive for the V2. Though I'm really shooting for lightweight, and the MI Handguard shaves 4-5 oz. And if I can get it on sale at $150, I think it's a pretty good deal! If I see a SLR Helix for $200 I think I'll get that too.

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Probably $20 well spent. I like the look of the SLR...lightweight and more skelotonized/mimimalist material. Should show off that fluted barrel really well!

[Earl Keese]

Which MI hand guard are you looking at? When I compared weights I thought the V2 was within a couple ounces and the V1 about an ounce. Not to say a couple ounces doesn't matter, it all adds up. I was also concerned about the MI limiting gas block choices with its 1.3" inside diameter. Also, for my purpose, I didn't need any fixed pic rail. Anyway, no big deal, just wondering for discussion purposes. Looking forward to seeing some finished rifles in this thread. My barrel should ship next week and I'm buying the scope tomorrow. All that's left for me is a side charging upper.

[SlvrDragon50]

http://www.primaryarms.com/midwest-industries-gen-3-lightweight-m-lok-series-one-piece-free-float-handguard-15-black-null

This one is 9.4oz including the barrel nut while the V2 is 14oz including the barrel nut. I am worried about that, but the MI handguard is a pretty popular handguard so I think there will be a lot of people who can guide me. I think the Superlative Arms block will fit. I think set screw versions are usually a bit more low profile though?

[Earl Keese]

According to your link and the MI page, the 15" G3 is 10.3 oz. and ALG site says V2 w/nut is 13 oz., so only 2.7 oz difference. Either way, the MI is the lighter choice. For me, component research is at least half the fun of working on AR's.

[SlvrDragon50]

According to your link and the MI page, the 15" G3 is 10.3 oz. and ALG site says V2 w/nut is 13 oz., so only 2.7 oz difference. Either way, the MI is the lighter choice. For me, component research is at least half the fun of working on AR's.

Oops, I linked the wrong one: https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/product-p/mi-lwm15g3-blk.htm

But yea, lighter choice still. SLR Helix is the dream at 9 oz altogether, but I don't know if it's worth an extra 80 over the Midwest Industries. I think it definitely looks a lot better than the MI though!

[gnumadic]

According to your link and the MI page, the 15" G3 is 10.3 oz. and ALG site says V2 w/nut is 13 oz., so only 2.7 oz difference. Either way, the MI is the lighter choice. For me, component research is at least half the fun of working on AR's.

Oops, I linked the wrong one: https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/product-p/mi-lwm15g3-blk.htm

But yea, lighter choice still. SLR Helix is the dream at 9 oz altogether, but I don't know if it's worth an extra 80 over the Midwest Industries. I think it definitely looks a lot better than the MI though!

I had the MI LWM and SLR Helix on my spreadsheet (the latter is super light and priced like it). One thing I didn't like about the MI was the adhesive used for installation. What happens when you want to take off the handguard to adjust the gas block? When I watched the video below I was impressed by the machining and tight tolerances that go into the ALG products. And Bill is just cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z86hO6rF8KQ

[Elcid]

My other builds.

[SlvrDragon50]

How do you like SLR handguards? Do they actually feel any different from other companies?

It's hard to justify paying for the SLR Helix when MI has managed to shave so much weight off of their handguard.

I didn't notice the adhesive part, but it seems like it is just green threadlock? That stuff is easily removeable, and I think you can set your gas and then threadlock it. Supposedly it just stops the handguard from creeping. But I agree, a good rail shouldn't need threadlock to hold it on.

[Independent George]

I have the 10.7" SLR Helix Mlok. It is crazy light - 7.35 oz with all the hardware - and it looks good, too. SLR periodically has 10% off sales; I was lucky and got mine at 15% off ($213).

I also looked at the MI rail, but I ended up deciding on the SLR for several reasons:

1. No continuous top rail - besides making it lighter, it's way more comfortable to hold in a C-grip.

2. No adhesives needed on the barrel nut - the SLR barrel but has a notch cut in that catches the fasteners.

3. Longer barrel but - as Bill Geissele mentions in the ALG video linked above, a longer barrel but on a free float rail makes for a more stable and rigid attachment point.

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[tact]

SLRs are nice, but I have used a lot of hand guard/rail systems because I'm picky and the Geiselle Super Modular Rails are the best I've ever had.  They are a lot less expensive than they used to be.

[SlvrDragon50]

They make the MI without the continuous top rail now, but I think you have me sold on the other two aspects. The SLR Solo is on sale right now at Primary Arms for ~15% off right now, but I really want the Helix.

Have you noticed any durability issues with the Helix? SLR had mentioned that the Helix is more fragile than the Solo Ultra Lite and shouldn't be used in rough situations, but I don't know if that just means in combat or 3 gun. I read this thread which is pushing me towards the Helix: http://forums.brianenos.com/topic/234087-slr-helix-mlok-handguard/?tab=comments#comment-2610457

I don't care too much for Geissele's SMR because it costs more and is heavier.

[Independent George]

Huh, you're right about the top rail; I could have sworn all of their handguards had continuous top rails before.

I can't speak to the durability of the Helix (I'm purely a recreational shooter), but the support 'struts' on the handguard are indeed quite thin. They milled out quite a lot of aluminum to shave weight. I would not expect it to survive abuse like a Geissele (which is engineered for military use - as in getting banged against armor plating constantly), but it seems strong enough for my own sporting purposes. It's a legitimate concern if you want something more rugged - the Helix definitely trades off strength for weight. I can't answer if it's right for you.

Honestly, there's nothing wrong with the MI rail - that was just personal preference on my part. If you can wait, BCM is supposed to be releasing an Mlok handguard later this year; it might be worth a look.

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[SlvrDragon50]

Huh, you're right about the top rail; I could have sworn all of their handguards had continuous top rails before.

I can't speak to the durability of the Helix (I'm purely a recreational shooter), but the support 'struts' on the handguard are indeed quite thin. They milled out quite a lot of aluminum to shave weight. I would not expect it to survive abuse like a Geissele (which is engineered for military use - as in getting banged against armor plating constantly), but it seems strong enough for my own sporting purposes. It's a legitimate concern if you want something more rugged - the Helix definitely trades off strength for weight. I can't answer if it's right for you.

Honestly, there's nothing wrong with the MI rail - that was just personal preference on my part. If you can wait, BCM is supposed to be releasing an Mlok handguard later this year; it might be worth a look.

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I've been buying a lot this past month without really looking at my finances  I think unless there's a Helix rail for <$200, I won't be buying. Right To Bear has the SLR 15" Ultra Lite for $190 which is tempting, but I was wanting to go with M-LOK rather than Keymod. The Helix is $220. After shipping it's pretty much the same price as direct from SLR.

I saw the BCM stuff, but it seems quite heavy. Granted, I suspect it's the full length top rail contributing a lot.

I need to remind myself... patience patience patience! 

[Elcid]

How do you like SLR handguards? Do they actually feel any different from other companies?

They all feel solid but the SLR is slimmer compared to my DD Omega, Centurion and LaRue.