Bravo Company BCM Gunfighter vs Midwest Industries KeyMod handguards.

Bravo Company BCM Alpha 13 KeyMod Free Floating Handguard

Bravo Company BCM Alpha 13 KeyMod Free Floating Handguard

Bravo Company and MI offer two of the best offerings in KeyMod™ fore-ends out there. Both offer the advantage of slim profile and light weight with the KeyMod™ offering a Magnesium alloy version for even lighter weight, although at some expense in the robustness of finish possible with this alloy. Looking at the Gen3 MI KeyMod™ handguard there is a definite price advantage over the BCM Gunfighter Alpha. In black hard anodised finish prices at Brownells as of 11.18.2016 compare as follows.

MI K series BCM
7″ $174.95 7″ $171.95
9″ $179.95 9″ $176.95
10.5″$184.95 10″ $179.95
12.0″ $209.95 13″ 189.95
15.0″ $219.95 15″ 199.95

Now both the MI and Bravo Company KMR Alpha free-floating KeyMod™ handguards have advantages. The MI free float KeyMod™ handguard comes with no less than five quick detach sling swivel mounting points which are theoretically more secure than ones added via the Keymod system or the Picatinny top rail. The down side of this is the bottom one at the front can interfere with bipod placement. The BCM KMR Alpha comes with one Keymod QD swivel attachment point to place wherever you wish.  It also and makes use of the rifle/carbine’s existing barrel nut, making for a slightly simpler installation. Both the Bravo company and MI handguards have an internal diameter of 1.3” and an external diameter of 1.5” from flat surface to flat surface.

Bravo Company Alpha BCM 7 KeyMod Free Floating Hanguard

Bravo Company Alpha BCM 7 KeyMod Free Floating Hanguard

The Bravo Company BCM Gunfighter Alpha comes with a special mounting arrangement, which is similar to SLR’s and Geisselle’s, and is a superior design whereby two crossbolt are used clamping separate fixtures either side of the “U” shaped opening for the gas tube pull the handguard together. Cleverly, scalloped heads on these bolts enable them to lock each other in place preventing rotation. On the Midwest Industries this point is placed under tension and pulled apart by the tension of the bottom crossbolts. This effect is more noticeable due to heating of the barrel nut due to firing causing differential expansion and a loosening effect which the BCM arrangement overcomes. Bravo company also include a U-shaped fixture that joins the handguard to the receiver, wrapping around the Picatinny rail preventing rotation out of the 12 O’Clock position. This function is performed very satisfactorily by the torque plate in later, G3 series, MI handguards.

Bravo Company BCM Alpha 10 KeyMod Free Float Handguard.

Bravo Company BCM Alpha 10 KeyMod Free Float Handguard.

Another neat feature of the BCM fore-ends is that the KeyMod™ attachment points are machined out of vertical alignment, meaning there can be more material between them for greater strength and rigidity. Better still, the wrench provided by Bravo Company also doubles as a castlenut wrench for your buffer tube as the slots have been made to be identical to the standard buffer tube. Aesthetically, the BCM Gunfighter lacks the protruding ridge at the rear/bottom of the handguard which is not to everyone’s liking, either aesthetically or from a comfort perspective and interferes with fitting of rail covers there. They BCM KMR Alpha KeyMod™ fore-end also comes with a Keymod polymer picatinny rail section, to place where you wish for the mounting of existing Picatinny accessories. Aluminum sections are available as a more robust alternative. Both manufacturers stick to the traditional 1913 Picatinny top rail configuration and are very narrow internally.

Buy a Bravo Company AR15 BCMGunfighter™ KMR Alpha KeyMod™ handguard from Brownells, with their unconditional moneyback guarantee.

Midwest industries G3 7 inch showing integral QD swivel mounts and botto m clamping

Midwest industries G3 7 inch showing integral QD swivel mounts and botto m clamping

Bravo Company's 15 inch KeyMod Free Floating Handguard.

Bravo Company’s 15 inch KeyMod Free Floating Handguard.

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LT Gen 3M AR Folding Stock

The AR platform has a disadvantage over most other modern non-bullpup rifles in that it’s stock contains a buffer tube that makes making a folding version very difficult. For decades no folding stocks were available. Law Tactical then came out with their take on a folding stock for the AR platform. The Law Tactical AR folding stock has now been through three generations. The latest generation, the LT Gen 3M AR Folding Stock has significant improvements. Firstly, the hinge position has been lowered, preventing potential fouling of the operating handle. Secondly a smaller hinge is used. The internal spacer is now round preventing interference with the buffer retaining pin and has replaceable O-rings making fitting easy. Lastly the hinge and its locking mechanism are now made of steel making the unit much stronger. Strong enough that you can take one emergency shot with the stock folded without fear of breaking the rifle.

 

LT-Gen-3M-AR-Folding-Stock-01

The AR folding stock enables you to carry a 10” carbine easily on a motorcycle or when hiking in a back pack. It turns the AR SBR into a more practical proposition for everyday use but can also reduce the length of long barreled ARs significantly. It will work on both commercial and mil spec 5.56×45, 7.62×39 and 7.62×51 AR platforms. The hinge is adjustable and parts replaceable to prevent any chance of wobble developing and locking in either position is very secure.

LT-Gen-3M-AR-Folding-Stock-02

You can source the LT Gen 3M AR Folding stock from Brownells a name you can trust.

Gen3M-One-Sheet-WHITE

You may find this video, explaining fitting and function of the LT folding stock interesting.

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TangoDown AR BattleGrip Rail Covers Review

Tangodown AR Battle Grip Rail Covers

Tangodown AR BattleGrip Rail Covers

Tangodown AR BattleGrip Rail Covers are tough, combat solutions to the problem of exposed sections of Picatinny rail. They are expensive, but feature innovative design – namely being offered with recesses for several popular weapon light pressure switches.

BGR is the standard version with six textured grip panels.features six, highly textured grip recesses.

BGRP as above but features interchangeable adapters for SureFire® and Insight Technologies® weaponlight remote pressure switches. 

SCAR was designed with feedback from special forces with a lower profile and more heavily textured gripping surface for FN SCAR Mk 16 and Mk 17 rifles. This model also features a redesigned, easier operated locking tab and is available in 2″, 4″, and 6″ lengths. The 4″ version is can be ordered with pockets for SureFire (SF) or Insight Technologies (ITI) weapon light remote switches.

SPECS: Construction: Injection-molded polymer resin. Color: Black, Dark Earth, or Foliage Green. Width: 1 3⁄8″ (3.5cm) wide. BGRP accepts SureFire, Insight Technologies, and similar pressure switches measuring approx. 31⁄8″ (7.9cm) long x 7⁄8″ (2.2cm) wide or 25⁄16″ (5.9cm) long x 9⁄16″ (1.4cm) wide. SCAR 2″ model is supplied in a 2-pak. All other models are sold individually.

Tangodown AR Battle Grip Rail Covers

Tangodown AR BattleGrip Rail Covers

Purchase Tangodown AR BattleGrip Rail Covers at Brownells, a name you can trust.

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Surefire Rail Covers Review

Surefire Rail Covers

Surefire Rail Covers

Widely regarded as one of, if not the best rail cover on the market. The Surefire Rail Covers snap onto any unusued section of Picatinny rail. They differ from other “ladder” style rail covers in being more flexible and having a scalloped profile that really aids grip. The Surefire Rail Cover will protect the edges of your handguard rails from dings whilst keeping the heat away from your hands. They are easily cut to length with scissors or a craft knife and can be fitted in seconds.

SPECS: Construction, soft rubber. Color, black. Length 5¼” (13.5cm). Width 1″ (2.5cm). Weight. 35 oz.(10g) each. Sold in 3-Pak.

Surefire Rail Covers

Surefire Rail Covers

Purchase a Surefire Rail Covers at Brownells, a name you can trust.

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Pro Mag Vertical Grip Review

Pro Mag Vertical Grip

Pro Mag Vertical Grip

The Pro Mag Vertical Grip is an inexpensive unit that provides a firm grip on your weapon for better control. It attaches by sliding over the weapon’s Picatinny rail and screwing in the internal storage compartment. There are no additional screws or bolts to do up making the unit fast to attach and remove. It’s high-impact polym
It comes in two models. The full-lenght model gives you ample graspong surface for the best possible control whilst containing larger items like a spare bolt or firing pin whilst the short model is designed to fit into compact gun cases.

SPECS: Reinforced, molded polymer, black. Full-Size version protrudes approx. 4.6″ (11.7cm) below rail. Short version extends approx. 3″ (7.6cm) below rail.

Purchase a Pro Mag Vertical Grip at Brownells, a name you can trust.

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