[ This guest post was written by Timothy Yan ]

Unrevealed at SHOT Show 2011, the new drop-in rail hand guard adds to Midwest Industries’ (MI) already extensive AR-15 product lineup. It’s a major upgrade from the previous generation of drop-in MI rail hand guard. Not only there are many new features but more importantly, it is 2.5 ounces lighter than the older model.

I have been using the older Gen 1 model for the past two years. It impressed me on how well it holds up in training. The installation of the new Gen 2 model is as easy as the old one. All it needed is to take off the stock plastic hand guard or existing drop-in rail hand guard then replace it with the new MI hand guard. If your rifle has a very stiff delta ring, you may want to use an AR hand guard removal tool. A removal tool is also handy for taking off the hand guard for weapon cleaning.

The followings are difference on the new Gen 2 drop-in rail hand guard to the older Gen 1 model:

• Continuous top rail section
• 4 QD sling swivel sockets with anti-rotation limiters
• One-piece construction for each halves
• Improved interface taps for better lock-up
• Larger cooling holes
• Better gas piston system compatibility
• 7.5 oz weight, a 2.5 oz reduction over the Gen 1

All of the Midwest Industries rail systems are CNC machined from T6 aluminum and hard anodized. Each milspec 1913 rail sections on them are T-marked for accessory location. MI backs each of their rail hand guard system with a Lifetime warranty.

The MI rail hand guards are always have great compatibility with AR-15 gas piston systems. The new Gen 2 drop-in model is compatible with gas piston systems from Adam Arms, Stag, CMMG, Smith & Wesson, ARES and LWRC. The only exception is the gas piston kit from Osprey, which needs the MI P-series models. Call or email MI for gas piston models that are not listed.

Besides of the reviewed 7-in carbine length, the new MI Gen 2 drop-in model is also comes in 9-in mid-length and 12-in rifle-length size. The color options are: black, OD Green and Flat Dark Earth.

The MI Gen2 drop-in quad rail hand guard is available directly from Midwest Industries or one of its retailers. The MSRP is $124.95 (7-in carbine length, #MCTAR-17G2), $139.95 (9-in mid-length, #MCTAR-18G2) and $159.95 (12-in rifle length, #MCTAR-19G2)