Handguard vs gas system length?

[zachomega]

I'm building a midlength ar15.

I know for the gas block to be completely covered, i need roughly a 10.5" handguard or longer.

Question is, does anybody run something like a 9.5" handguard on their ar15 knowing that the block will not be completely covered?

I found a few pictures googling, and it didn't look bad. And the tube is completely covered so other than the block taking a hard direct hit, is there a reason not to put a 9.5" handguard on a midlength system?

-Zach

[Gr1mfire]

Ultimately if you like the aesthetic, there is no reason not to. I very seriously considered this on a recent build, and ended up going FSB instead.

[Delkal]

Having the gas block uncovered is not an issue. Think about all of the rifles with a fully exposed A2 front site base. It would be smart to cover the gas tube but for a mid length an 8 inch handguard should be enough.

[McSull]

Gas block will be hot. Other than that, just aesthetics.

[jthrelf]

Would be especially wise to have a pinned gas block in that scenario

[Ronin]

My wife's KS47 has an exposed gas block. Originally it was supposed to have a railed adjustable gas block to cover up where the A2 front sight post had been. However, the Geissele handguard she wanted was a little too long and the railed gas block didn't fit. I wasn't about to cut or trim the Geissele handguard, so I switched to a low profile Geissele gas block. Mrs Ronin is happy with the way it looks.

[Emptymag]

More handguard means more options.
More space to grip. More space to add a light or grip.

Regardless of whether you think you'll "need" that extra length, you can't add more once you try it and then realize you should have gone longer. Well, you CAN if you want to buy a new gand guard.

I always thought it made no sense to use a 15" hand guard - why do I need all of that? Then once I had a gun equipped with one, i realized why it makes sense.

Everyone has their own preferences though.
Mine have changed over time as I learn from my mistakes.

[jthrelf]

More handguard means more options.
More space to grip. More space to add a light or grip.

Regardless of whether you think you'll "need" that extra length, you can't add more once you try it and then realize you should have gone longer. Well, you CAN if you want to buy a new gand guard.

I always thought it made no sense to use a 15" hand guard - why do I need all of that? Then once I had a gun equipped with one, i realized why it makes sense.

Everyone has their own preferences though.
Mine have changed over time as I learn from my mistakes.

I sorta hate 15" handguards... Looks uncircumcised

[zachomega]

More handguard means more options.
More space to grip. More space to add a light or grip.

Regardless of whether you think you'll "need" that extra length, you can't add more once you try it and then realize you should have gone longer. Well, you CAN if you want to buy a new gand guard.

I always thought it made no sense to use a 15" hand guard - why do I need all of that? Then once I had a gun equipped with one, i realized why it makes sense.

Everyone has their own preferences though.
Mine have changed over time as I learn from my mistakes.

Just for some more information, i have a 14.5" barrel with an integrated brake. It is midlength. I have other ar's with much longer handguards.

This one is supposed to be my lightweight build. So less handguard equals less weight.

I don't use backup irons so sight radius is a non issue. And even still, it'd be at least the same sight radius as a carbine length system with a fixed gas block/front sight base.

-Zach

[DavidH]

I use 12-13* hand guards. Long enough for arm extension but leaving several inches of the barrel showing. This is the way an AR SHOULD look!

But to answer your question: No, there is no reason you can’t use a 9.5”. Won’t cause a bit of harm. You like the look...have at it.