Jump to content

Briley MLOK Handguard for M4


rgarc88

Recommended Posts

So I took my M4 back to Briley. I told them my handguard was "loose" and I tightened up the screws on it. It still wiggled a little, talking maybe .0625" or less of play, so I wanted them to take a look at it since my job is right down the road. Turns out the gunsmith wants to make a "batch of adaptors" to make it completely fixed. I'm supposed to email him next week to check if they are ready. All good though, I am glad they are proactive on fixing a new product and excited to see what they can do to improve it.

Problem is I'm pretty sure Houston is gonna be on "lockdown" by then. Hope not but we shall see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/20/2020 at 11:16 AM, rgarc88 said:

So this my M4 with the mlok handguard from briley. Also has the match trigger, a & s trigger guard, extended safety, and opened loading port.

will post a couple more pics when I get home. I’ve got just a couple more things like a front grip

6F8A6A55-55D7-4EBA-8E30-93ACD3EA575F.jpeg

DFF455F9-AC52-4A4B-BAC0-39BE323AEF00.jpeg

Very nice!  Who did you source that SRO cover from?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/27/2020 at 8:36 AM, Milspec said:

Very nice!  Who did you source that SRO cover from?

range panda. they literally bounce a hammer on the thing in their promo video and it maintains its shape. highly recommend. I even keep it on in my pelican case

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, joegie said:

just got mine and installed it, looks great, i did notice a little bit of movement when twisting the hand guard.  i'll wait to see how they fix yours before emailing them.

Im eager to see what their fix is. I completely understand there being a hiccup here and there when it comes to a new product. These folks are pretty sharp, Im sure they can help us out and will wait with enthusiasm.

That being said, I hope they can help us before total lockdown in Houston with respect to COVID-19. Ill give them shout Monday.

I drove by earlier this week and they were open.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

27 minutes ago, rgarc88 said:

range panda. they literally bounce a hammer on the thing in their promo video and it maintains its shape. highly recommend. I even keep it on in my pelican case

After using my searchfu that's what I suspected.  They look better than the competitive options.

Thanks for sharing.  Now to figure out which version I need for a Sync mount.  The standard I believe.

Edited by Milspec
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, rgarc88 said:

Im eager to see what their fix is. I completely understand there being a hiccup here and there when it comes to a new product. These folks are pretty sharp, Im sure they can help us out and will wait with enthusiasm.

That being said, I hope they can help us before total lockdown in Houston with respect to COVID-19. Ill give them shout Monday.

I drove by earlier this week and they were open.

awesome, keep us posted, i'm not in a rush, down in san diego i'm pretty sure all ranges are closed so i can't go out and play anyways lol.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This rail looks like it might have some potential. The extended length might get two cell light pretty close to the muzzle to minimize barrel shadowing. The user could then use the new Unity Tactical Hot Button mlok remote switch.

Mlok remote activation switch. 
https://arisakadefense.com/collections/tailcaps-remotes/products/unity-hot-button-m-lok

Replacement weapon light body, not necessary but recommended.

https://arisakadefense.com/collections/tailcaps-remotes/products/modlite-18650-body

Impact Weapon Components Inline Mlok light Mount 

https://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/thorntail-inline-for-m-lok/

Surefire M600DF 1500 lumens
https://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/surefire-m600df-scout-blk-1500-lumen/

Surefire remote switch cap.

https://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/surefire-m6xx-sw-tail-cap-no-cable/

Or

https://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/surefire-replcemnt-rear-cap-m300-600/
Angled Mlok QD sling mounts

https://www.strikeindustries.com/shop/si-link-aqd.html

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, StrangerDanger said:

This rail looks like it might have some potential. The extended length might get two cell light pretty close to the muzzle to minimize barrel shadowing. The user could then use the new Unity Tactical Hot Button mlok remote switch.

Mlok remote activation switch. 
https://arisakadefense.com/collections/tailcaps-remotes/products/unity-hot-button-m-lok

Replacement weapon light body, not necessary but recommended.

https://arisakadefense.com/collections/tailcaps-remotes/products/modlite-18650-body

Impact Weapon Components Inline Mlok light Mount 

https://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/thorntail-inline-for-m-lok/

Surefire M600DF 1500 lumens
https://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/surefire-m600df-scout-blk-1500-lumen/

Surefire remote switch cap.

https://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/surefire-m6xx-sw-tail-cap-no-cable/

Or

https://www.impactweaponscomponents.com/product/surefire-replcemnt-rear-cap-m300-600/
Angled Mlok QD sling mounts

https://www.strikeindustries.com/shop/si-link-aqd.html

 

Been actually looking at the 640DF from Surefire.

This is a nice list. I appreciate you doing my homework haha. Definitely need to need to take a closer look at Arisaka. I have a few adaptors from them. They are rock solid and really top notch. Thanks for the input

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gents –
I’ve been following the market for replacement forearms like many of you have.  SD’s shopping list above along with many of your posts has reinvigorated my search.  I am currently running a shitty old light on an IWC mount with a tape switch that sits right where my support thumb wants it to be.  Also an RMR on a Scalarworks mount.  My wish list for an overall upgrade is:  Light or light/laser combo (Streamlight?) probably mounted on the right side with a tape switch/Arisaka Hot Button on the left side for my support hand thumb.  Also a QD swivel for a sling (BF or MPUL) on the forearm.


Here is what I “think” is my priority for aftermarket forearms.  You can reach-out and disagree if you want; my mind is malleable (or maybe just mush'able).
1)    Ergonomics – properly placed controls for a natural grip that allow for intuitive/natural and reliable function.  I like the OEM grips but obviously have not had a chance to fondle the others!
2)    Form Fit and Function – Ease of assembly/disassembly with attach points that are strong to withstand torque, bend, stress of a sling mounted on the pointy-end.  Manufacturers and YouTuber's are not giving good tutorials on how these things are attached, accept for Hayl Rail.
3)    A close #2 is weight.  Todd from FFT had no idea what the Truckees weigh so I’m reaching out to MESA.  Brileys are hefty.
4)    Price – Though the Brileys ain’t cheap!

Here is what I have so far:
                                Length     Price      Weight
OEM forearm            7.5"                       4.8 oz
Hayl Rail MLOK        7.5"        $115      6.6 oz
Truckee FFT             8.5"        $100    
Truckee FFT              11"        $120    
Briley 3Gun                  8"        $275       9.5 oz
Briley 3Gun                13"        $325     12.9 oz


A lot of good comments from you posters on this thread.  Your thoughts have influenced my thoughts above.
Rgarc and joegie – Please let us know what Briley does to satisfy the fitment issue.  What are the attachment points on the forward end of the forearm?  I would think there is got’a be something around the barrel lug to support the forearm.  Seems like a weak area to the uninformed me.
CalPatriot – Did you ever get your Truckee?  Like it?  Same question, how does it attach toward the forward end of the forearm?
The Hayl Rail may not be a bad option with the RTV applied to get rid of the setscrews?  The upper MLOK slots look to be in a natural position for tail cap, Hot Button or tape switches.  It also looks like the thing is covered in MLOK positions but am guessing not; probably ventilation ports and weight reduction cutouts.

I know this is a Briley MLOK Thread, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the Briley and others.

Thanks, Ave Perrito
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is my deductive reasoning. If you’re going to mount the light where the Strike Industries or the short Briley rail provides, you might as well just use a IWC mount and skip the weight/cost penalty. The Truckee has the mlok sockets in the wrong spot in my opinion, so it’s a no go. 
 

Now if you can deal with the weight penalty of the longer Briley rail, you pick up the option of mounting the light so that you’ll have minimal barrel shadowing. This is a big step forward from the IWC or Ava Tactical mounting options which have massive amounts of shadowing to the opposite side that the light is mounted. 
 

It’s tough to beat the ergonomics of the OEM handguard. I haven’t handled the Briley rail yet, but I imagine it’s not terrible. Add some nice rail covers and it’ll be better. The Strike Industries rail felt good, but it had its stupid mounting system. It also mounts a light about where the IWC/AVA solutions do, so why bother?

As for mounting a laser, as long as your expectations are forgiving, you’ll be alright. The rails don’t quite seat to the same place every time. It’ll be good enough for shotgun distances. 
 


 

Edited by StrangerDanger
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@Birdog19 the briley handguard attaches like the oem, where the barrel cinches it against the receiver with the mag tube cap, there is no movement unless you twist the handguard, it’s very minimal but it’s present. there’s no forward movement on the handguard, so i’m guessing there’s some play where the barrel cinches down onto the handguard allowing the handguard to twist in the mount.  also the front of the handguard is open, so there’s only 2 points of contact with the receiver and the barrel.

 

i haven’t had the chance to shoot it with the new handguard, also i haven’t adjusted any of the screws that are on the handguard.  i’ll be interested to see how they fix this issue.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/29/2020 at 2:46 PM, Birdog19 said:

For those that care, MESA tactical got back to me with the weights for the Truckee forearms.  I added the info below:


                                Length      Price      Weight
OEM forearm            7.5"                       4.8 oz
Hayl Rail MLOK        7.5"        $115      6.6 oz
Truckee FFT             8.5"        $100      9.0 oz
Truckee FFT              11"        $120    11.0 oz
Briley 3Gun                  8"        $275       9.5 oz
Briley 3Gun                13"        $325     12.9 oz



 

 

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Q8SzCE7.jpg?1

I was looking at going with the Briley 13" rail today. The Briley rail ends almost where the current weapon light head ends on my M600 Intellibeam. Which we can say is roughly 5.5 inches long. On my setup, the light starts at 7.5". I can only estimate with the Briley rail, but I would estimate that it would start from the 12-13.5 inch range. That would get my light nearly flush with the muzzle which would eliminate barrel shadow. There is a variable in using the Impact Weapon Components MLOK light mount. There are three options available. The first isn't meant to overhang off the end of the rail. Two and three are beefier and designed to extend forward off of the rail. I think we can get buy with option 1 which is lighter and cleaner of an installation.

f42bd3653e9c51f3e6896962a17b3b6d.jpgc975726bc64f3949a845226135e5bf0a.jpg505d5d35f65d798afff5713228c61f48.jpg

 

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So I got an email back from briley. The adaptors should be in this week. They are being anodized.

that being said, if you refer to the date of my original post, I was told the hand guards were also being anodized and would be out in a couple weeks initially. They ended up coming out weeks later. 
 

i work with metal, it doesn’t take a couple of weeks, typically, to get something anodized. Turnaround is usually a week at the most. 
 

I’ll keep y’all posted to see if this time they stick to the week lead time. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, joegie said:

are they free or charge or do we have to pay for them? 

I’m not paying for them fixing their defective hand guard. Just depends on you though I guess. Not trying to be snarky, I honestly don’t understand how any company would expect you to pay in this situation. I’m not even going to install it, I’ll let them do it

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...