Optional Yankee Hill end caps are sold separately. They ship with all the mounting hardware you need, including a barrel nut, jam nut, and anti-rotation screws. These handguards come in three lengths, seven, nine, and twelve inches, and will fit over low-profile gas blocks. The aluminum and hard coat anodization are both high-grade materials meeting military specifications. This design also helps keep the heat to a minimum. Between the rails, it features diamond-shaped vents that not only look hardcore but allow for superior heat dissipation. The four full-length rails give you the utmost flexibility in mounting tactical accessories. This product pushes the limit of both functionality and aesthetics. Yankee Hill started building its rock-solid reputation in the 1960s with a military contract for M16 cleaning rods. This is an incredibly functional and attractive free float handguard from Yankee Hill, one of the grandees of the AR world.

Spend as much as you can afford to get the best possible quality. Budgetįinally, of course, there is the price. Although most people like the sleek modern look of free float handguards, others find a certain mystique in various styles of drop-in ones. Polymer is lighter than aluminum but can be less durable.Īesthetics can be important, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. MaterialĪnother thing to consider is material. Some have non-rail attachment systems such as KeyMod or M-LOK. These days, almost all rails are of the Picatinny or universal types.

Quad-rail handguards have rails on all four sides for maximum versatility. Most of these products come with a rail along the top. Mounting Optionsįirst is the kind of mounting options. Once you have decided whether you want a free float handguard or a drop-in one, you still have a plethora of options to choose from. A better-made product will often come at a higher price. Remember, in this market as in many others, you get what you pay for. If you need something that is cheap and cuts down on needless weight, a drop-in is the way to go. The bottom line is if you want something that is as stable and accurate as possible, looks amazing, and is better for mounting optics, go with a free float option.

If you are trying to shave every possible ounce off the weight of your AR-15, a drop-in tends to be the way to go. Arguably, drop-in handguards are a better bet for mounting forward grips and bipods, as they will rotate a bit, mitigating torque.

Yankee hill quad rail handguard slr