usbp379
8 February 2014, 19:36
Lancer has just released a new handguard imade especially for the SIG516 and SIG716 series of rifles. The new forend will be available as a replacement item from Lancer and as a factory option right from SIG.
I have always liked the SIG piston AR but am not a fan at all of the short carbine length railed handgaurd. The factory rail is bulky and blocky and doesn't allow for the extended support arm position that I've become quite comfortable with.
The Lancer uses a top rail section that's the same length as the factory quad rail so there's no gain there. What it does do is cover most of the gas block so there's less concern of burning a digit after a mag or two of rapid fire.
I've just received the new handguard from Lancer and it'll be next weekend probably before I can get to the range. Anyway, I plan on getting the gun nice and toasty with a couple mags of rapid fire to see how much heat gets transferred into the forend. I'm guessing I won't have anything to worry about.
I have to say I'm very pleased so far. The longer forend completely changes the feel of the gun. Nicely done, Lancer!
Right and left sides of the complete rifle:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000355_zps8dfd0852.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000355_zps8dfd0852.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000368_zps1a7549ba.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000368_zps1a7549ba.jpg.html)
The Lancer marking. Note the built-in QD sling point:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000356_zpsa94db489.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000356_zpsa94db489.jpg.html)
Some general photos of the carbon fiber forend. Note that it does completely clear the bayonet lug. Plenty of ventilation so the forend should stay nice and cool.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000357_zpsa6ea1f67.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000357_zpsa6ea1f67.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000358_zpscc5e3f12.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000358_zpscc5e3f12.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000361_zps014d4aa6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000361_zps014d4aa6.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000359_zps7354112e.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000359_zps7354112e.jpg.html)
Fitment of the forend to the rifle. Note the use of the original mounting method:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000360_zpsd6503183.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000360_zpsd6503183.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000362_zpsfe8509c4.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000362_zpsfe8509c4.jpg.html)
The new top rail lines up nicely with the gas block:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000363_zps0bebf6f7.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000363_zps0bebf6f7.jpg.html)
The gas piston cannot be removed with the new forend on the upper. This was initially a little alarming but now that I've thought about it it probably isn't a problem. The carbon fiber section is easily removed and I really don't need to clean the piston parts after every outing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000364_zpsd9567b87.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000364_zpsd9567b87.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000365_zps29aa898c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000365_zps29aa898c.jpg.html)
The forend is held to the aluminum mounting block with six small allen screws:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000373_zpsa31e09c1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000373_zpsa31e09c1.jpg.html)
The carbon fiber section removed:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000371_zps6ee3cbfb.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000371_zps6ee3cbfb.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000372_zps8ece60ad.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000372_zps8ece60ad.jpg.html)
The new aluminum top rail and mounting point for the handguard:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000379_zpsb62b2c95.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000379_zpsb62b2c95.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000378_zps580926b0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000378_zps580926b0.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000377_zps29270d53.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000377_zps29270d53.jpg.html)
Note the longitudinal grooves along the top rail. The forend slides into these grooves:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000376_zps44d2d33d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000376_zps44d2d33d.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000375_zps34a28473.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000375_zps34a28473.jpg.html)
I have always liked the SIG piston AR but am not a fan at all of the short carbine length railed handgaurd. The factory rail is bulky and blocky and doesn't allow for the extended support arm position that I've become quite comfortable with.
The Lancer uses a top rail section that's the same length as the factory quad rail so there's no gain there. What it does do is cover most of the gas block so there's less concern of burning a digit after a mag or two of rapid fire.
I've just received the new handguard from Lancer and it'll be next weekend probably before I can get to the range. Anyway, I plan on getting the gun nice and toasty with a couple mags of rapid fire to see how much heat gets transferred into the forend. I'm guessing I won't have anything to worry about.
I have to say I'm very pleased so far. The longer forend completely changes the feel of the gun. Nicely done, Lancer!
Right and left sides of the complete rifle:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000355_zps8dfd0852.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000355_zps8dfd0852.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000368_zps1a7549ba.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000368_zps1a7549ba.jpg.html)
The Lancer marking. Note the built-in QD sling point:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000356_zpsa94db489.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000356_zpsa94db489.jpg.html)
Some general photos of the carbon fiber forend. Note that it does completely clear the bayonet lug. Plenty of ventilation so the forend should stay nice and cool.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000357_zpsa6ea1f67.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000357_zpsa6ea1f67.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000358_zpscc5e3f12.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000358_zpscc5e3f12.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000361_zps014d4aa6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000361_zps014d4aa6.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000359_zps7354112e.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000359_zps7354112e.jpg.html)
Fitment of the forend to the rifle. Note the use of the original mounting method:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000360_zpsd6503183.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000360_zpsd6503183.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000362_zpsfe8509c4.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000362_zpsfe8509c4.jpg.html)
The new top rail lines up nicely with the gas block:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000363_zps0bebf6f7.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000363_zps0bebf6f7.jpg.html)
The gas piston cannot be removed with the new forend on the upper. This was initially a little alarming but now that I've thought about it it probably isn't a problem. The carbon fiber section is easily removed and I really don't need to clean the piston parts after every outing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000364_zpsd9567b87.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000364_zpsd9567b87.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000365_zps29aa898c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000365_zps29aa898c.jpg.html)
The forend is held to the aluminum mounting block with six small allen screws:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000373_zpsa31e09c1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000373_zpsa31e09c1.jpg.html)
The carbon fiber section removed:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000371_zps6ee3cbfb.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000371_zps6ee3cbfb.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000372_zps8ece60ad.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000372_zps8ece60ad.jpg.html)
The new aluminum top rail and mounting point for the handguard:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000379_zpsb62b2c95.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000379_zpsb62b2c95.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000378_zps580926b0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000378_zps580926b0.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000377_zps29270d53.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000377_zps29270d53.jpg.html)
Note the longitudinal grooves along the top rail. The forend slides into these grooves:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000376_zps44d2d33d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000376_zps44d2d33d.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/tokarev/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000375_zps34a28473.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/tokarev/media/SIG516%20Patrol/P1000375_zps34a28473.jpg.html)