(click images to enlarge)
The handguards come shipped with a fastening cross bolt and allen wrench. It features Keymod slots at 3, 6 and 9'oclock positions as well as front and rear QD sling cups on each side.
First impressions on quality is excellent. Edges that should be sharp are sharp; edges that should be softened are softened. The Type III hardcoat is uniform and the branding is clean. What you immediately notice is that their extrusion is nearly identical to the factory HK extrusion. They have retained all important features such as the access hole for mounting the M320. Other than a slight difference between Type III hardcoat and HK's HE finish, you'd believe that this was a genuine HK hanguard.
The German handguard has the cross bolt block attached with obvious welds. The SI handguard does not appear to be welded, but perhaps bonded. The SI block does not have the captive cross bolt feature that the HK block has.
The included cross bolt is an off-the-shelf allen bolt. The head is of a smaller diameter and lacks the conical surface on the underside. It also lacks the factory HK416 head pattern which allows use of a bolt-head lug for removal. I recommend discarding the included cross bolt and reusing your HK416/MR556 cross bolt.
The SI hanguard is 2 ounces lighter.
When I installed the cross bolt, I had to bump the handguard forward a tad in order for it to insert through. This resulted in a small gap between the upper and the handguard. It is a non-critical issue and may be isolated to just this upper/handguard combo, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
The slots at the 36 and 17 positions are notched. I am unsure as to why they did this. When I attached the front Troy flip-up sight, it caused the clamp to slip and rotate. I had pay more care when mounting by pulling rearward to ensure better purchase on the rail.
Once installed, it flows with the lines of the gun allowing to retain its German design flare.
Shown here with Noveske NSR panels and Inforce WMLx.
OPINIONS:
If you like the lines of the original handguard but require more versatility, this is definitely one you should consider. I think it would be a nice feature for the cross bolt to be captive as well as the bolt itself to be more like the original HK cross bolt. The notches cut into the rails are a bit bewildering and could be an issue with equipment placement depending on the size of the clamping bracket. I'd also like to find out if the small gap I encountered is isolated to just this pairing.
Given the starting MSRP of $179.00, I'd say the Strike Industries Slick series are a home run. Great job guys!
The handguards come shipped with a fastening cross bolt and allen wrench. It features Keymod slots at 3, 6 and 9'oclock positions as well as front and rear QD sling cups on each side.
First impressions on quality is excellent. Edges that should be sharp are sharp; edges that should be softened are softened. The Type III hardcoat is uniform and the branding is clean. What you immediately notice is that their extrusion is nearly identical to the factory HK extrusion. They have retained all important features such as the access hole for mounting the M320. Other than a slight difference between Type III hardcoat and HK's HE finish, you'd believe that this was a genuine HK hanguard.
The German handguard has the cross bolt block attached with obvious welds. The SI handguard does not appear to be welded, but perhaps bonded. The SI block does not have the captive cross bolt feature that the HK block has.
The included cross bolt is an off-the-shelf allen bolt. The head is of a smaller diameter and lacks the conical surface on the underside. It also lacks the factory HK416 head pattern which allows use of a bolt-head lug for removal. I recommend discarding the included cross bolt and reusing your HK416/MR556 cross bolt.
The SI hanguard is 2 ounces lighter.
When I installed the cross bolt, I had to bump the handguard forward a tad in order for it to insert through. This resulted in a small gap between the upper and the handguard. It is a non-critical issue and may be isolated to just this upper/handguard combo, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
The slots at the 36 and 17 positions are notched. I am unsure as to why they did this. When I attached the front Troy flip-up sight, it caused the clamp to slip and rotate. I had pay more care when mounting by pulling rearward to ensure better purchase on the rail.
Once installed, it flows with the lines of the gun allowing to retain its German design flare.
Shown here with Noveske NSR panels and Inforce WMLx.
OPINIONS:
If you like the lines of the original handguard but require more versatility, this is definitely one you should consider. I think it would be a nice feature for the cross bolt to be captive as well as the bolt itself to be more like the original HK cross bolt. The notches cut into the rails are a bit bewildering and could be an issue with equipment placement depending on the size of the clamping bracket. I'd also like to find out if the small gap I encountered is isolated to just this pairing.
Given the starting MSRP of $179.00, I'd say the Strike Industries Slick series are a home run. Great job guys!