A
handguard (also known as the
forend,
fore-end, or
forearm) on
firearms is a barrel shroud specifically designed to allow the user to grip the front of the gun. It provides a safe
heat-insulated surface for the user's hand to firmly hold onto without needing to worry about getting
burned by the
barrel, which may become very hot when firing. It can also serve as an attachment platform for secondary weapons (such as an underslung
M203 grenade launcher or
M26-MASS) as well as accessories such as
bipods,
tactical lights,
laser sights,
night-vision devices,
foregrips (or handstops),
slings and a variety of other attachments. Handguards are typically available in two types, determined by whether or not they contact the barrel directly. If one does, it will usually have a contact point at the base of the barrel (because it is an extension of the
stock) and another at a predetermined length up the barrel. They are typically made of polymer but can be made of different types of alloys. This type of handguard is also available as a "drop-in", i.e., an aftermarket modification, in which case it will not be an extension of the stock, but rather two pieces that attach to each other around the barrel via some sort of mounting system, such as
M-LOK,
KeyMod, or
Picatinny. The other type attaches around the barrel but does not make contact with it directly. This particular type of handguard is, the majority of the time, made out of some form of aluminum or aluminum alloy. That allows for what is considered a
free-floating barrel. Free floating barrels are reputed to have greater accuracy than their counterparts. When not built into the firearm, they also use a variety of mounting systems, with the main ones being
M-LOK,
KeyMod, and
Picatinny.
Free-floating handguard Free-floating handguards, also referred to as "floating" handguards, have seen a rise in popularity in recent years. They work by only attaching to the firearm at one point (on the barrel nut by the
upper receiver) while the remainder of the handguard does not make contact with the barrel. This gives the impression that the handguard is "floating" around the barrel, hence the name; the barrel will be referred to as a
free-floating barrel. Because they avoid barrel warping, free-floating handguards have been known to increase accuracy between 0.5 and 0.75
MOA (0.15–0.2
mrad) compared to their drop-in counterparts. Barrel warping occurs when the handguard makes contact with the barrel, which then slightly alters the barrel's angle, reducing accuracy. This can occur when a rifle is propped up against a surface or with a
bipod. Force exerted onto the handguard pushes back up against the barrel, which deflects the barrel, reducing accuracy. The angle may seem insignificant; however, even a slight deviation can cause the shot to dramatically deviate down range. Damage to the handguard—-such as if a wooden one
warps—-can also cause barrel warping without any external force. ==See also==