Back in the dark days before standardized accessory mounting systems like M-LOK and KeyMod existed, nearly every manufacturer had their own proprietary mounting system, compatible with their accessories and their handguards only. The Alpha-series of handguards was one of the first to feature a modular system with industry support, leading the way for KeyMod and later M-LOK to standardize the industry. Since then they have expanded their line of handguards to include options for the AR-15 as well as the AK-47 and AK-family of rifles offering enhanced ergonomics and the freedom to mount the accessories you want, where you want, without the unnecessary bulk of a quad rail. For ease of installation, their free float handguards are fully compatible with standard MIL-SPEC AR-15 barrel nuts.
Building off the success and popularity of their trendsetting Alpha BattleRail, TROY now offers free-float BattleRail handguards in M-LOK as well. Both the original Alpha rails and M-LOK BattleRails install in just minutes to MIL-SPEC barrel nuts and are available in a variety of lengths to meet the needs of most any build. Machined from lightweight yet tough 6061-T6 aluminum, these low-profile handguards offer a snag free design with full-length top rail and accessory attachment on 7 surfaces! These free-float AR-15 handguards are available with your choice of ALPHA ½â cooling hole mounting system or Magpulâs M-LOK mounting system to suit your preferred aesthetics or accessory needs.
The Special Operations Compatible Carbine concept works to remove unnecessary weight and bulk to create a lighter, more nimble rifle and their SOCC BattleRails fit those concepts perfectly. Utilizing their snag-free mounting system compatible with MIL-SPEC AR-15 barrel nuts, the SOCC handguards are sleek and narrow to reduce snag points and enhance ergonomics. Available in lengths from 7.6â through 15.125â, these exceptionally lightweight and ergonomic handguards are a dependable upgrade to your favorite build.
If you prefer the AK platform, Troy Industries also makes one of the best AK handgaurds on the market. One of the biggest drawbacks for the AK platform in any caliber is the incredibly short handguard. While distinctive, this short handguard makes extended grips and stances designed to optimize recoil management practically impossible, not to mention the mounting of lights, lasers or vertical foregrips. To help bring the AK to the modern era of shooting doctrine, they created Bottom Rail Handguards. Available in two lengths, these modular handguards install easily to most stamped receiver rifles and provide not just additional real estate for your hands, but a low-profile mounting system for your favorite M-LOK accessories. The deceptively titled Short handguard offers 10â of rail space, while the Long handguard rivals many AR-15 handguards at 13.5â and places an extra M1913 picatinny rail section just beyond the gas block.