Your Privacy Choices
No matter what the length of barrel, there is a strong subset of AR owners who prefer a full length rail that carries all the way out to the muzzle. For the most part, I am in this camp as well – I like clean lines and plenty of room for hand placement. But challenges arise when shooters what to run non-linear brakes or compensators covered in part by the rail (do I really need to show you damage pictures?). And there also continues to be a trend to countersink suppressors under rail systems, creating heat and mounting concerns. Nordic Components has announced a system they believe will help suppressed shooters – the NCT4 Suppressor Shield.
The concept is fairly simple: Nordic has made a short rail with a quick attach/detach forward section. In the short configuration, shooters can run suppressed or unsppressed with a standard ~7″ or 9.5″ handguard. However, with the suppressor attached, the optional six inch forward section can be added without tools for additional rail area and some protection from the scalding can.
When I first saw Nordic Components’ NCT4 release announcement, I was hoping to see some insulation similar to the double heat shields inside milspec M4 handguards. Usually when the question comes up about mounting a silencer under a rail, my first response is about heat mitigation.
On the other hand, mounting a silencer under a rail with a quick detach capability gives you the option to run the rifle in either configuration with a couple of quick moves. Slow fire or pistol caliber level ballistics? Add the six inch rail section. Did your mount work loose under the rail? Easily remove the fonward section to access the muzzle.
I’m looking forward to seeing the reviews. Solid idea.
Waconia, Minnesota – Nordic Components announces the NCT4, an entirely new handguard system for short-barreled, suppressed AR-15s. This patent-pending design allows users to extend the length of their handguard when using a suppressor.
The NCT4 comes in two lengths, with either a 6.7″ or 9.5″ handguard to give maximum coverage on 7.5″ or 10.5/11.5″ barrels. The removable shield provides over 6″ of suppressor coverage and additional rail space. Both sections are fully M-LOK compatible and feature a seamless continuous top rail. Suppressor shield mounting is toolless, requiring only the push of a button to unlock the shield.
Fully compatible with standard AR15-pattern upper receivers and able to accommodate most suppressors, the NCT4 is the ultimate in protection, modularity, and mission-specificity for the suppressed short-barreled AR rifle.
“The current trend is for long handguards on AR-15 rifles, generally out to the end of the barrel. This allows more rail space and better mounting locations for accessories. Short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and AR pistols give up this option. However, Nordic Components set out to add a handguard extension when running SBR/Pistol AR-15s suppressed. The result is the NCT4 Suppressor Shield,” said Casey Knutson, Vice President at Nordic Components.
