m4prime

Just installed a Briley 8" handguard, and wanted to give some thoughts. I have ran the OEM handguards, and Midwest Industries rail. Initial impressions, the thing is very very sturdy. Weight is not really a concern, when I received the box in the mail the box basically felt empty prior to opening. Installation is super easy, as is removal. It just slots right in like the OEM handguards, but in a single piece. I mounted an Arisaka 600 series with a Malkhoff head and Surefire DS00 with a TRex Arms / Arisaka extended scout mount, on the farthest Mlok slot. I put a modlite modbutton just below it, will need to play around with mounting positions before I decide on a final spot and do some cable management. Impressions once installed... the thing is girthy, and slick. The midwest industries rail was far far easier to get a c-clamp on, just like the OEM handguards. Of course, that is going to result in high heat and not being able to do that very long without gloves. The Briley is difficult to get a c-clamp on, and I'm sticking to a more traditional grip with it. It's slick, and really needs some added traction on it. I tried an Emissary handbrake, but that's not really conducive to making it more grippy with the traditional grip as opposed to the C clamp. I think I'll try out some 2 slot Irregular Defense MLok panels, one on each side of my support hand, and one on the underside. They're polymer and the most aggressive rail covers I've tried. Overall, very happy in the absence of the IWC scout mount. The light placement with the Malkhoff head gives a ton of spill and throw. There is some degree of barrel shadow of course, but it's dumping so much light, it's a non-issue. I would say in use, I like the Midwest rail more. It can get the light way further out (for less weight than even the 8" Briley rail, let alone the full size one), and feels way more ergonomic to grip. That being said, I don't like the set screws, and I had trouble taking it off the barrel to clean the ARGO system without taking my MLok attachments off. As of now, (without the rail covers, will update with those later) I can easily remove the handguard with the light and pressure pad from the barrel just by lifting it off. So from my experience, pros of the Briley are tool-less takedown, very solid. Cons, price, poor ergonomics, very slippery and hard to get a solid grip. Midwest, pros - cheaper, lighter, MUCH more ergonomic and grip forgiving due to the ability to C-clamp. Cons, a pain to take down.

I have one I'm about to list up for sale if you decide on ordering one. As far as the inconvenience, it's only a pain when it comes to cleaning the pistons (which I pretty much never do). When cleaning the pistons, some MLok attachments might need to come off as they get in the way. As far as field stripping the shotgun, you back out two set screws (allen keys, just need to back them out, not fully remove), and then the barrel comes off the receiver as normal, but with the handguard still around the barrel. You can then access the bolt housing, and of course removing the bolt and cleaning the barrel and chamber. I don't love the set screws, but I will say the handguard is mega tight and stiff to the shotgun. It's definitely well made.

My OG M4 most definitely does not have that. I assume it interfaces with the new railed handguard in some way? I'd say remove it and install the new forend and shoot it. It definitely isn't an energy bearing part judging from it's construction. Looks more like a way to clamp / compression fit the new foreend.

I've literally never heard of this company until now, which makes sense as they're based in Europe. Had I not bought a Briley just now I probably would have been after this right away. It's lightweight, strong, tool-less, and looks like it has really nice texturing built in. If you can get ahold of one, the TRex Arms extended scout mount for Arisaka lights might make this work. You could shove the light very far forward off the handguard, and actuate it with a clicky tail cap press. Your hand would probably still hit it, but you'd be hitting the small low profile MLok mount instead of a large light body. Thanks for sharing, I think this is a great option for everyone seeking light mounting solutions with the IWC mount off the market, while maintaining tool-less take down and a negligible weight change from the stock plastic handguards.

PM'd.

Love to see the progress! How much weight is this expected to add to the gun?

Here's some discussion on my thread about the Agency rail. I really really disliked the Midwest Industries rail, although the function was there. Takedown was too difficult and required set screws that did leave marring on my titanium mag tube. I'm back with the OEM handguards, but I'm probably going to head the Agency route soon. RX Arms is also coming out with a highly anticipated heatshield / MLok rail, but there isn't a solid ETA on it yet.

Thanks a bunch for sharing. I think I'm going to order the 8" and see how I like it. With the Trex Arms / Arisaka extended scout light mount I can get the light out pretty damn far, so I'll try to save on some front weight with the shorter handguard.

Thanks, interested to see. How does the handguard feel to hold? It looks really bulky compared to the stock plastic ones. The more I shoot the gun with the stock handguards, the more I love them...

I took a look at the handguard and I'm not sure if I'm looking at the right one. The install videos I watched for this one didn't use any screws at all, it just slides over the barrel like the stock handguard. Is this the right one? If so, I really like the look of the install. https://www.briley.com/p-63643-briley-3gun-m-lok-handguard-benelli-m4.aspx

I don't necessarily mind needing a screwdriver to break down the gun, as I find the gun rarely needs a full cleaning anyways. I just hate the way the Midwest rail goes on, with the big lugs that have to be inserted and lined up with the magazine tube. I find it extremely cumbersome and it frequently jams on itself. If it was actually just a handful of screws and the thing just came right off, I'd be fine with that. I'll take a look on YouTube of how it installs.

It's something I did look at. I didn't really like the install being full of tools to get the screws off, but I will say it's a much nicer install than the Midwest one. How many screws are required to field strip it? Do you have to take them all out? I also don't like how it, like most of the MLok handguards, leave the pistons exposed.

Damn, good deal.

One of the emails I received from one of their distributors:

Hey all. Well, as we all know, IWC isn't producing or selling their scout light mount, which was the single best solution for mounting a light and sling with the stock handguards. I've tried a few MLok rails like @StrangerDanger has. Midwest, the Mesa Truckee, and the Briley. None of them worked for me. I hate the set screw setup which requires tools to remove, and I could never get the Midwest rail (my favorite of the bunch) to be able to be removed from the barrel without removing all the MLok accessories first. All I want is a damn push button flash light mount with a QD or even a clip on or pull through sling attachment still present. I've looked at some of the offerings from GG&G, and they all seem to be a bit mediocre. When you go on Optics Planet and look at reviews, everyone complains of very loose fitment and rattling. They also are not ambi, which is a problem for me as I'm left handed and can't have the sling mounted on the right side and the push button actuation on the left side. I really need something that will let me mount a sling properly set up for a left handed shooter, and would really like a WML solution that lets me mount a proper full bodied weapon light rather than a pistol type light with a pic rail setup, although I'd settle for that at this point. Are there any other options out there, or any creative ways around the issue? Has anyone heard anything from IWC or IWC distributors about the Scout Mount being stocked? I've contacted some distributors to see if they had heard anything from IWC, MountsPlus and never heard anything back, FFT said unknown basically. Thanks in advance.