M16A2 Handguards and Madbull outer barrels

[Jackarutu]

I’m researching into assembling an Airsoft replica of an M16A2 starting with a MadBull 16“ Dissipater Outer Barrel. I also plan on assembling another version using some type of R.I.S. (which will be the easy one to gather up all the parts for.)

Back to the M16A2. I could use a Tokyo Marui type Delta ring and Tokyo Marui handguards but they are too flimsy to my taste and also would require either trimming the handguards or grooving the outer barrel so they would fit up. Instead, I wish to use the real steel type Delta ring (as found on many M4s these days) with the star teeth. This then poses the problem if anyone in the Airsoft world makes handguards to fit this delta ring and long enough to cover an M16A2? I suppose I could go to a real steel dealer for them but thought I would try the forum first to see if anyone has been down this road before me?

Second problem has anyone besides myself found that the pin grooves in the Madbull outer barrels are a lose fit for the pins that come with gas blocks and front sights. Yes, I know a real gunsmith would step to the lath and turn out some to make the perfect fit but really . . .

[Kos-Mos]

Just buy an other brand. ICS makes some great handguards and they fit on the dissipator barrels. Using a "star" shaped delta nut won't remove any flex from the handguard, it is because of the soft ABS plastic used. You can however buy a delta nut that is shaped that way, just useless for that setup.

A realsteel nut won't fit on any AEG except PTWs. It will also fit on most GBBR rifles, but that is not your situation.

[Jackarutu]

Mr. Kos-Mos,

Thanks for your reply.

1. I didn’t realize anyone could read what I wrote and get the idea I was thinking of using a real steel delta ring/ barrel nut.
2. Just switching to another brand won’t solve my situation unless the “other brand” is not Tokyo Marui clone. I have never had an ICS M16A2 in my hands before so no pint of reference.

Switching the conversation to the M4A1 and Madbull barrels; Madbull manufactures their 14 inch barrel with slots on each side of the barrel base so that Tokyo Marui clone M4A1 handguards with a Tokyo Marui clone Delta ring/ barrel nut can fit on it without modification to either the outer barrel or the handguards. Future more, the barrel length is adjustable thus allowing one to lengthen it so as to fit the real steel handguards (as found on VFC, G&P, WE, etc) when using a Airsoft version of the real steel Delta ring/ barrel nut. These real steel handguards are 4 to 5 times as thick as the typical Tokyo Marui clone handguards plus most of them have heat shields located inside just like the real steel.

Now, switching back to my original question (query) my plan is to abandon the thin plastic Tokyo Marui clone M16A2 handguards and replace them with a real steel Airsoft type that would be built of thicker material just like the Real Steel Airsoft type M4A1 types are. This then would require using a Real Steel Airsoft type Delta ring/ barrel nut. Reasons to do this:

1. Without modification the Madbull Dissipater series outer barrels will not accept Tokyo Marui clone M16A2 handguards.
2. Allowing the customer to enjoy the feel of a more structurally strong handguard as is befitting a Military replica M16A2.

It is possible several companies do make what I am looking for but after several days of searching I can find no Airsoft vendors that explicitly shows through pictures or illustrations that they in fact offer what I am looking for.

Edit: I stand corrected I just found an illustration of the G&P (And I must laugh here because they improperly ID it is as M4/M16) http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/gandp-m16...aeg-black.html

Also I just spent 2 hours on the phone with Evike discussing the G&P WA M16A2 Handguard Kit for WA M4 GBB Series Model : [Kit_GP_WP39] as found at Http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_i...ducts_id=29689

That is a kit which includes the barrel for a gas blow back Rifle. However, they don’t carry just the handguard as used in that kit.

They tried to offer the Black Reinforced Replacement M16 Hand Guard Set for M16 Series Airsoft AEG Model : [Hguard_MTX_M16] at http://www.airsoftpost.com/advanced_...Hguard_mtx_m16

Cheers