Frequently Asked Questions
Clamp Questions:
Q: What is the outside diameter of the handguard tube mounting surface?
A: The tube surface the rails attach to and the grip surface is 1.970" in diameter. The exposed portion of the clamp, while of course not round, fits inside a 2.250" circle.
2100 Carbine Length Questions:
Q:I have a Smith & Wesson M&P OR (optics ready).The rifle is a 16" carbine without a standard front sight. Instead of the front gizmo there is a gas block with rails on top that run evenly with the main rails. Will the Apex work for this without modification?
A: Yes, it will work behind a railed gas block.
2150 Ext. Carbine Length Questions:
Q: I’m working on a lightweight upper I am currently trying to figure out if I can use your carbine cutout hand guard with a paladin adjustable gas block installed (at carbine length). What is the width of the cutout for the gas block? I just need a little bit of room to access it.
A: The width of the cutout in our handguard is 7/8" wide. I'm sorry but you would need to determine with the width of our cutout if that allows for a paladin adjustable gas block installation.
Q: Instead of a standard front sight scenario I have a gas block with rails on top. Does the Ext. Carbine Length work for an S&W M&P AR-15OR rifle?
A: No, there is probably not enough clearance.
2300 Rifle Questions:
Q: My rifle has a mid length gas system and I was wondering if your mid length handguard will cover a low profile gas block or do I need a rifle length?
A: While the mid length model will fit over a low profile gas block on a carbine length gas system, it stops short of the gas block on a mid length gas system. If you want to cover your gas block you will have to use our rifle length model.
Q: The rifle has an Adams Arms carbine length piston conversion kit on it but due to design of the piston setup, it needs certain clearances inside the handguard. Would your free float tube fit that?
A: Our Apex Handguard System will not fit the Adams Arms Piston System. Adams Arms states that their system will not fit any tube-based handguard. We compared the required clearance they show and unfortunately they are correct.
Q: I plan to build a hunting AR15 in 7.62x39 with a 16" barrel and mid length gas system. I would like to use a low profile gas block and a rifle length rail however. What size low profile gas block would I need for that?
A: Here is a list of low profile gas block manufacturers who manufacture products that will fit our tubes:
Badger
Brownells
Midwest
GB Systems
Troy
VLTOR
Yankee Hill
Daniel Defense
STAG
PRI
or a front sight post that has been cut down
Q: How much gap is there between the12.5” top rail and upper receiver?
A: The gap is .03"
Q: I have a BCM 20" rifle length gas system and an F front sight base. Will this fit my upper?
A: Yes, the Apex Handguard System, GatorGrip, Rifle Length will fit your upper.
2200 Mid Length Questions:
Q: Can the Mid Length handguard be installed and allow the fixed front sight to be pinned back on after installation?
A: Yes, the mid length handguard can be installed and allow the fixed front sight to be pinned back onto after installation. The mid length handguard system stops just behind the fixed front sight post. For installation, simply move sight tower forward and install handguard system and replace sight. Access to the retaining pins is not impaired by the handguard.
Q: I have a 16" barrel with a mid-length gas port and want to make sure that the handguard will totally cover up the gas block. Will the 2200 Mid Length Handguard cover up the gas block on a mid-length barrel?
A: Our Mid Length Handguard will not cover up the gas block on your mid-length barrel; however, the AHS Rifle Length Handguard would cover the the gas block.
2650 308 DPMS Rifle Length Questions:
Q: Will the 2650 308 DPMS Rifle Length fit the new Bushmaster LR 308 ORC?
A: Yes, the 2650 308 DPMS Apex Handguard System, GatorGrip, Rifle Length will fit the new Bushmaster LR 308 ORC.
Q: What type of barrel nut do I need for the DPMS handguard?
A: A DPMS standard barrel nut is needed. DPMS Part Number: 308-Bl-16
Rail Questions:
Q: Is the optional 12.5" top rail the same height as the AR15 upper receiver rail?
A: Yes, the optional 12.5" top rail is the same height as the AR15 upper receiver rail
Q: Do you offer a full length top rail that will fit flush with the upper receiver for the 2300 Rifle Length Handguard and do you offer 2-4" side rails for lights, etc?
A: Yes, we do offer 2"and 4" accessory rails which are compatible with our handguards as well as the Viking Tactics and similar slotted designs. Yes, our full length top rail fits flush with the receiver rail.
Q: Does the optional 12.5" inch top rail run all the way to the upper receiver?
A: Yes, the optional 12.5" top rail runs all the way to the upper receiver.
Q: I need to mount accessory rails on my round aluminum, tubular handguard on my AR-15. Are these sections radiuses on the underside to conform to a round handguard?
A: Yes the back of the rail is cut on a 1.9" diameter and will be a solid fit on a 2.0" diameter tube
Q: Will the screws that come with it be suitable to use for mounting these on my alum. tube after drilling/tapping, using no nuts?
A: Yes
Q: Is the 2410 2.0” rail flat based or concaved?
A: The base of the rail is concave with a 1.9" radius.
Q: Where are the rail mounting slot locations on the handguard tube?
A: The slot at the 6 o'clock slot position runs all the way back to the front of the barrel clamp. At the 3 & 9 o'clock positions slots will vary depending on handguard length. At the 12 o'clock position there is no slot, but there is a full length or 1.5" top rails available.
Q: Will the DPMS top rail will match the height of the MA-10.
A: Our DPMS Rifle Length Top Rail (Pre August 09 version) matches your MA-10.
Q: Does Part Number #2730 DPMS top rail match up to the high rider slick-side DPMS upper receivers from pre-2009?
A: No.
Q: What is the secret to holding the small backing nuts in place when you screw on a 2" rail piece at the bottom of the tube? Ones that are on the end can be held in place with a finger. I've tried a screwdriver on ones in the middle, without success.
A: Using a Popsicle stick or chopstick will help hold the small backing nuts in place when you screw on a 2" rail piece at the bottom of the tube.
General Questions:
Q: What is a vertical grip slot?
A: The "vertical grip slot" simply refers to the fact that the bottom of the tube has an accessory mounting slot nearly the entire length of the tube, providing the versatility required to accommodate the wide range of positions vertical grips can be placed in.
Q: How many Quick Detach sling sockets does the Apex Handguard System have?
A: The carbine length has 2 and the mid and rifle length have 4.
Q: Do your published weights for your new handguard rail include 1.5 oz for the
stock barrel nut?
A: No
Q: What threading would I need to get for Allen screws for the top of a handguard?
A: If you are mounting an accessory other than our top rail you will need a 10-24 screw. Our top rails are supplied with screws that are custom made.
Q: Would the Apex Handguard System fit a rifle with an Osprey Defense piston kit?
A: Our Apex Handguard System Generation II will not adequately provide the clearance required for the Osprey Piston System; however, our Generation III model will provide clearance. While our tube would fit over the piston and operation rod, there is not sufficient room to guarantee reliable operation. A qualified gunsmith would be able to relieve the upper portion of our system to provide the necessary clearance.
The clamp may require slight modification as well as the tube. While in the static or closed position the connecting rod has clearance with the clamp; however, at full extension, during cycling, the clamp may interfere with the rod's rearward travel. Essentially with the moving parts involved in a piston operating system, increased clearance is required to ensure reliable operation.
Q: I have a varmint style AR where the handguard functions as the barrel nut; how does the Apex attach to the upper receiver?
A: A factory style barrel nut would be required to install the Apex Handguard System.
Q: Can the 4" rail be used to attach a Magpul AFG?
A: Yes, the 4.0" rail will mount an AFG; however, the AFG will overhang on 1 or both ends of the 4.0" rail. Another solution is to mount a 2.0" or 1.5" Accessory Rail spaced to the overall length of the AFG. If you want the lowest profile possible, there have been inventive individuals who attached the AFG directly to a tubular handguard. This requires modifying the AFG and works nicely.
Q: Will a 1.375" diameter suppressor can fit inside your rail system?
A: Yes
Q: What is Black Nitride?
A: Black Nitride is a thermochemical that simultaneously diffuses nitrogen and carbon into the surface of ferrous metals. A two-part surface layer is formed, an outer iron nitride layer with a nitrogent diffusion layer below it. The result of this process is markedly improved surface properties on ferrous metal parts while maintaining dimensional and shape stability. Metal components treated with Black Nitride have increased wear-resistance, fatigue strength, corrsion resistance, lubricity, and cosmetic appeal.
AR15 Questions:
Q: Will your handguards fit the LWRC piston spring system which is a piston based AR platform rather than direct gas, and still function correctly?
A: No
308 Questions:
Q: What Apex handguard tube will fit an Armalite AR-10 carbine with a low profile gas block?
A: Our AR10 Armalite Mid and Rifle Length Handguards
Q: Will the Badger or Vltor low profile gas block have any issues under the handguard?
A: No
Q: Will a low profile gas block fit under 308 DPMS Rifle Length on a MA-10?
A: Yes
Q: What handguard will fit a Mega Ten Upper/Lower receiver set?
A: The 308 DPMS
