AR-15 over molded Hogue grip and forearm?

M

Michael J. McCasland

New member
I admit it, I've been nipped by the AR bug just a little bit. So, I've been handling a few AR's lately to see if I can find solutions to the gripes I've had with the AR platform.

One thing I've never liked was the cold feel of an all most all metal AR. This week end I handled an Ar that actually felt different, somehow nicer than the average AR. When I looked closely I realized that the forearm was soft and rubberized, the dealer said it had a the Hogue grip and forearm. For an AR it was almost nice feeling!

My question is: do any of you AR guys have one of these forearms and how durable are they .... will they hold up for the long run?
 
I have hunted in Northern Minnesota with the Hogue over-molded handguard for several years. I have also sold well over 200 of them over the years and have yet to hear of any of them going bad. The handguard on my personal whitetail gun looks just as good today as it did 3 or 4 years ago when it was new.

You are right, they make a huge difference on hand comfort in cold weather. They are also quite a bit more quiet than a standard aluminum free-float tube. The rubber over-mold seems to dampen most of the sounds you would normally generated with the aluminum tube.
 
Last year I installed one of the Hogue OM kits on my brothers AR and it is really nice. He has a hard time taking care of his stuff and he hasn't been able to tear his up so I'll vouch for their durability. The pistol grip really outshines the stock grip also.
Trashcan
Death Card Calls
 
Hogue certainly has a good name when it comes to rubber molded products. I'm not surprised to hear good things about them. While researching them there is reference to the forearm being a two piece unit? What are they talking about? Does the tube unscrew or come apart in some way?

I know one thing, no matter what, if I have my way the next AR platform rifle I get will have one of these forearms on it. .... Hmmm problem, the rifle will have to be dipped similar to the rifle I used to have ... that was a darned fine rifle, the next one will need to be better suited to me, I think a skeleton stock and Hogue gripping surfaces are a must ... hey, I see they come in OD or some sort of tan as well as black. That tan would look nice with a dipped gun. I wonder if the dippers can mask off areas like the rubber grip and just cover the metal parts ....... Hmmmmmmmmm /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif yeeesss, a 22” lighter than I had before barrel chambered in 204, skeleton stock, Hogue gripping surfaces, a high rise upper with an exterior charging handle and single stage trigger all dipped in one of the great patterns available today ….. Hmmmmm yes I think that just might be nice ….. I really liked the looks of the Rock River lower I had my hands on this weekend ….. Hmmmmm /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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I wonder if the dippers can mask off areas like the rubber grip and just cover the metal parts ....... Hmmmmmmmmm /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif



They do come in OD, and yes, the coaters can mask off the rubber and camo the rest. They can't camo the rubber though.
 
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I wonder if the dippers can mask off areas like the rubber grip and just cover the metal parts ....... Hmmmmmmmmm /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif



They do come in OD, and yes, the coaters can mask off the rubber and camo the rest. They can't camo the rubber though.



Mike, I may have to call you about getting a 243 WSSM upper with this handguard, do you have any camo on hand? (Camo is a 4 letter word isn't it!)
 
Michael, I believe the 2 piece refers to the barrel nut and the hand guard it self that screws onto the nut. (my terminology may be incorrect)
 
Michael,

I just received my new D-Tech from Mike Milli and the Hogue "foregrip" and pistol grip were included. I am VERY satisfied with both additions even though I was too excited when I ordered the rifle to remember that Mike told me I needed them. Oh well, all's well that ends well.

Enjoy!

Rustydog
 
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It's amazing when ones eyes are opened a little. I'd never seen these forearms before, now it seems that lots of people have them. I wonder what I'll notice tomarrow..

Lance - You might be right, I have no idea what they are talking about. Mike Milli said they seem to make the gun quieter, that can't be anything but good!
 
MJM- I don't know how an AR could be nicer than the one you had. Most people would give their eye teeth for that one, and you could have easily fitted it with the hogue pistol grip and forearm. And a skeleton stock too. Of course it wasn't a .204, or a high rise.....

An AR will definately grow on you if you don't like it at first. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Then I couldn't get my head around the AR and needed the money to quiet my wife. This is not against the rifle I had before, you are right it was/is a great rifle. My short time with that rifle has me thinking about what there was about an AR that I truly didn't like. I've come to these conclusions.

- The rifle was a bit cold for me, to get all soft and squishy about it, the rifle just didn't talk to my hands the way I wanted it to. The Hogue gripping surfaces were quite pleasant and liveable or more alive.

- I didn't like the stock very well, can't tell you why, but I didn't. After handling skeleton stock with a soft pad on the psrng housing I find the feel and balance quite comfortable. Not perfect but acceptable.

- The charging handle location has always been a major sticking point for me. Hard to get at and unnaturally located. A couple weeks ago Broncoglen turned me onto a side charging handle upper. It's a bit expensive, but it looks like what I'm looking for. Fortunately the upper also comes with a raised mounting rail.

- Other possibilities that excite me. I can choose the camo pattern, I can choose the barrel contour, I can choose the trigger style, I can choose the chambering (204), I can choose the barrel length I still believe in a barrel length of ~22", and I can do most of the work myself (I'll have the barrel turned and fit, possibly by Dan Carey, he's relatively local and I like the look in his eye). In the end this will be a rifle I can truly consider to be my own. That's the true excitement of owning a rifle like an AR for me, I can truly make it my own.
 
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The charging handle location has always been a major sticking point for me. Hard to get at and unnaturally located.



A tactical latch would solve part of that problem. Not the location of course, but it would make it easier to get to with a scope mounted, and not all that expensive.
 
Do they put those on the left side? The upper I'm looking at has a handle on the left side, sort of like an MP-5, perfect for a left handed shooter, it comes with a modified bolt and carrier. I'm not set on this, it's sort of expensive.
 
Micheal............. You sound like me last year!! If the AR didn't fit you once, it won't next time. I ran through 4 or five uppers, EOP, 24, 16, 20, ect.

Save yourself the money, and build the bolt gun of your dreams.

There are AR guys, and a few fellas an AR just won't suit them for many reasons. I am one of those unfortunate souls.

Micheal, nothing wrong with you if The AR doesn't fit you, and I have come to believe the AR is a bit of "Emperors new clothes" syndrome. Cool factor is high, but won't help old Sleddogg one bit.

Just gotta know when something doesn't work for you, no use pounding a square peg in a round hole. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I'm not Zumbo, not bashing AR's ( mine were acceptably accurate) or their owners, BUT they are not for everyone.
 
Micheal I just got my RRA A4 custom Varminator in today and its sweet. Its the 1st AR I have ever held and yes it is different than a bolt gun but a Browning BAR and Winchester 94 are different than a bolt gun too. Every gun isnt supposed to feel the same!!! I cant wait to shoot mine this weekend. I personally dont think you will be disapointed with one. Ill post pics later of mine it has the Hogue Forearm and Hogue grip.
 
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