Which handguard do you recommend

[Huntchic]

Im getting ready to build a 16" Grendel for hiking and hunting. I've narrowed handguards down to getting one of these two. Midwest industries lightweight combat rail 9.2 ounces with barrel nut ( $177) and the Faxon slimline carbon fiber rail 6.4 oz without barrel nut? ( $260) Im not rally considering any others. Anyone have or used either of these.
I dont want a top rail and best i can tell the faxon with a barrel nut is about 8.0 oz so inly about 1 oz difference in weight. Ive used a good many handrails over the years Aero, Midwest and many others however ive never built or used a carbon fiber rail ever. I looked at smoke, coda etc. I've settled on tried and true Midwest but strongly considering the Faxon carbon fiber.
So my questions to everyone are which would you recommend on hunting rifle? Are the carbon fiber handguards better choice ? Are they as durable and better than the aluminum ? Anyone have or have used the Faxon carbon fiber and did you like it ?

[montana]

If you use a back up front sight, the Faxon carbon hand guard is not a good choice..If you don't use one, then they will work fine..

I have Faxon carbon fiber hand guards on two of my hiking rifles and they have held up very well..They don't retain the cold or heat like a metal hand guard does..

Like any hand guard, you will want to make sure your gas block will have adequate room before installing..

[Huntchic]

Thanks montana ! I wasn't sure how well they stand up to hunting hiking outdoors use. I was worried they might be slippery or crush easily. I dont run backup sights. carry a handgun (casull or 10mm) in a chest rig while in the woods defense wise. This rifle wont be for any kind of Defensive role use. I'm looking at the 13" length but wasn't sure what the weight installed was for sure but it looks like only 1 0z. wasn't sure if it was worth it weight wise but perhaps it was overall better. Was thinking balance might be better with most of the weight at the barrel nut/ receiver end where a aluminum is more weight out front. You have 2 so i guess you must be happy with them and would pick one again over a light weight aluminum? price wise Faxon is $75 more but that's ok with me if its overall better and more balanced.

[grayfox]

Haven't used carbon, but I do use mainly the 10" midwest ones for a couple rigs I have. Best benefit is easy install with supplied wrench, don't have to time it, rugged as all get-out and not heavy by any perception of mine. When it's cold I use gloves, but we don't have the Professional cold of Montana or Idaho lol! The 10" covers over a mid length GB and has room under it for an adjustable if you want it. I'm getting ready to bring my 300 hamr back into service for grins, with a MW 10" hg and aero adjustable GB. 125 gr tnt's. Also having my 18" out for today at the range. Some of the "slimlines" can't accommodate an adjustable under them, so I usually steer clear. I'm starting to use the adj's more.

[Huntchic]

Thanks for chiming in Grayfox . 300HMR oh my. LOL
Ive used a bunch of Midwest handguards and always happy with them. Was thinking of the Faxon Carbon fiber because its light and something different But want it to stand up to being used a lot. Im going 13" because i dont like the looks of a rail all the way out to end and im not putting lights and stuff on it. Shorter handgaurds sometimes make it hard to rest on or against things without touching the barrel. I like about 2-3 inches of barrel unless its like a 12".
Im tall and have long arms also so shorter handgaurds can feel bit awkward to me at times also. Since only about 1 oz. difference this comes down to balance and durability really between them.

[LRRPF52]

I really find the Carbon Fiber handguards to be a great way of cutting weight on 20” builds as the parts list adds up to overall system weight with larger scopes, bipods, and accessories.

For lightweight 16” carbines, CF is just a way to get really light, maybe even too light.

Too light of a carbine can allow more torque to yank your optic to the left when you break the shot, robbing you of sight picture and self-spotting your hits on game.

The Midwest lightweight aluminum rails are really nice for 16” guns.

I have a 16” Lilja Wasp profile build with a MI rail with 12 o’clock full 1913, and that carbine is very light, even with a 42mm objective scope in a LaRue mount.

I do like that the MI has MLOK slots and QD sling swivel sockets already built into it.

But handguards are really a personal preference thing for the user.

[Huntchic]

Thanks LRRPF52, was hoping you might chime in cause i understand you like running a 16" Grendel. I sort of coming to that conclusion also on the MI lightweight combat rail. I have confidence and like every rail I've used by them. no more than 2 ounces difference and its about $70-$80 cheaper to put towards glass. I also think familiarity with the style and brand has me too. Kind of isn't broke don't fix it thing. Im leaning towards a 3x9 on it but also considering a 2x7. Not sure if the 2x7 would satisfy me at 200-250 shooting a a yote though. Been running a 4x12 on my 18" happy with that. Also running a 1x8 LPVO on my 12" other than the weight i like it.

[LRRPF52]

I started out with a 16” Grendel in 2009, first in a quick-barrel change upper from MGI, then I installed it in a dedicated normal upper with tube handguard, then went to the GatorGuard, then gave it to my brother.

I went with Midwest Industries on the 17.6” Lilja Grendel, which is still on there. It was a pre-MLOK system lightweight rail, I think they called it SS Gen 2 maybe.

I did the 16” Lilja Wasp after that with a newer at the time MI handguard. Sadly, I never shoot that carbine. It shoots very tight groups, even with it being a Wasp profile barrel.

I like the lock-up of the LaRue Stealth 2.0 the best so far though, along with Mega Machine upper/hadguard combos with the smooth transition and true free-float, no contact between the barrel nut and handguard at all.

[A5Blaster Number 2]

Aero atlas-s one has become my go to handguard for any ar grendel.

[Huntchic]

LRRPF52, You definitely been in the Grendel game for awhile and been running a number of systems. I appreciate your help.
I’m planning to order parts tomorrow and thinking I’ll do the MI rail and a 2x7 on it. Maybe one day I’ll try a carbon Fiber rail.

[Huntchic]

A5Blaster 2 , I’m currently running a Aero S One on my 18” Grendel. I like it pretty well. My only gripe and it’s not been a problem but it has a really tight internal diameter to where the gas’s block fits very close. It doesn’t touch but it’s close.

[LRRPF52]

I like the true free-floating handguard/upper combos like this, as well as the LaRue Stealth 2.0. Not necessary for a hunter, but I really like the smooth transition from the upper to the HG instead of that weird interruption that dates back to the slip ring and old school barrel nut design from the original.

A lot of companies have still stuck to that set-up that was meant for non-floated handguards.

There’s another one that looks seamless that recently was introduced to the market. You can’t see any gap or where the handguard and upper meet, but they are separate pieces.

[Huntchic]

That's pretty good looking lines. Im not running any muzzle devices on My Grendel's except for the 12" Barrel one. I don't use NVG'S or anything so I don't really see the need and it cuts 2" off the length also. Not sure why but i really like the look having some barrel out the end as long as i have enough hand rail to rest on things. Maybe its an old A1, A2 from back in the day thing i dont know. Just prefer the look.

[treed]

Look at the STNGR line, they are a really solid choice. They won't rotate or move on you guaranteed.

[Huntchic]

Thanks Treed, I already went with the Midwest lightweight combat rail. Ive used them before and they have always worked well so I stayed with them.