Midwest SS Gen 1 or Gen 2

**tuckerman725** · 7 September 2014, 06:14

All looking for some advice.

About to start an SPR inspired upper build. It will have an 18" heavy barrel and will be only for punching paper. I will be putting a 15" handguard and I have narrowed it down to the MI SS Free Float One-Piece Handguard, but I can't decide between the SS Gen 1 or the Gen 2. Either one will be in FDE and will carry the minimum rails, just one for my QD bipod and spots for a illumination and one/two QD sockets. Thoughts?

**UWone77** · 7 September 2014, 07:59

What's the price difference? Did you find a smoking deal on a Gen 1?

In my opinion, Midwest really outdid themselves on the Gen 2 SS. It's really a great handguard, and very easy to install. I think the mounting system (think backwards barrel nut) should be familiar with guys who have installed standard handguards. There's a guild on the site as well.

The Gen 2 is light years ahead of the Gen 1 in terms of ergos and feel in the hand.

**tuckerman725** · 7 September 2014, 10:54

Thanks. No great deal. I just think I decided and then I see a picture of the other which starts the whole process over

**UWone77** · 8 September 2014, 08:11

Originally Posted by tuckerman725

Thanks. No great deal. I just think I decided and then I see a picture of the other which starts the whole process over

This is exactly why when you decide to buy something, you do it, don't look back, don't keep browsing, just make the decision and go.

Seriously though, the Gen 2's are great handguards, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

**tuckerman725** · 8 September 2014, 11:38

Many thanks to all for the input. My smith actually made the decision b/c he couldn't source the Gen 1, but in everything i read that was the right call. will post pics once it lives and breaths

**MoxyDave** · 8 September 2014, 12:08

MI SS Gen 2 is one of my favorite handguards. Great choice.

**Gaspipeshooter** · 8 September 2014, 13:30

What Moxydave said. I put a 15" on a .308 build with a 20" barrel, and 12" on two 7.62 x 39 builds. Very nice handguards. If the feel is too small in terms of diameter, you can beef it up with the addition of the MI handguard panels, which are very nice too.

**FortTom** · 8 September 2014, 14:16

Originally Posted by Gaspipeshooter

What Moxydave said. I put a 15" on a .308 build with a 20" barrel, and 12" on two 7.62 x 39 builds. Very nice handguards. If the feel is too small in terms of diameter, you can beef it up with the addition of the MI handguard panels, which are very nice too.

I've got a SSK on one AR and am considering on for a newly acquired A-10, not a lot of choices out there, so this might work out well, if it worked out for you on your .308.
What pattern receiver did you use, if you don't mind me asking.

FT

**Gaspipeshooter** · 8 September 2014, 19:06

Originally Posted by FortTom

I've got a SSK on one AR and am considering on for a newly acquired A-10, not a lot of choices out there, so this might work out well, if it worked out for you on your .308.
What pattern receiver did you use, if you don't mind me asking.

FT

The gun I built was for a friend looking for an SPR/Bench gun so we went with the CMT Billet set. The rail height is the DPMS "high", so the handguard I used was the MI-308SS15-DH which is the .210" upper tang.

**Naytwan** · 8 September 2014, 21:58

I have a Gen 2 on one of my rifles. A 15" model. Its really nice. I like it a lot.

**WHSmithIV** · 10 September 2014, 12:41

The Gen 2 also comes with some extra rail sections from what I've seen and, as far as I recall, you have to buy them separately for the Gen 1

**XACT_ABORT** · 10 September 2014, 15:44

I debated the same question for what actually sounds like a similar build, except mine is 20 inch gun. I decided to go with the gen1. Some of the reasons were that I actually wanted the larger diameter tube, I prefer the look of it in comparison, and the gen 1 accepts a trim ring. The trim ring wasn't critical but like I said I just liked the look of the gen 1 better overall. So it was just a bonus.

I don't recall if it came with the rail sections or if I had to order them but I wound up with I believe a 2, 4, and 6 inch rail section each. Not to take anything away from the gen 2 obviously, I can see how most will probably lean toward it. Both should serve you well for the intended purpose and there likely isn't a wrong answer.

**Gaspipeshooter** · 11 September 2014, 07:16

Originally Posted by WHSmithIV

The Gen 2 also comes with some extra rail sections from what I've seen and, as far as I recall, you have to buy them separately for the Gen 1

Gen 2 comes with three 2.5" sections and the Gen 1 comes with a 2" section and a 4" section. On my Gen 2, two of the sections are polymer and the third has a QD socket and is aluminum.

**Vader17** · 15 September 2014, 15:29

I used the gen 2 in my SPR inspired build and love it. The barrel I have is a little heavier and this rail is pretty light and offsets it to me. It mounted easy and it was nice that they supplied the barrel nut and wrench with it.

**WHSmithIV** · 15 September 2014, 17:16

Originally Posted by Gaspipeshooter

Gen 2 comes with three 2.5" sections and the Gen 1 comes with a 2" section and a 4" section. On my Gen 2, two of the sections are polymer and the third has a QD socket and is aluminum.

Thanks for the info. I wasn't quite sure because I looked up their handguards around 2 months ago on their site for planning my pistol build. Also in Gunstruction the Gen 1 doesn't come with rail sections. Iknew the Gen 2 does. I still don't know what handguard I'm going to use for the 7.62x39 pistol - heck, I'm still deciding what barrel length since all I have is the stripped lower receiver. Now because of Sticks awesome giveaway I guess I have to wait until it's over just in case I do win a handguard from it. Then the pistol will become a carbine instead. Can't afford to build both.

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