First Look: Samson Manufacturing SXS Lightweight Handguard

New for 2017, Samson Manufacturing announced the addition of the SXS Lightweight handguard to its SX series of handguards designed for the AR-15 platform.

The new SXS Lightweight handguard is designed with advanced technology and materials in order to offer AR-15 owners one of the lightest accessories on the market today. The 13-inch model offered by the company weighs in at just 6.8 ounces, yet the construction is strong enough to withstand rigorous duty use, proven through a series of deflection tests that guarantee it will meet all professional standards.

In designing the handguard, Samson Manufacturing kept an eye toward the future and chose lightweight aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum for use in construction instead of carbon fiber, ensuring that the SXS Lightweight could be guaranteed to hold up to long-term use. To reduce the weight, the company made a number of strategic lightening cuts that eliminated unnecessary material while maintaining the integrity of the product.

The SXS Lightweight handguard is equipped with Samson Manufacturing's Vertical Bias Mount (VBM) technology, a patent-pending design that offers a number of unique benefits over other mounting systems on the market. To attach the handguard to a standard AR-15 receiver, the handguard comes equipped with a VBM barrel nut that can be installed easily and securely without worrying about clocking or using shims.

Once the barrel nut is tightened according to proper torque specs, users can simply slide the handguard over the nut and secure two mounting screws. During this process, the company's handguard clamp and several built-in alignment tabs guide the handguard to its proper position on the rifle, ensuring a seamless integration with any standard AR-15 receiver.

In the interest of reducing weight, the Samson Manufacturing SXS Lightweight handguard does not incorporate a continuous Picatinny top rail. Instead, a small section of rail is included that mates up with a standard A3 flattop receiver in order to facilitate optics mounting. At the muzzle end of the handguard, another small section of Picatinny rail allows users to add iron sights.

The inside diameter of the handguard measures 1.3 inches, while the outside measures 1.5 inches. The handguard offers M-Lok attachment points at the 3-, 6- and 9-o'clock positions. The Samson SXS Lightweight handguard is offered in 13-inch and 15-inch lengths. The suggested retail price starts at $249.