{"id":70961,"date":"2017-03-03T15:48:49","date_gmt":"2017-03-03T20:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=70961"},"modified":"2026-05-29T11:12:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T16:12:36","slug":"brigand-blade-the-lightest-ar-handguard-in-the-world-shot-show-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/brigand-blade-the-lightest-ar-handguard-in-the-world-shot-show-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Brigand Blade: The Lightest AR Handguard in the World! – SHOT Show 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Brigand<\/a>

The Brigand Blade.<\/p><\/div>\n

To learn more, visit the Brigand Arms website.<\/a><\/p>\n

Overview<\/h2>\n
\"Brigand<\/a>

The design concept is built on a platform of braided carbon tube.<\/p><\/div>\n

At SHOT Show 2017, I ran into the folks from Brigand Arms, and yes that is Brigand (brig-uh nd) n. – \u00a0A renegade or outlaw; member of a well-armed band. They were a happy band because they have changed the game in lightweight AR forearms.<\/p>\n

The BA handguard concept is built on a platform of braided carbon tube; technically called \u2018Open-Architecture Composite Structure\u2019 or O-ACS for short. The O-ACS geometry is computer designed T700 carbon braided composite yarns in a lattice to minimizes weight<\/a> and maximize stiffness and strength.<\/p>\n

It is then shrouded within a protective jacket. This jacket prevents cracking, splinters while also\u00a0ensuring all-weather durability and abrasion resistance. Solid metal end-caps provide rock-solid mounting on the receiver and protection from impact on the forend.<\/p>\n

They make their own barrel nut and jamb nut from 7075 Aluminum and Chromalloy steel. It weighs a total of 1.4 oz.<\/p>\n

The result of all this engineering is a super lightwieght but strong handguard. To make its point, the folks at Brigand hung a 40-pound dumbbell\u00a0from the end of BA handguard. \u00a0The even swung it around to demonstrate its toughness. \u00a0There were\u00a0ino signs of bending!<\/p>\n

\"Brigand<\/a>

40-pound dumbell helps to iterate the point that this is indeed a durable forend.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Blade can withstand the heat of sustained fire, partly because it rejects barrel heat faster than most handguards. The open-architecture guard will warm up to operating temperature faster. However, under sustained firing the barrel will be cooler and the handguard will cool<\/a> faster after firing than with any enclosed guard. This improves barrel life and decreases heat signature duration.<\/p>\n

Specs<\/h2>\n
\"Brigand<\/a>

Specs and Pricing for the AR version.<\/p><\/div>\n