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View Full Version : Primary Weapon Systems Announcement/ DI handguard review.



DMViergever
31 March 2014, 19:34
Almost Tactical is excited to be the first ones to announce that Primary Weapon Systems will soon be offering their own line of Direct Impingement uppers that are currently being released to dealers now.

Below is a review of their recently released handguard made specifically for DI rifles!
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/full_zps05531cf2.jpg
Primary Weapon Systems is no stranger to the AR15 platform. Fans on Piston guns all know they make some of, if not THE, best piston guns you can get. They have proven themselves reliable for many years and PWS has long been a big innovator in the world of the piston driven AR15. Their FSC comp can be found on many a rifle as has a great following also.

They have recently decided to expand their line of products further than just piston driven rifles and introduce a line of products made to cross over into the DI market that includes barrels, bolt carriers and obviously DI handguards.

Let me start out by saying that I have had a lot of handguards lately and this one is certainly one of my favorites. It is slim, with the width being 1.8" and the height at 2.1". I have the 15" version and the weight is very light for such a long model at 13.4 ounces with the barrel nut and screws. It comes with two rail sections that, unlike other handguards I have seen, are plastic instead of aluminum and again are extremely light at .5 ounce a piece, bringing the total package to 14.4 ounces for the 15 inch handguard, two rail segments and the barrel nut.
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/vest_zpsd596d586.jpg
Another thing that separates the PWS is the feel it has in the hand. All of the other handguards I have had recently have been the tubular design. This one is a little bit different in that department as it actually has machined in flats where the KeyMod attachment point are instead of the venting slots just sort of rounding into it. I know a lot of folks really like the rounded tube but I really like the flats on this as they lay perfectly in my hand. The only downside to this is that the inner diameter is very small at 1.35", which means that you aren't going to be able to fit the majority, or any, suppressor inside of it if you are going for that look.
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/pwsiwc_zpscca39061.jpg
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/opening_zps726f840e.jpg
Installation of the two piece barrel nut was simple and straight forward and it comes with its own wrench made to clip onto your 1/2 inch torque wrench. The handguard then slips over top and is fastened by a total of six set screws, 2 each at 3, 6 and 9. In my experience this is the best way to attach these longer handguards to keep them from coming loose or having excess wiggle. Both of which I had zero issues with.
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/nut_zpse55a11b4.jpg
As I stated earlier the PWS 15" DI Handguard has become one of my favorite handguards. I have it currently combined with my VooDoo Innovations 16" Evo Ultra Lite barrel and a IWC/HSP 45 degree KM Thorntail mount and Inforce WML combo for a very lightweight rifle that I would trust in any self defense situation. PWS has utilized the last KeyMod slot on their handguard and machined it so that it can accept a QD swivel swing and since I have started running my light at the 11 O'clock position that is where I am currently running my sling. They also have the QD cup at the back towards the receiver.
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww27/DMViergever/whiteIWC_zps2d17a79e.jpg

GOST
3 April 2014, 14:39
Nice looking upper, how does she handle?

DMViergever
3 April 2014, 17:07
Thanks, handles well. That is my first jump into a DI rifle in...4 years? So it is a bit different but I love it. I just ditched the Eotech for a T1. I am looking into GoPro to run some video too.