Things to Consider When Buying a New Marlin Handguard

 

Marlin rifles are popular as they are light in weight, adaptable, and have a sleek design. Most of the time, people use rifles for sports, military, and law enforcement. When firing in a continuous row, the barrel tends to heat up. Unless you manage to eliminate the heat or add a protective layer around, you can’t hold the rifle properly and this affects your posture. Improper posture means you cannot brace the recoil when firing the gun and this can lead to injury. Additionally, the bullet misses the aim. By adding a hollow handguard around the barrel, the user is able to have a firm hold on the gun and is unaffected by the barrel heat to an extent.

 

Yet, selecting the right handguard and related accessories can be a tedious process. There are plenty of alternatives for your Marlin M-LOK 1895 handguards. The handguard type defines how you hold the rifle and the overall accuracy of your shot. So, it is imperative to select an appropriate Marlin handguard and one needs to consider several factors. Before we look into these factors, let us understand what are handguards?

Understanding Handguards

There are various components in a Marlin rifle, such as optics, receivers, trigger lever, and others. Among these are the handguards. A handguard, as the name suggests, is a protective rail that surrounds the barrel of a Marlin rifle. Handguards provide a stable grip for you to hold the rifle that allows you to have control of the rifle. With handguards on your rifle, you don’t come in direct touch with its barrel. Since guns rely on the gunpowder within the bullet to propel the projectile at blazing speeds, the barrel tends to heat up after a few shots.

 

 Due to thermal dissipation, it becomes difficult to grip the gun and this affects the aim and precision. This is why having handguards on your rifle is essential. Having a handguard on your rifle prevents your hands from getting burnt. Also, adding a handguard allows you to attach various accessories to your rifle such as Marlin stainless lever-action accessories, lasers, hand stop, flashlight scopes, etc.

Factors That Affect Choice For a New Marlin 1895 Handguard

Let us now look at the factors to consider when selecting a new Marlin Handguard:

Choose Between Free-Floating and Drop-In Handguards

When it comes to handguards, there are two options to choose from.

 

1. A free-floating handguard
2. A drop-in handguard.

Both types of handguards have different features and functions. Hence you should choose the handguard based on your requirements. You may like a free-floating handguard as it is sleek and has a tactical appearance. A free-floating handguard is high in price and its installation is also complicated. Yet, it is better to go for a free-floating handguard as it is stable and provides high accuracy. On the other side, a drop-in handguard has a simpler design and is appropriate for casual shooting. The drop-in handguard is less expensive, takes less time to manufacture and develop. Also, drop-in handguards are easy to install.

Mounting Accessories

All rifles don’t have the same mounting hardware. Whenever you buy a Marlin M-LOK handguard from Ranger Point Precision, select the one which allows you to add the related accessories. Also, ensure that the related accessories you select optimize the rifle. Some of the common accessories you can add are:

 

1. Cartridge Quiver
2. Flashlight scopes
3. Vertical Grips
4. Bipod Mounts
5. Hand stops

Appearance

When buying a handguard, one should consider its appearance as too. Appearance of the handguard is especially important for the classic and tactical rifle. One should opt for specific colors and textures to have the desired appearance.

Length and Weight

The length of the handguard should be long enough so that it can provide the right grip. The length also affects the mounting surface. At the same time, it should be light enough to keep the rifle balanced. Most weight of a rifle is due to the heavy handguards and other upgraded accessories on it. Ensure that you buy lightweight handguards and accessories to upgrade your rifle. With a lightweight handguard, your rifle does not become too heavy to carry and operate. Ventilated free float handguards strike the right balance between length and weight.

Accuracy

In a rifle, the accuracy of its shot depends on the handguard that you use with it. The areas where the rifle makes contact with your body are crucial for accurate shooting. A free-floating handguard ensures that it does not place pressure on the barrel. These handguards are easy to use with laser aiming devices.

Ease of installation:

 

Installation of a handguard is an important aspect to consider while buying it. With some tinkering, you should be able to install the handguard on your own. The barrel nuts usually come along with a new handguard. Even if new nuts are unavailable, free-floating handguards can attach over a barrel. One can buy a special wrench which makes the installation much easier. One can also have the multi toolset to install the handguard. If you are unable to install the handguard, it is best to take help from an experienced gunsmith.

Heat Dissipation

All rifles are heat resistant to a large extent. A rifle barrel begins to heat up from the first shot at the range. An important function of a handguard is that it shields the shooter’s hand from the heat of the barrel. A barrel performs best and provides a high level of accuracy when it is cool. The handguard needs to be over the barrel without devoiding it with space for air to move around. The handguard should provide enough space around the rifle to allow air to flow easily and avoid overheating.

Cost

Cost is another important consideration while buying a handguard. You will need to set your budget in advance for buying hand guards and related accessories. The handguards and accessories are available in both premium pricing and low budget. It is your choice what amount you wish to spend to buy the handguard to optimize its functionality.

Conclusion

A handguard with a better grip, less recoil, and that provides the best accuracy is a perfect buy. One should buy a handguard that meets your rifle requirements. When you explore handguards, you will find several handguards which will appeal to you. Sometimes with too many options, you may end up buying the wrong handguard. Before selecting, it is better to seek advice from an experienced gunsmith. You can also do some research with various gun stores to gather information and select the right handguard that fits best for your rifle.