Magpul SL Handguard reviews
Nice design, but with some issues.
When I first installed this Magpul SL handguard, I was very impressed with the tight fit and the comfortable grip that they provided, especially the longer extension around the front sight base, which is what attracted me to these handguards, in the first place. Mainly, they offer a mid-length handguard grip on a carbine length gas system. Because of how the forward section of the handguards interface, around the front sight base, the handguards halves were a bit tricky to get into the proper position. However, once there, they were very snug with the upper receiver, and they felt very secure. Since there are still currently very few aftermarkets, direct attach, AR-15 accessories for M-LOK, I chose to use one of Magpul’s M-LOK cantilevered rails to mount a white light to my weapon. I had a tough time getting the mount to work as it was designed to, without dissembling the upper and lower handguard portions. This is because the M-LOK nuts need to be pre-tightened, so that the gap is just slightly thicker than the handguard walls, and then they are turned a quarter turn to secure the accessory. If the difference is not vast enough, then the plastic of the Handguard can be damaged by the turning locking nut. Also, if the gap is too broad, then the nut will not time correctly, and this, too, can cause damage to the handguard plastic. Once I finally had the rail mounted to the upper half of the Handguard, I then had a terrible time getting the lower Handguard back into position, because there was a collision between the M-LOK nuts on the upper half and the heat shield on the lower half. Now that it is all assembled, my handguards have developed a looseness that was not there, initially. The upper and lower sections now wobble in the fore to aft direction, as well as when twitted laterally. I think that the M-LOK accessory’s hardware is causing this, but I cannot figure out why. Overall, this is a lovely, ergonomic AR-15 handguard set, although I have some issues that I need to resolve with mine.
Quality product from Magpul, but…..
Nice, quality product from Magpul as always, but nowhere does it mention that you must remove the front sling swivel until you get it and read the instructions. It would have been nice to know this before ordering, the box even says no modifications required! Outside of not having them installed, they feel like they would be very comfortable. As long as you don’t mind drilling off the rivet that holds the swivel, these are great.
Great Handguard for the money!
The product works as intended. Fit is excellent, slim, lightweight. I have this on a Colt m4style carbine, with full Magpul furniture. This Magpul MOE SL Handguard gives a few more inches than the standard carbine length, which is useful. It also works with the std A2 sight tower. You have to remove the front sling swivel. So what, no one uses it! Once that is done, assembly is easy, just do not force or muscle it..you will be fine. I like the slim fit and lightweight! I run a TLR 1 on mine and a three G’s Sling Thing off the front tower with a V Tac sling…perfect!No sling roll! Myriad of adjustment. If you are an Ar freak who likes to hang twelve different AR-15 accessories on your rifle to ruin its balance, increase its weight exponentially, make it unwieldy and be able to brag how many $$$ you spent…this is not for you.
Nice, but too many hidden install issues
I like the overall design of this Magpul SL Handguard, but there were a couple of topics beyond the very tight fit, which I consider a plus. The first, it is not compatible with the mil-spec sling attachment on the standard A2 front sight that it claims to be compatible with. I had to drill out the rivet and remove it against my better judgment. The second issue that made me regret drilling out the sling rivet was that it IS NOT COMPATIBLE with the more abundant EoTech sights set up for absolute co-witness if you’re pushing them forward for magnifiers. The top surface of the AR-15 Handguard is a bit wider than mil-spec rails, which will not allow the EoTech to cantilever forward at all. Probably going to sell this one off and go back to my old Handguard, so I don’t have to lose the magnifier on my rifle or add a riser rail. Either way, I am less a sling attachment. This is a great product, Magpul just needs to add more compatibility notes to the information listings, and make a few adjustments to the design so it will be more attachment friendly.
AR15 MOE-SL handguard
The Magpul SL Handguard arrived today, and I had it installed in about 15 minutes. I strongly recommend that you have a Delta ring wrench to fix it because it is a tight fit. It is stable, no vibration at all, and feels much better than the stock AR-15 handguard. It has a heat shield and proper ventilation. The extended guard keeps your hand away from the hot sight/gas block. I’m pleased with it.