One of the most important parts of your AR-15 is the handguard. It’s where you mount most of your accessories, and it’s where you hold your gun.
When we set out to find the best AR-15 handguard, we knew we were getting into some controversial territory. The reason for this is that the AR-15 is such a versatile platform.
For example, if you’re looking for a tactical rig, you’ll probably want a free float quad rail for accessories. On the other hand, if you’re building a small home-defense gun, you might prefer the best drop-in carbine handguard for an easier build. Or maybe this is your first rifle, and you’re just trying to find some cheap AR-15 handguards.
Regardless of what you’re using your AR for, we’ll cover a wide variety of styles, and cover a broad enough price range to get you into the best AR-15 forend for your needs and budget.
12 Best AR-15 Handguards
The Aero Precision Enhanced sports a full-length Picatinny top rail.
Key features:
- Free floating design
- 1.72-inch inside diameter
- Picatinny top rail
- Available in 12 and 15-inch lengths
- Available with Keymod or M-LOK mounting points
- 3 quick disconnect sling slots
The Aero Precision Enhanced Handguard provides generous clearance for a low-profile gas block, with a wide, 1.72-inch inside diameter. It’s forged from anodized aluminum, and has a free floating design.
The bad news is that it’s made for the proprietary mounting surface on Aero Precision’s M4E1 upper receiver. This makes it more or less useless if you’re using a different upper.
However, when affixed to the M4E1, the Precision Enhanced’s Picatinny top rail lines up perfectly with the one on your receiver, creating a continuous rail that runs the length of your rifle.
This handguard is available in two lengths: 12 and 15 inches. You also get your choice of mounting points; it’s available with Keymod or M-LOK.
Pros
- Durable aluminum construction
- Provides a continuous top rail
- Plenty of room for accessories
- Compatible with low-profile gas blocks
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Only fits Aero Precision’s proprietary M4E1 upper receiver
This AR-15 mid length handguard is ideal for rifles with a low-profile gas block.
2. Bravo Company BCMGunfighter KMR
The Bravo Company BCMGunfighter KMR features a secure, proprietary barrel nut.
Key features
- Free floating design
- 1.3-inch inside diameter
- Picatinny top rail
- Available in 7, 8, 9.4, 10.5, 13, 15, and 17-inch lengths
- Keymod mounting points
- Includes proprietary barrel nut
The Bravo Company BCMGunfighter KMR is forged from durable anodized aluminum, with an inside diameter of 1.3 inches. This is large enough to accommodate almost any muzzle attachment, but it’s still fairly small. It won’t fit with a whole lot of gas block setups, so make sure you’re using one with
The KMR is available in seven different sizes, from 7 to 17 inches. It features a full-length Picatinny top rail, and an impressive array of Keymod mounting points.
Not only are they located at the three, six, and nine o’clock positions, they’re located between those positions as well, letting you mount your accessories exactly where you like them.
This handguard is exceptionally sturdy. It mounts on a proprietary barrel nut that can stand up to drops, bumps, and other abuse.
Pros
- Durable aluminum construction
- Sturdy mounting hardware
- Seven rows of mounting points
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Relatively small inside diameter
This free float provides more mounting space than you can shake a stick – or an AR – at.
3. Midwest Industries
The Midwest Industries features quad Picatinny rails.
Key features
- Free floating design
- 1.3-inch inside diameter
- Four Picatinny rails
- Available in 7 and 9-inch lengths
- Two-piece design
The Midwest Industries Two-Piece Free-Float Forend has a split design that makes installation easy. Just cut out the factory delta ring, and clamp it over your barrel nut. No need to remove your barrel and accessories. On the other hand, this isn’t as secure as a traditional installation, so pick your poison.
This forend is designed for carbine length barrels with extended gas systems. If you have a shorter system, you’re out of luck, because the Two-Piece Free-Float Forend isn’t going to accommodate it.
The anodized aluminum construction is high quality, with four Picatinny rails at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions. The rail slots have laser etched numbers, which makes it easy to keep track of where you keep your accessories mounted.
Pros
- Quick, easy installation
- Durable aluminum construction
- Plenty of accessory space
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Poor gas block accommodation
- A little flimsy
This handguard combines the performance of a free floating design with the easy installation of a drop-in design.
4. Magpul MOE M-LOK
The Magpul MOE M-LOK is a solid budget choice.
Key features
- Drop-in design
- Barrel-width inside diameter
- Four rows of M-LOK slots
- 12.5 inches long
The Magpul MOE M-LOK is one of the most popular handguards for people who are building their first AR. It’s affordable, it’s lightweight, and it’s easy to install. Simply remove your front sight, slide it over your barrel, and secure it with a delta ring.
Because it’s a drop-in style, this handguard won’t accommodate a gas block. You’ll need to use it on a rifle-length AR, or on a carbine-length AR with a rifle-length gas system.
The MOE is molded from lightweight polymer, which provides a secure, comfortable grip. It has four rows of M-LOK slots, at the 12, 2, 6 and 10 o’clock positions. It costs significantly less than most handguards on the market, but it’s one of the most reliable in this price range, which is why we recommend it.
Pros
- Lightweight polymer construction
- Affordable
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Requires a rifle-length gas system
This handguard is a good buy for your first AR.
5. Colt AR-15 A4
The Colt AR-15 A4 assembly is the real deal, OEM part.
Key features
- Drop-in design
- Barrel-width inside diameter
- 12 inches long
- Factory Colt replacement
The Colt AR-15 A4 Handguard Assembly is designed to fit ARs with an A1/A2/A4-style frame. It’s an original factory placement, and features the same tapered design and ridged polymer construction that made it so iconic. It does not fit on a newer M4 frame, so this is for older guns only.
Installation is easy. Remove your front sight, slide it over your barrel, set the delta ring, and you’re ready to go. As with any drop-in assembly, it doesn’t have any room to accommodate a gas block. You’ll need to have a rifle-length gas system if you want to use this handguard.
This handguard is not made for accessories. It’s made for shooting with iron sights, and it’s very good at what it does. That said, you can always mount a red dot on your receiver if you want to play with optics.
Pros
- Lightweight polymer construction
- Easy installation
- Affordable
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Does not fit newer M4 frames
- Requires a rifle-length gas system
- No rail system
This is a great replacement for your original Colt handguard.
6. Midwest Industries
The Midwest Industries is available in seven different lengths.
Key features
- Free floating design
- 1.3-inch inside diameter
- Picatinny top rail
- Available in 7, 9.25, 9.5, 10.5, 12.625, 14, and 15-inch lengths
- Seven rows of M-LOK attachment points
- Includes barrel nut and installation wrench
The Midwest Industries AR-15 Combat Handguard is a free floating forend that mounts on your barrel nut. It ships with a barrel nut and installation wrench, so you have everything you need to get started.
The 1.3-inch inside diameter is fairly small, so measure your gas block before you buy, alternatively, buy a version that’s shorter than your gas system to avoid the issue altogether.
This handguard features M-LOK attachment points at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions, as well as between those positions, for a total of 7 rows of slots for mounting any accessory imaginable. It comes with a full-length Picatinny top rail, so you can mount your sight on day one.
Pros
- Durable aluminum construction
- Plenty of accessory space
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Limited gas block accommodation
This handguard offers a crazy amount of storage space.
7. Geissele Mk13 Super Modular
The Geissele Mk13 Super Modular has 2 quick-detach swivel sockets for your sling.
Key features
- Free floating design
- 1.3-inch inside diameter
- Picatinny top rail
- Available in 7, 9.5, 13, and 15-inch lengths
- Three rows of M-LOK attachment points
- Includes proprietary barrel nut
- Includes low-profile gas block
- 2 quick-detach swivel sockets
The Geissele Mk13 Super Modular Rail Handguard solves the issue of gas block clearance by including one in the kit. On the one hand, you can rest assured that this 1.3-inch handguard will fit over your gas block. On the other hand, this drives up the price, so be prepared for some minor sticker shock.
That said, this is one sweet handguard. It offers a full-length Picatinny rail, and has three rows of M-LOK attachment points at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions.
It also has two quick-detach swivel sockets at the 1 and 11 o’clock rear positions, so it’s ready for your sling out of the box. Geissele includes a proprietary barrel nut with the kit as well, which makes installation simple.
Pros
- Durable aluminum construction
- Low-profile stainless steel gas block included
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Expensive
This handguard includes a gas block, so there’s no guessing whether it will fit.
8. Bravo Company BCMGunfighter MCMR
The Bravo Company BCMGunfighter MCMR has a laser etched rail that makes it easy to swap accessories in and out.
Key features
- Free floating design
- 1.3-inch inside diameter
- Picatinny top rail
- Available in 7, 8, 9 10, 13, and 15-inch lengths
- 7 rows of M-LOK attachment points
- Includes proprietary barrel nut and installation wrench
The Bravo Company BCMGunfighter MCMR is a free floating aluminum handguard that ships ready to install, with a barrel nut and installation wrench. It’s available in seven different lengths, to accommodate a wide variety of barrels.
This is another 1.3-inch forend, so measure your gas block to make sure it’s small enough to fit. Depending on your setup, you may prefer to just go with a shorter handguard length.
The MCMR has seven rows of M-LOK attachments: two on each side, and three on the bottom. The top of the handguard features a full-length Picatinny rail with laser-etched T-marks to help you remember where your accessories belong.
Pros
- Durable aluminum construction
- Laser-etched T-marks on rail
- Lots of accessory space.
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Limited gas block support
This handguard provides lots of space for all your AR-15 accessories.
9. D.S. Arms C.A.R.
The D.S. Arms C.A.R. has an easy-to-install 2-piece design.
Key features
- 2-piece drop-in design
- Barrel-width inside diameter
- 12 inches long
- Colt replacement lookalike
The D.S. Arms C.A.R. Handguard Set is designed to look just like the original Colt handguard. It’s sized for older A1/A2/A4 rifles, but not the newer M4. Installation is a breeze. Just remove the delta ring, press the two sides together over your barrel, and you’re good to go.
This is a military replica, so it’s designed for rifle-length gas systems. While it looks like an original Colt, we should point out that it’s not nearly as well constructed. D.S. Arms used nylon instead of polymer, and the aluminum heat shield is fairly flimsy.
That said, you’re getting what you paid for. A cheap, good-looking forend that’s easy to hold on to when you’re shooting with iron sights.
Pros
- Fits older A1/A2/A4 rifles
- Classic Colt look
- Very inexpensive
- Easy to install
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Cheap construction
- No rail system
- Requires a rifle-length gas system
- Does not fit newer M4 rifles
This handguard matches the look and feel of the original Colt handguard, at a significant price reduction.
10. Centurion Arms C4
The Centurion Arms C4 features a Picatinny quad rail for plenty of capacity.
Key features
- Drop-in design
- 1.37-inch inside diameter
- Picatinny quad rail
- 9.625 inches long
- ¾-inch gas block cutout
The Centurion Arms C4 Carbine Cutout Rail System is a drop-in handguard that’s easy to install. It clamps directly to your existing barrel nut, and cradles your barrel like a glove. It features a ¾-inch cutout around the front sight, to accommodate virtually any carbine-length gas block.
This handguard features quad Picatinny rails with a tough, anodized aluminum finish. T-marks are laser-etched into the rail slots, making it easy to keep track of what gets mounted where. This is a premium forend, so be prepared to pay a steeper price. It’s well worth the money.
Pros
- Durable aluminum construction
- Good gas block accommodation
- Easy to install
- Laser-etched T-marks on rails
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Pricey
This AR-15 forend is well-engineered and easy to install.
11. Knight’s Armament URX III
The Knight’s Armament URX III is extremely sturdily built.
Key features
- Free floating design
- 1.2-inch inside diameter
- Top Picatinny rail
- Available in 8, 10.75, and 13.5-inch lengths
- Hybrid Picatinny/M-LOK rails on sides and bottom
- 4 quick-detach sling swivel mounts
- Includes proprietary barrel nut and installation wrench
The Knight’s Armament URX III is a free floating handguard with a unique quad rail. The top Picatinny rail is full-length, but the sides and bottom feature short, 5-slot rails at the front and back, with M-LOK mounting points between them.
This allows you to attach tactical accessories, while foregoing the added weight from the – usually unused – middle section of the rail.
This forend ships with Knight’s Armament’s proprietary barrel nut, as well as an installation wrench. This means you’ll have everything you need to get started. In addition to the impressive quad rail, it also has 4 quick-detach sling swivel mounts around the back end.
The URX III is available in four different lengths. Unless you have an extremely low-profile gas block – 1.2 inches or less – you’ll need to order one that’s shorter than your gas system.
Pros
- Durable and lightweight
- Plenty of accessory capacity
- Innovative hybrid rails
- Includes all hardware
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Poor gas block accommodation
- Expensive
The hybrid rails on this AR 15 handguard make it lighter than most quad rails.
12. Seekins Precision NOXS
The Seekins Precision NOXS is lightweight and includes all mounting hardware.
Key features
- Free floating design
- 1.35-inch inside diameter
- Top Picatinny rail
- Available in 12 and 15-inch lengths
- 3 rows of KeyMod attachment points
- 2 quick-detach sling mounts
- Includes barrel nut and installation wrench
The Seekins Precision NOXS is engineered to be as slim as possible. It’s only 1.5 inches in diameter, which is a good size for smaller hands. The inside diameter of 1.35 inches isn’t the smallest we’ve seen by any means, but it’s still too small for some gas blocks. Make sure to measure yours before you order.
It comes with a barrel nut and installation wrench, so you won’t need to buy any extra hardware to get it installed. It features a full-length Picatinny top rail, and KeyMod attachment points along the sides and bottom. There are also a pair of quick-detach sling mounts on either side.
Pros
- Plenty of attachment points
- Slim and lightweight
- Includes all hardware
- Lifetime Brownells satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Limited gas block accommodation
This AR 15 handguard is ideal for people with smaller hands.
Bottom Line
Wow! That’s a lot of variety.
Before we finish, we should talk about what makes a free float handguard different from a drop-in version. A drop-in handguard physically holds your barrel, while a free floating handguard simply surrounds it and provides a grip.
This only really matters if you’re firing your rifle with a sling or a bipod. In those cases, a drop-in handguard can cause the barrel to flex, affecting your accuracy. Since a free floating handguard doesn’t touch the barrel, your accuracy remains unaffected while firing from a bipod or a sling.
Other than that, which AR-15 handguard is the best is a matter of personal preference. How much accessory space you need, what type of grip is most comfortable, and how much time you want to spend building your rifle are questions that only you can answer.
We like to think we chose enough of the best AR 15 handguards to meet just about anyone’s needs. But even if you decided to go a different direction, we hope you learned something today.
Check out all the other AR-15 articles put together by the expert team here at https://thegunsafes.net/;
The Review
Best AR-15 Handguard
Here are our reviews of today's best AR-15 handguards currently on the market.
Review Breakdown
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Aero Precision
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Bravo Company BCMGunfighter KMR
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Midwest Industries
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Magpul MOE M-LOK
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Colt AR-15 A4
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Midwest Industries Combat
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Geissele Mk13 Super Modular
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BCMGunfighter MCMR
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D.S. Arms C.A.R.
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Centurion Arms C4
-
Knight's Armament URX III
-
Seekins Precision NOXS
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