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Posted: 1/31/2005 6:11:01 PM EDT
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Hi folks, I'm not having much luck with search on this question. What are the salient differences between the different generations of PRI handguards (in particular the carbine length, if it matters)? Is one stronger/better than the others? Any to avoid? Thanks, fiz |
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I've seen three different versions of the PRI handguard. Two are the Gen 3, one is in the natural carbon fiber finish and one is in the all black finish (also carbon fiber though). Also, I've run across a PRI aluminum rail (ADCO has them in stock) with the same design as the carbon fiber ones, only for about half the price. I've never seen it called anything else besides "PRI Forearm", so I'm guessing that's Generation I. I don't think Gen II was ever released to the public, and Gen III is what we see today. I've also run across a reinforced version of the Gen III that uses more steel components instead of aluminum and a "bargin/novice" version that didn't have the rails attached. There might be more versions out there, but those are the only ones I've run across so far. |
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Big differences are in the barrel nut and attachment areas and there is differences in the tube ends. IIRC, there might also be some rail differences also. Note pics below. I still haven't seen a Gan I tube yet, so I can't comment much on them. Gen III tube:  Gen II tube: 
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IIRC- The Gen I handguard was the standard carbon fibre tube with normal profile barrel nut, no heatshields, and no holes drilled in the sides/bottom for longer rails. Very few of these made (~150 I think) The Gen II handguard adds heatshields and a few holes drilled in the sides to allow mounting a longer picatinny rail than the short ones included. The handguard 'tube' itself was slightly slimmer diameter. These were the first ones sold widely. The Gen III has a new, larger barrel nut that requires using a rail with a special cut-out if you want a continuous rail bridging the receiver to the handguard. These are what are sold currently. HTH ETA- Mongo put up some nice pics while I was typing this |
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