STNGR VYPR M-LOK Free Floating Handguard for AR15s – Review

U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)-I recently started on another project build. This time I decided to build a new AR-15. One of the most crucial parts of an AR-15 build is a good rail system.

Looking into rails, I decided to go with an M-LOK system over a KeyMod system due to the USSOCOM sponsored testing that the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Crane (NSWC-Crane) carried out on the two platforms. The NSWC-Crane testing compared M-LOK to KeyMod to try to determine which system was superior. The M-LOK system outperformed the KeyMod system in almost every facet by a large margin.

I wanted a free-floating handguard for this build, and I decided to shop for a system that was between 13.5 inches and 15 inches in length. I settled on a rail system that was 13.5 inches in length for purely cosmetic reasons. I am using a Strike Industries Warhog Comp muzzle brake which is a fairly small muzzle device and didn’t think that a 15-inch rail system would look right on my rifle.

My friend, Roger, has been telling me about STNGR USA rails for a while now. Roger has an addiction to building AR-15s, so I tend to take his opinions seriously. He also had a brand new STNGR USA VYPR M-LOK Free Floating Handguard that he wasn’t using and was willing to give to me to use for my build.

When Roger gave me the handguard, I opened the box to take a look at what came with the rail. The rail was well packed. The package came with the VYPR 13.5″ M-LOK rail, barrel nut, anti-slide plate, crowfoot wrench, Allen screws, and an Allen wrench along with a sticker.

STNGR USA includes an aluminum barrel nut. For $14.99 they do sell an upgraded barrel nut made of 1018 steel. I went ahead and just kept the stock barrel nut that came with the kit. I am considering purchasing the steel nut in the future. The only disadvantage to the steel is barrel nut is the weight. The steel barrel nut weighs in at 3.29 ounces whereas the aluminum barrel nut weighed in at 1.4 ounces. I would have liked to see STNGR USA include the steel version of the barrel nut in the kit.

With a torque wrench and the included crowfoot wrench, the barrel nut went on quickly without any issues. I greased the threads down with AeroShell Grease 33MS and tightened the nut with 40lbs of torque. The grease helps combat corrosion and wear on the threads.

STNGR USA made the VYPR M-LOK Free Floating Handguard out of 6061-T6 type III anodized aluminum. This type of aluminum is the same type a lot of manufacturers use to make lower receivers for the AR-15 platform. The 6061-T6 aluminum isn’t as durable as the 7075-T6 varieties, but it is more than adequate for a handguard. Even with that fact, I wish that STNGR had used 7075-T6 aluminum.

There are four quick disconnect mounting points for slings on the STNGR USA VYPR M-LOK Handguard. The first two QD mount points are on the front of the handguard. The second set of QD mount points is towards the rear of the handguard. Above the QD mounting points in the rear, STNGR engraved their logo.

STNGR reinforced the rear QD mounting points that are on the VYPR Handguard. This spot is where I like to attach a sling, so this works for me, Although I did try using the front QD mounting points with no discernable wear over my 12 range trips with my rifle.

The cuts on the VYPR M-LOK Free Floating Handguard are aggressive. STNGR USA made the cuts lean towards the front of the rail. It feels as if the handguard is flowing towards the target. I really like the aggressiveness and the feel of the design.

STNGR designed the VYPR Handguard to work with both low profile and adjustable gas blocks. One thing that was disappointing about the handguard is that it doesn’t work with billet upper receivers without modification to the handguard. For this reason, I went with a forged upper receiver on this build.

STNGR USA designed this rail to be lightweight. The VYPR Handguard weighs in at 9.38 ounces. It is almost unnoticeable installed on my rifle. I was a little concerned about how light it was, but at the same time, it felt solid. The lightweight of the rail should cut back on the amount of fatigue the shooter will feel while using their rifle.

Installing the VYPR Handguard was a cinch. STNGR USA used a “clamshell” type system at the base of the handguard to install it onto the upper receiver. I tightened the handguard down, and now it was time to test the rifle at the range a few times before passing final judgment.

The first thing that I was interested to see was how comfortable the STNGR USA VYPR Handguard would be to use. It felt comfortable in my hands, but I needed to use it all day to determine if it would remain comfortable. I have used certain items in the past that started out comfortable but ended up being very uncomfortable (I am looking at you stock selector switch on the CZ Scorpion).

The thing that I was worried about with the VYPR Handguard was the same thing that gave it the great looks. I was afraid that the cuts would make it uncomfortable after a day of shooting. I am happy to report that after 12 trips of all day of shooting using a C-Clamp grip it was still very comfortable.

The second thing I look for in a handguard is heat dissipation. The STNGR USA VYPR M-LOK Free Float Handguard never really got that hot. I think those significant aggressive cuts let the heat escape without building up. The handguard did warm up after three magazine dumps in a row, but it never got to the point where it was uncomfortable.

STNGR USA manufactures the VYPR M-LOK Free Float Handguard in the United States with US sourced aluminum. STNGR sought and received third-party verification from Made In The USA Brands. STNGR’s certification means that they use all US parts made from US materials, which makes a big difference for me. I am willing to pay a little more for US goods.

STNGR USA also includes a 100% lifetime warranty on everything that they sell. If you aren’t happy with your order, they will refund your money at any time. When I saw that I called up Roger to ask why he gave the rail to me instead of him just sending it back, and his answer was he wanted me to spread the word about a product he genuinely likes and is loyal to.

Well Roger, I more than like this rail. I love this rail. I am sure I will be buying more items from STNGR USA in the future.

STNGR USA sells he VYPR M-LOK Free Float Handguard for $119.99.

STNGR USA sells this rail and more on their website located at https://www.stngrusa.com.

About John Crump

John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. He is the former CEO of Veritas Firearms, LLC and is the co-host of The Patriot News Podcast which can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/patriotnews. John has written extensively on the patriot movement including 3%’ers, Oath Keepers, and Militias. In addition to the Patriot movement, John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and is currently working on a book on leftist deplatforming methods and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, on Facebook at realjohncrump, or at www.crumpy.com.

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