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Posted: 4/9/2013 5:32:15 PM EDT
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Hello,
I am at the stretch line with my first build I am so excited. I am trying to decide between a 2 piece rifle length hand guard UTG Pro Model 4/15 Rifle Length Quad Rail System (price is great)or a free float hand guard. The PSA 16" upper I have came with a Gi rifle length hand guard. Any reason why I would select a free float over the 2 piece hand guard? |
UTG? 
Why not shoot it for a bit with the stock handguards, and research while you shoot? Then you'll be more informed and you'll better know what you want. I like free float tubes, like the Troy Alpha, Noveske NSR, etc. You couldn't pay me to put UTG on my rifle. |
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Quoted:
UTG?
Why not shoot it for a bit with the stock handguards, and research while you shoot? Then you'll be more informed and you'll better know what you want. I like free float tubes, like the Troy Alpha, Noveske NSR, etc. You couldn't pay me to put UTG on my rifle. Yeah I agree. Midwest Industries makes a reasonable two piece free float quad rail. If you want to stick with regular handguards check out the Magpul MOE ones. |
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Sound like a good idea to shoot it first.
I am going to assume that you do not like UTG because it's a cheap product? Quoted:
UTG?
Why not shoot it for a bit with the stock handguards, and research while you shoot? Then you'll be more informed and you'll better know what you want. I like free float tubes, like the Troy Alpha, Noveske NSR, etc. You couldn't pay me to put UTG on my rifle. |
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Quoted:
Sound like a good idea to shoot it first. I am going to assume that you do not like UTG because it's a cheap product? Quoted:
UTG?
Why not shoot it for a bit with the stock handguards, and research while you shoot? Then you'll be more informed and you'll better know what you want. I like free float tubes, like the Troy Alpha, Noveske NSR, etc. You couldn't pay me to put UTG on my rifle. UTG has a bad rep because of some of their low quality Chinese products. However, that pro model handguard should be USA made and a pretty sturdy handguard for the price. |
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For sure a mixed bad when it comes to UTG.
I have an aluminum riser I use with my bushnell trs-25 micro dot. (Can you tell my first build was a budget build?) Mount is VERY solid, and very attractive. I however had a very bad experience with them, fixed stock set, buffer tube fell apart the first time I used the rifle! I imagine their rails are build like the riser, good enough =D |
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A nice cheap two piece quad rail would be Primary Arms. I owned one and I really liked it alot. I know use the magpul moe like that even more for the price point. But my favorite would have to be the MI Gen 2 SS rail. LOVE IT Primary Arms quad rails are only in carbine length. |
| Free float rails provide a somewhat increase in accuracy, and they look cooler for the most part. I can't really think of any other benefits. I use a 2-piece non-ff. I actually put a GMG on a friend's budget AR that I was building and was pretty surprised at the quality for the price (I believe it was ~$30) The anodizing was uniform, the markings were sharp, and it actually came with rubber rail covers. It locked up very tight on his rifle and he was very pleased with it. For a range gun, I would be ok with using that item. I also think that if you're not worried about free-floating, the UTG would probably fit the bill fine. Given a choice between china and US made, I would always choose US. |
| I know this is going to go agains the grain a little bit, but just pick the rail that fits your price and looks the best to you. Almost all of them are rock solid and in truth the differences between them are slight at best and become even more slight once you install it. |
| The ONLY good UTG product I have ever found is this. and I still would rather spend the money to get a good MI or Troy. |
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I have a UTG carbine quad rail on my first rifle i bought i dont even remember when. It has preformed through three carbine classes with 1000+ rounds fired in each, and i dont even know how many pig hunts.  Wow I'm suprised it lasted that long! Good for you. |
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The biggest problem you'll have with a UTG handguard is that it will be awfully heavy. They get their robustness from being thicker and heavier rather than being carefully designed.
Midwest Industries has a great, 2-piece free float rail for about $150, and you can find used rails on the EE for fantastic prices. My 20" AR has a KAC M5 rail that I bought for an embarrassingly low price because it was used (and only had two rail covers). Shop around and get a good, light rail, and in the meantime, use stock or Magpul handguards while you get used to your rifle. |
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You can pick up some good deals on the EE on like new stuff Hell I have extra stuff laying around if you want something cheap that belongs on a AR vs UTG Wally World crap Hope it works out well for you op. I know the UTG pro rails have gotten decent reviews by the people who own them, but with that being said I still wouldn't buy one just because the quality issue would be in the back of my head the whole time. FWIW, the MI drop in quad rails have had some very good remarks and are relatively inexpensive. |
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The new line of UTG Pro is made in the US and has gotten good reviews. When you get yours in let us know what you think!
I was looking at a rail like that, but realized I had no need for the full rail handguards or their weight. As I was building a target rifle and already had a heavier-than-average profile barrel, I went with the MI Gen-2 SS, which are incredibly light. Get back to us on those rails OP. |
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Sound like a good idea to shoot it first. this is the answer to most of the new guys questions Yes to This. Shoot it a while then mess with it. Personally I like APEX rails. I like the round hand guard, with the ability to put rails where you want them. On a M4, 6920, left in the profile it came in. I find that I like to switch to the earlier A1 hand guards. They are smaller, and I like them better. The average guy messes around with things for a few years before he really settles on what he really wants and gets out of his rifle. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Sound like a good idea to shoot it first. this is the answer to most of the new guys questions Yes to This. Shoot it a while then mess with it. Personally I like APEX rails. I like the round hand guard, with the ability to put rails where you want them. On a M4, 6920, left in the profile it came in. I find that I like to switch to the earlier A1 hand guards. They are smaller, and I like them better. The average guy messes around with things for a few years before he really settles on what he really wants and gets out of his rifle. Do this. This is what I did and I decided I wanted a free float tube option instead of a quad. Rails and Tubes are more than just "to look cool" they add to the functionality of the rifle, and if you know what you are doing are a valuable asset. Such as adding a light or grip, which makes you more effective as a system. The greatest tool is your mind and experience. You can't trade class and training time for something else, and expect to become a better shooter. That being said, I would not recommend UTG. Too much of a history of failure in their products for me to trust them. You ponied up for the rifle, save your money for a good rail or tube. If you use this as your self defense weapon, is your life worth it to not spend a little bit more on a proven product? |
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