Rail

Guntec 15" Compression Handguard

 Guntec Usa sent me their new compression M-Lok handguard for review. They were also kind enough to send an extra one that we gave away on the podcast. This particular handguard is a 15” free float and anodized black. Guntec has been making AR accessories in the US for decades.

 I noticed a few new things about this compression handguard. Guntec put some QD mounts at the rear of the handguard. In my opinion, this is a great asset. It also came with 1 QD swivel. This handguard also has M-Lok slots all the way down both sides as well as the bottom. That was one of my complaints with their Air-Lite that I reviewed some time ago. This one also has a full length top picatinny rail. As well as diamond cuts throughout to reduce weight. The black anodizing is also a little dull looking, more of a matte finish as compared to a gloss one. It doesn’t scratch off or anything, so there is no need to worry about it.

You can see the slight misalignment of the rail to the receiver

 Installation on the compression handguard is super easy. All you really need to do is install the barrel nut and tighten to manufacturers specifications (standard AR15 barrel nut torque). There is no need to index the barrel nut. Slide the tube on. Line up the top rail with the receiver rail. Then tighten down the 4 clamp screws. I put some medium threadlocker on these 4 screws, but it probably isn’t needed. That is really all there was to it. One slight problem with this particular handguard, is that the rail on the handguard sits a little bit lower than the receiver’s rail. Not enough that flip up iron sights won’t zero, but enough to notice.

 At first I was a little hesitant about the compression style of handguard. But after crashing it up against some 2x4 barricades, I’m not worried about it twisting or not lining up. The clamping force around the barrel nut seems more than enough to hold everything lined up. I really liked the feel of the handguard. It is small enough for me to get my hand around. This makes it very easy to drive the muzzle from target to target. It is just under 2” from the top of the rail to the bottom of the handguard and 1.5” outside diameter everywhere else. The inside diameter measures 1.34”, so don’t expect to put a suppressor under it. And you will definitely need a low profile gas block. The whole combination of screws, barrel nut, and handguard came in weighing 10 ounces on my scale. So pretty lightweight.

 As mentioned earlier, I like how this handguard feels. It does however get warm after 3 or 4 mag dumps. That’s pretty normal given the diameter and how close it is to the gas block. As with a lot of long handguards, there is some flex out at the end by the barrel. Not as much as I have seen on others, but a little. This leads into the location of the QD mount. Because they are located by the barrel nut, any force put on them doesn’t appear to flex the handguard any. Guntec also sent some rubber M-lok plugs with the handguard. These plugs just kind of push into any unused slots and give a rubbery grip to the handguard.

 If you’re interested in some quality, value priced AR parts, go check out Guntec USA. This particular handguard is pretty decent. It feels good in the hand, looks decent, and won’t break the bank. Plus, if it’s not your style, they probably have something that is.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

15" Compression handguard for modern sporting rifles

Target Market:

Users wanting to upgrade to a 15" handguard

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • T6 Aluminum Body
  • Proprietary Lightweight Aluminum Barrel Nut Included
  • Total Weight Including Barrel Nut Is 10 oz.
  • Triangle / Diamond Cuts Throughout Handguard to Reduce Weight
  • Rail System Slides Over Barrel Nut , And Is clamped on with 4 clamp screws
  • Monolithic Top Rail
  • 15" Length
  • Internal Diameter: 1.34"
  • Outside Diameter: 1.50"
  • Made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

10" and 12"

What others are saying?:

Nothing found

Link to other reviews:

Rusty Reviews on Facebook

Price point:

MSRP = $150 approximately (Not on website at writing)

I need it now! Availability:

Guntec USA

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Lightweight

  • M-Lok

  • QD points

  • QD swivel included

  • Easy Installation

  • Made in USA

  • Rubber M-Lok covers included

  • Small Diameter

Cons:

  • Rail doesn't line up with receiver

  • Dull anodizing

  • Lack of instructions

Score: 6.5 Okay

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Favorite Link:   AR15 Podcast

CC3 Recover Tactical 1911 Grips

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recovertac

After featuring the CC3 1911 Grips back in December '13 in a product spotlight on the podcast, I preordered a pair of grips to try for myself.  They arrived this week (late February) and I installed the black set on my Ruger SR1911c.  The grips only come with screws/nuts for tightening the two halves together at the rail under the dust cover, by the trigger guard. Its a solid mount, no wobble and the gap between the two halves becomes virtually non-existent. As far as looks go, it definitely adds something to the 1911.  Whether that something is good or bad is really personal preference. Prepare for questions and admiration from newer shooters, and scoffs/hisses from veteran 1911 owners. I've heard the word 'Heresy' at least once so far in passing. If you want your 1911 to look and feel more like a XD-M or similar polymer pistol, this is right up your alley.

The main purpose of the CC3 grips is adding the benefit of a rail to affix lights or lasers to a 1911 pistol that is railless, some may say as God or JMB intended.  The designer, Tamir Porat (creator of the Tavor and other Israeli defense products) clearly wanted to add a futuristic look to the timeless war horse. There are reliefs for thumbs on both sides that have very contemporary angles that continue throughout the panels.  This could very well find itself in the next futuristic shooter flick.  With three colors in black, green, and tan, there's a color that will match your pistola's frame and slide.

I'm not a huge fan of how it looks on my commander-sized pistol at the reduced length of barrel, slide, and dust cover make it so the CC3 rail protrudes about 3/8 of an inch further than desired, for the lines in the frame to really line up with the rail.  Of course its still a flush fit inside the channel of the grip.

As for the 'grippiness'of the grip itself, I'm not a huge fan of the texture. It's just raised curved lines that are quite pronouced. Easy for the ejection molding process but cutting edge and comfortable they are not. I foresee a dremel and a woodburning pen in this grip's future.

For the price point, you certainly would be in the market at nice G10 grips or even some exotic wood grips.  I really did just fork out $50 a piece for a plastic design concept of a new product.  Would I have still bought them if I weren't hosting the show/reviewing them for you guys? Probably. Will these stay on my 1911 for awhile? Probably not, I'm not interested in getting a new 1911 holster as I'm enjoying the ones I already have grown accustomed to. They are working with holster manufacturers to get more options out there available in popular rigs.

One of the grip panels for the Dark Earth set was a factory second / had defects, upon emailing CC3 Tactical with a photo they promptly sent out a brand new set, like within hours.  Needless to say their support is very dedicated to customer satisfaction, gotta love that!

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Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: The easiest way to add a grip and rail to your 1911

Target Market:  1911 Owners, Airsoft as well.

FNBs:  (Features and Benefits of this product)

  • Easy 3 minute installation. No gunsmith or permanent modifications required.
  • 2 piece, High Quality Polymer will not break or damage your gun
  • Universal Fit for most 1911 model pistols
  • Total Weight 80 grams
  • Made in Israel
  • Only 0.25" thick grip panels

 What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? Olive Drab, Black, Tan

What others are saying? "Both halves of the grips mate perfectly with one another with no visible gaps. Weighing in at a 80 grams, about the weight of the current generation iPod touch, it looks and feels very well made. The grip itself adds a quarter inch thickness on each side and less than a quarter inch to the front strap. The grooves on the grip are mostly smooth. You can run your entire hand and grip it quickly without scraping your hand. It is very "un-aggressive" unlike the VZ Recon's that would grate cheese. What surprised me the most about the CC3 is how my Surefire X300 fit on the picatinny rail. The light slide on just snug and flush with the front of the "new" trigger guard with no play or wiggle to it."

Price point:

  • Retail = $49.95

I need it now! Availability: Readily available on Recover Tactical

Our Rating:

+ Cool Factor is very high, gives an old design a futuristic spin + Customer support is very quick and responsive. + Only .25" thick, will not add bulkiness

- Grip texture is raised thick lines, a little too pronounced for my liking. - Introductory price is a bit high for a polymer molded product.

Score: 7.5 Good75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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