Proper Rail Length for AR Gas Systems

[Medic218]

I have a 16" mid-length barrel in the works and I was wondering what length rail will properly and completely cover/protect the gas block without any of it being exposed.

From what I have seen a lot of people have 9" rails on their middy's.
Is this the minimum or would a 10" be needed to accomplish what I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance!!

-MM218

[Longshot38]

The buy a rifle length handguard/FF tube.

[Medic218]

Rifle length would be too long.
I don't want any excess length/weight.

[The Annoyed Man]

I have a 16" mid-length barrel in the works and I was wondering what length rail will properly and completely cover/protect the gas block without any of it being exposed.

From what I have seen a lot of people have 9" rails on their middy's.
Is this the minimum or would a 10" be needed to accomplish what I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance!!

-MM218

Rifle length would be too long.
I don't want any excess length/weight.

This is a rifle length Yankee Hill Machine Aluminum Lightweight Free Floated Quad Rail mounted over a 16" barrel on my carbine:


It doesn't weigh much at all....not enough to make a difference. I purchased it from MidwayUSA.com: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/166903 ... inum-matte

[Medic218]

Thanks for the visual TAM

[Longshot38]

Rifle length would be too long.
I don't want any excess length/weight.

If you have a mid-length gas system and want to cover the gas block them you will need a rifle length FF tube/handguard. This is the way it works.

But let me get this right. You want a longer FF tube/handguard, which is not part of the original AR/M16 spec. At the same time you aren't willing to pay the trade off of length (equals more material) and weight (which comes from more material). Also I think the illustration made a pretty good point. So I hope you find what you are after.