Ventilated hand guard?

[3154tm]

i'm looking for a ventilated hand guard to fit an M2 stock. going to try and mount a rail on it for a red dot type sight for occasional use. would like it to be parked and fit well without mods. i'm aware of the UltiMAK but it's a little pricey and i don't care for the look. thanks.

Information

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[painter777]

Would either of these work for you?

Cheers,
Charlie-Painter777

Metal Handguard for M1 Carbine | eBay

M1 Carbine Ventilated Black Metal Handguard Barrel Heatshield | eBay

[3154tm]

hi charlie,
that's the thing, i don't know. from searching and reading it appears that some of these work well and some don't depending on the manufacturer and the gun it's being used on. i don't know enough to make an informed decision and was hoping someone here had hands on experience. of course it's only about $20 to my door so not really a big deal, just rather not pay for one twice. i'm tempted to go with this one and get a couple of other things from northridge while i'm at it: Northridge International Inc. / M1 CARBINE VENTILATED STEEL HANDGUARD.
frank

[bonnie]

OP

Nifty idea! Might work on that myself.
Shot a friend's Plainfield M1 that had the metal, ventilated handguard. It got very warm with any rapid fire. Also had some looseness. With a red dot mounted might need to work out a way of keeping it tight and in place.

[painter777]

Try a google search, some ones been there and done that.

Cheers,
CH-P777

[vintage hunter]

Some of the metal hand guards are fairly stout while others are made of from thin untempered steel and are about as rigid as an empty beer can. I wouldn't think any of them would make a very stable scope mounting platform though. Even the better ones aren't thick enough to D&T so any rail would have to be riveted or soldered in place. They attach to the gun in the same manner as the wood originals where as the Ultimak clamps directly to the barrel, IIRC.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I agree with vintage Hunter and thought the same thing about Carbine hand guards. I wouldn't think any would be a good mount for accessories because most aren't that stable. Even with nothing attached most move a round some. I don't think a metal HG would be much better and be bumped out of correct site, but I may be wrong.

[3154tm]

thanks for the thoughtful input guys. you've saved me time and money because if the hand guard won't stay put there's no point in doing this. i may have to take another look at the UltiMak. my old eyes are starting to give me trouble with iron sights and i've been relying more on scopes and red dots. maybe i should put the money into a new pair of cheaters.

[bonnie]

OP

I am using red dots more myself because of fading near sight. When shooting iron sights I use a pair of .75 power reading glasses. Sharpens the front sight for pistol or rifle and still have fairly clear distance vision. Read that .50 power reading glasses are better but couldn't find any.

[painter777]

Wonder if mounting a 1913 Tinny rail section in a wood hand guards groove could work?
Maybe try a 4 rivet.

Under Handguard Integrated Rail GGG-1055 MIL STD 1913 Picatinny 5.56 .223 | eBay

CH-P777