PDA

View Full Version : V Seven Ultralight KeyMod Handguard



UWone77
5 May 2017, 03:31
Manufacturer: V Seven Weapon Systems (https://www.vsevenweaponsystems.com/collections/frontpage/products/ultra-light-keymod-handguard-ar-15)

Item to be Overviewed: Ultra Light KeyMod Handguard 13.5" (https://www.vsevenweaponsystems.com/collections/frontpage/products/ultra-light-keymod-handguard-ar-15)

Purpose of Item: CUTTING EDGE LITHIUM ALUMINUM ALLOY 2099 NEARLY TWICE AS STRONG AS 6061 POUND FOR POUND 2099 IS SIGNIFICANTLY TOUGHER, MORE RIGID & CORROSION RESISTANT THAN OTHER ALUMINUM ALLOYS.

Specifications:

FOR AR-15 PLATFORM
TYPE III HARDCOAT ANODIZED
3 INTEGRATED QD SWIVEL MOUNTING POINTS
SLIM DESIGN with an ID of 1.3" OD is 1.5"
15.0" LENGTH: 15.0 IN WIDTH: 1.5 IN HEIGHT: 1.97 IN
WEIGHS APPROX. 7.0 OZ
13.5" LENGTH: 13.5 IN WIDTH: 1.5 IN HEIGHT: 1.97 IN
WEIGHS APPROX. 6.4 OZ
11.1" LENGTH: 11.1 IN WIDTH: 1.5 IN HEIGHT: 1.97 IN
WEIGHS APPROX. 5.3 OZ

BARREL NUT FEATURES:

SUPER ALUMINUM 7068; SIGNIFICANTLY HARDER & STRONGER THAN 7075 ALUMINUM
TYPE III HARDCOAT ANODIZED BLACK
SHIPS WITH WRENCH & MOUNTING SCREWS
WEIGHS APPROX. 1.13 OZ
INCLUDED IN RAIL PURCHASE


I'll be doing an overview of the V Seven Weapon Systems Ultra Light Handguard. The biggest feature with this handguard is the 2099 Lithium Aluminum alloy. It's roughly twice as strong as your standard 6061 Aluminum Handguard. V Seven lists the 13.5" as 6.4oz. By my scale, it's 7.7oz, but that's including the barrel nut. V Seven is very excited about this new alloy, but understands there is going to be some reservation with the higher costs. They tell me they've never had anyone return this handguard once they've used it.

My initial impressions are positive. The anodizing is very dark and a deep black. Reminds me of the high quality anodized parts from Mega Arms. The machining is top notch as you would expect from V Seven. It definitely feels higher end. The only obvious downside I see is the barrel nut design. It's similar to the SMOS/Noveske/EraThr3/Parallax Tactical where you have to time the barrel nut to align the screw holes at the 3,6,9 o'clock.


3270
3271
3272


My next post will detail the installation of the handguard. Stay tuned.

UWone77
8 May 2017, 03:51
Installation:

Although, I'd love to have a V Seven matching upper for this, I don't have one on hand, so until I do I'll be using a standard forged upper.


Parts:

Rainier Arms Forged Mil-Spec Upper
Rainier Arms Match 14.5" Barrel
Rainier Arms Gas Block
SilencerCo ASR Flash Hider

V Seven UltraLight Handguard Parts Included:

13.5" KeyMod Ultra-Light Handguard
7068 Aluminum Barrel Nut
Barrel Nut Wrench
7 Handguard Attachement Screws

Tools Required:

Vise
Reaction Block
Torque Wrench
Torx Driver

When you get your rail, this is what it comes with:

3291

These are the parts I'll be using for this:

3292

First we'll start with some Aeroshell 33MS. Per the instructions, you'll want to grease both the upper receiver threads and barrel extension.

3293

Attach the barrel to the upper receiver. In this case I'll be using that 14.5" Rainier Arms Match barrel (Rock Creek) for this. I prefer to use 14.5" barrels on 13.5" handguards. Just a personal preference of mine.

3294
3295

UWone77
8 May 2017, 03:57
You then want to slide the barrel nut over the barrel and onto the threads. Hand tighten.

3296

Attach torque wrench to barrel nut wrench:

3297
3298

Obviously this is just for illustration purposes. You will need to use a Geissele Reaction Rod or similar, secured in a vise before attempting to torque on the barrel nut correctly.

Use the wrench to torque the barrel nut until a row of threaded screw holes land at the 12 o'clock position, or as V Seven states "at top dead center." Barrel nut should be torqued above 35 ft-lbs, but no more than 80 ft-lbs.

3299

This should leave you with your upper like this, after you slide you gas block/tube into place:

3300

UWone77
8 May 2017, 04:01
Once barrel nut is orientated and torqued properly, slide the handguard over the barrel nut.

3318

V Seven advises applying a thin layer of oil to the inside of the handguard to make for smoother installation.

Align the handguard with your upper receiver. Install the remaining torx screws to no more than 40 inch pounds. Loctite is recommended by V Seven.

3316

Attach your muzzle device, and you are done.

3317

UWone77
9 May 2017, 18:19
Fixed the last post. Some pictures were out of order. Oops. [BD]