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Abarrel shroud is an external covering that envelops (either partially or full-length) thebarrel of afirearm to prevent unwanted direct contact with the barrel (e.g. accidental collision with surrounding objects or the user accidentally touching a hot barrel, which can lead toburns).[1] Moving coverings such aspistol slides,fore-end extensions of thegunstock/chassis that do not fully encircle the barrel, and the receiver (or frame) of a firearm itself are generally not described as barrel shrouds, though they can functionally act as such.
Inshotguns, a thin, slim partial shroud known as arib is often mounted above the barrel to shield away themirage generated by barrel heat, which can interfere with aiming.
Full-length barrel shrouds are commonly featured on air-cooledmachine guns, where frequent rapidbursts or sustainedautomatic fire will leave the barrel extremely hot and dangerous to the user. However, shrouds can also be used onsemi-automatic firearms, especially the ones with light-weight barrels, as even a small number of shots can heat up a barrel enough to injure the user in certain circumstances.
Barrel shrouds are also used onpump-action shotguns. The militarytrench shotgun features a ventilated metal handguard with a bayonet attachment lug.[2] Ventilated handguards or heat shields (usually without bayonet lugs) are also used on policeriot shotguns and shotguns marketed for civilian self-defense. The heat shield also serves as an attachment base for accessories such as sights or sling swivels.
Ahandguard (also known as theforend orforearm) onfirearms is a barrel shroud specifically designed to allow the user to grip the front of the gun. It provides a safeheat-insulated surface for the user's hand to firmly hold onto without needing to worry about gettingburned by thebarrel, which may become very hot when firing. It can also serve as an attachment platform for secondary weapons (such as an underslungM203 grenade launcher orM26-MASS) as well as accessories such asbipods,tactical lights,laser sights,night-vision devices,foregrips (or handstops),slings and a variety of other attachments.
Handguards are typically available as two types. The first has a contact point at the base of the barrel and a predetermined length up the barrel. They are typically made of polymer if they are this brand but can be made of different types of alloys. If they have the two contact points they are considered to be a drop in handguard.
The other type attaches around the barrel but does not make contact with it directly. That particular type of handguard is, the majority of the time, made out of some form of aluminum or aluminum alloy. That allows for what is considered a free-floating barrel. Free floating barrels are known to have greater accuracy than their counterparts that have drop in hand guards.They also use a number of mounting systems, with the main ones beingM-LOK,KeyMod, andPicatinny.
In the context of melee weapons, a "handguard" refers to thecrossguard (also known as thequillons or crosstree), the enlarged front part of asword,saber orknife/dagger'shilt, which protects the wielder's hands from an opponent's blade sliding towards the hilt or prevents the wielder's own hand and fingers from accidentally slipping onto the blade whenstabbing.
Free-floating handguards, also referred to as "floating" handguards, have seen a rise in popularity in the recent years. They work by only attaching to the firearm at one point (on the barrel nut by theupper receiver) while the remainder of the handguard does not make contact with the barrel. This gives the impression that the handguard is "floating" around the barrel, hence the name.[3]
Because they void barrel warping, free-floating handguards have been known to increase accuracy between 0.5 and 0.75 MOA (0.15–0.2 mrad) compared to their drop-in counterparts.
Barrel warping occurs when the handguard makes contact with the barrel, which then slightly alters the barrel's angle, reducing accuracy. This can occur when a rifle is propped up against a surface or with abipod. Force exerted onto the handguard pushes back up against the barrel, which deflects the barrel, reducing accuracy. The angle may seem insignificant; however, even a slight deviation can cause the shot to dramatically deviate down range.
Free-floating handguards do not suffer from barrel warping as they do not make contact with the barrel. Force exerted onto the handguard is not transferred to the barrel, which allows for an increase in accuracy.