Magpul MOE Handguards

[Roger]

On Sept 22 - 23 I hosted Larry Vickers for a Vickers Tactical Carbine Course ( www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=9&f=19&t=226830 (http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=9&f=19&t=226830) ). In attendence was Drake from www.magpul.com (http://www.magpul.com/)

One of the items that Drake had on hand was the Magpul MOE 2 piece plastic handguards for the M4 carbine length gas system.

The MOE handguards are innovative, lightweight, economical (if I remember correctly around $25), modular handguard, that offer features that offer many features that standard plastic handguards don't. Typical Magpul gear....what else would you expect.

At first glance you may think that they are just another set of plastic handguards (that was my initial impression) until I took a closer look at them.

MOE handguards on Drake's Colt lightweight LE Carbine:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/4bfb277c.jpg

Right side:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/94e57348.jpg

Bottom:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/0c885697.jpg

Top:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/8e87eb2a.jpg

Left side:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/df265155.jpg

[Roger]

The MOE install like standard plastic handguards:
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/2d34f79e.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/aa368d94.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/d7cc87f5.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/6869ef59.jpg

[Roger]

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/de62b62c.jpg


Standard AR15 / M4 handguards have a series of holes at the 12 and 6 o'clock position to let heat escape and aid in cooling (2 sets of cooling holes).

The MOE handguards has 6 sets of cooling vents. The cooling vents also act as anchor points to mount accessory rails.

I found that the plastic of the MOE to be thick and didn't feel brittle. The material also felt as if it would handle heat well.

Initially I though the extended front of the handguard that wraps partially around the front sight base looked a little funny, but I know several guys that hold extreemly far forward on the M4 handguards, and this would help prevent your hand coming in contact with the front sight base.

I saw Drake go through several drills with the MOE handguards (most of them in the late afternoon when the temp was in the high 80's / 90 degrees) and saw no issues relating to heat.

I was extreemly impressed with the MOE handguards and they definatley fill a niche in the market. It's an awesome alternative for someone who just wants to attach a light to their carbine, for a law enforcement agency that is limited by budget, etc.

After seeing the MOE handguards in the class I would run them on my personal carbine without hesitation.


Magpul doesn't give estimated release dates on their new products anymore and I don't know when they will be released


Now if they would just make them in a mid-length version ;)





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Semper Fi,
Jeff
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[Roger]

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk99/USMC03_photos/Magpul%20Gear/484dc251.jpg

[G__Fred]

ttt