u/Factor_Seven

I've shared some of the handguards I've been designing, and the fact that I won't be able to open the webstore and go into production until I recover from my upcoming rotator cuff surgery a couple of weeks from now. The good thing is by not trying to rush into production I've gone through several generations of attachment options and have finally settled on a version that both functions well and allows for a more flexible and smoother exterior (short explanation; production models will have the attachment hardware embedded from the inside, no slot on the outside like the stock guard that I have to work around).

Since I've been a big tease but couldn't produce in a reasonable amount of time, I thought I'd put a couple of my earlier designs out there to allow anyone to print them for their own use. One is a MP5 style guard, and the other is a hex guard. These designs use the hardware from your stock handguard to attach them to your pistol. You will need to print a "beefed" Picatinny rail end cap to replace the stock one, as my handguards are thicker than the original. The link for it is in the description of each model.

Here are the links to the models. If you make one and install, I'll expect to see some pictures here.

MP5 Style

Hex Style

If you've seen some of the posts I've had over the past couple of months with some of my handguard designs, I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that I've learned a lot about what works and what doesn't, both mechanically and aesthetically. Some designs looked good in the design software, but just didn't look right on the pistol. Additionally, I completely redesigned the interior geometry, opening up a lot more design and production options. I've settled on a completely enclosed attachment design so you won't need to use the stock hardware by inserting it through a slot on the outside. Retaining nuts will be pre-installed from the inside which allows for a smoother external surface.

The bad news is that I'm about to have rotator cuff surgery in a couple of weeks, and won't be able to go into production for a few months. I also won't be able to tweak the designs for a bit as my bad shoulder is attached to my mouse arm. In the meantime, I may get the page up and going as a work in progress with some sample pictures. I was also thinking about sending some of the prototypes out for evaluation. I'd only ask enough to cover the cost of shipping and the filament used, in exchange for an honest assessment of my work. I'm about to be out of town for a week, so I'll see if there's any interest in these when I get back.

Addendum: To all of you guys wishing me a speedy recovery, thank you. Seriously. A year ago I was recovering from having rotator cuff surgery on my OTHER arm (post-op report from my doc to my son after surgery; "His shoulder was seriously effed up"), and I'm really not emotionally ready to go through it again. But it's not gonna get better, so no use in dragging it out.

So I trimmed it down and added a steeper angle to the back of the guard and I'm pretty happy with it. Now for the next question; I had a thought to replace the picatinny end cap with a rail extension to bring it to the end of the handguard. What do you think about a full rail option? Poor photoshop picture for comparison.

EDIT: general consensus is that this version is better off with the stock rail, and I think I agree. Need to see how it would look on a different type of rail.

The one with the straight back (top), or the angled cutout (bottom)?

All the stress from experimenting with stronger handguards Brooke this thing off at the bottom. It was pretty flimsy to start with, so I've designed a replacement that can be printed out as a solid piece and should be stronger. I want to put the file on the model platforms so anyone that needs one can print one out, but I don't know what to call it.

EDIT: Published the file on Makerworld

Working on both regular and long versions of a hex handguard. I've just about finished with all my refinements, and I'll have an online store up and running soon. I'll probably have four different style handguards in both long and short versions.

I have run into a problem, though. The piece on the very front of the picatinny rail that hooks into the front of the handguard has broken with all of the swaps that I've been doing back and forth. I pulled it off to check it out and it's an unnecessarily weak design. I'm going to sketch out a new replacement part that should be stronger than what Extar produced. It bolts straight into the front of the picatinny rail. I'm going to draw up a direct replacement, but if anybody has an idea of something a little different feel free to hit me up.

Edit: neither of of those two blast diverters are the stock Extar devices. The one on the right is a Terminator Flash Can, and the left one is KAK Industry extended flash can. It's a little longer than the stock can.

Took one of the guy's advice and extended the MP5 handguard out. I think it turned out pretty nice, though I do like the steeper angle on the shorter version. Ended up with four M-Loks on the sides and three on the bottom. Taking it to the range right now to see how it feels. Here it is with a suppressor on it. I thought I could post multiple pictures but apparently I can't, I'll get some more up later of this handguard and another one I'm working on.