Thread: AR15 Handguard

Hi guys. Please forgive me. I’m a complete AR15 noob.

I have a bushmaster xm15 e2s model AR15 . The classic style AR. Anyway I’m wanting to spruce it up a little with a new Handguard. Looking at somthing like the Keymod free floating Handguard 15” but really don’t want to spend huge money ($400-500) on some of the ones I’ve found on some of the NZ websites. Do any of you have or know of anything similar around? Would be bloody keen to hear from any of you, and even buy you a dirty Waikato if you are local. Cheers fellas.

Keymod is soooo 2012!

NZRAC has some clearance deals going.

https://www.nzrac.co.nz/shop/#category=3583

Why specifically keymod? Is it just because of the price or tacticool? Does the handguard weight, picatinny rail accessibility and handguard ergonomics become a factor for you?

If your bushmaster is in classic configuration, its probably with a fixed A2 front sight, 16" barrel and carbine gas-tube. To fix a 15" handguard, the A2 front sight will first need to come off and a low-profile gas-block installed in its place to allow the 15" rail to be installed. You can also choose to cut down the A2 front sight to fit under the handguard but you may find it better to just get a low-profile gas-block and keep the A2 front sight as a spare. However this is all just talk if you find yourself the Daniel Defense RIS II FSP which has the cut-out for an A2 gas-block but its a quad-rail which is considerably heavier than a keymod.

Naturally it'll be easier to advise you with an actual picture of your rifle. This platform is so much fun that the options are endless.

Buy M-LOK

What about something like this:



Means you can still run the FSB, they can be a right prick to remove. Being a Bushy, it'll be on there reeeeal good.

What barrel & gas block does your AR have?
I had a XM15-E2S with a 16" carbine barrel with fixed front sight post, assume you have something different?

Also M-lok is the new Keymod as said above.

Thanks for your reply's guys. Much appreciated. I dont really know why keymod! just saw them an liked the look. However now looking at the M-LOK they are pretty sexy!
My Bushmaster doesn't have the fixed front site post/gas block. Im pretty confident on removing it for a low profile one. It also has the removable carry handle so makes the whole project all doable. Weight/accessibility doesn't worry me too much. I just enjoy taking it down the farm to sort those pesky hairs out with!