Whats the difference?

[Japedo]

I got tired of the standard handguard look on my build, and have been looking for new Handguards. I like the free floating handguards, but to spend over $200 for them does'nt seem justifiable. I've found some 2 piece UTG's that are in the $50 range, are they crap? I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for, what is the main difference between them?
Thanks

[permanent_45]

I do not own them but have seen them at the range. Quality looks to be fair. Not sure who makes them but they look a lot like the YHM. IMHO I would spring the extra $50 and get the YHM guard.

[gn3hz3ku1*]

i have a pair of UTG. they are on pretty darn tight.
the difference between the UTG and the other ones is that they are made in china and they are not free float.

[Sydwaiz]

Go with the YHM. I had the 2pc ones for a while and loved them. Sold them and went for the free float. YHM makes nice stuff.

[maxicon]

The UTGs get very good reviews from people who own them, and are probably the best bet for a rock-bottom price on a non-FF handguard.

YHM is next cheapest, at about twice the price. Then comes MI - Midwest Industries, which are a bit fat for some people. A lot of people like Surefire, in the same rough price range as MI, but the rail isn't in the same plane as the flattop rail.

If weight is important to you, you should compare that as well.

For free-float handguards, you need to decide how much 'smithing you want involved.

The easiest clamp onto the rails on the flattop, but they are bulky and increase the height of the flattop rail, and tend to be expensive (like the ARMS #50 or the KAC RAS II).

Next easiest clamp onto the barrel nut after cutting off your delta ring with a Dremel or similar tool. This makes it harder to go back again, if that matters to you.

After that are the ones that require removal of the barrel nut, which requires removing the front sight base and the muzzle device, if any. These also tend to be the most solid. The LaRue is popular here, though probably a bit out of your range.

Here are a couple of links with interesting reading:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=201469

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=295633

[Japedo]

But does having free floating handguards offer any advantage over the 2 piece handguards? I have freefloating handguards on my AR-10 clone but they don't look like anything special, I'm trying to see what you get for that extra $150+ dollars

[mIsT3rRaY]

for me its personal preference.. I like solidity.. no room for any play. so i picked up a FF. I never looked back.

But if you lookin for somethin that you can easily take down, such as the stock hand rails then all means pick up a 2 pc. float.

[adamsreeftank]

But does having free floating handguards offer any advantage over the 2 piece handguards? I have freefloating handguards on my AR-10 clone but they don't look like anything special, I'm trying to see what you get for that extra $150+ dollars

Free float rails enable the gun to be more accurate bacause you remove any pressure on the barrel from a sling, bipod, or just laying your rifle on something. If you want a precision shooter, go free float. If you just want to hang some cool stuff on your blaster, then use the two piece.

[Japedo]

Makes sense thank you very much

Free float rails enable the gun to be more accurate bacause you remove any pressure on the barrel from a sling, bipod, or just laying your rifle on something. If you want a precision shooter, go free float. If you just want to hang some cool stuff on your blaster, then use the two piece.