Handguards and Upper Receivers Alone and in Combination

Abstract

In one embodiment the invention is a hand guard, comprising: a generally hollow cylindrical body having a rail securing top surface; a top Picatinny rail securable to the rail securing top surface. The top rail is in slidable engagement with the rail securing top surface such that the top Picatinny rail is removable from the top surface. The generally hollow cylindrical body is populated with vent holes. In another embodiment an upper receiver is provided, the upper receiver includes a front face located at a front end of the upper receiver, the upper receiver having a Picatinny rail atop thereof, the Picatinny rail having a last rail located at a front end of the Picatinny rail, the last rail is aligned with the front face. In another embodiment the hand guard has a fixed Picatinny rail atop thereof. At least one plug is optionally provided for fitting into vent holes.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A hand guard, comprising:
 a generally hollow cylindrical body having a rail securing top surface;   a top rail is in slidable engagement with the rail securing top surface such that the top rail is removable from the top surface, and      
     
     
         2 . A hand guard according to  claim 1 , wherein the generally hollow cylindrical body is populated with vent holes. 
     
     
         3 . A hand guard according to  claim 1  further comprising an upper receiver in which the hand guard is attached to the upper receiver, wherein the upper receiver includes a front face located at a front end of the upper receiver, the upper receiver having a Picatinny rail with a last rail located at a front end of the Picatinny rail, wherein the last rail is aligned with the front face. 
     
     
         4 . A hand guard according to  claim 2  further comprising a plug inserted into a vent hole. 
     
     
         5 . The hand guard according to  claim 4 , wherein the plug comprises:
 a wire mesh; and   a rim, wherein the rim defines a perimeter further defining the limits of the wire mesh.   
     
     
         6 . The hand guard according to  claim 5 , wherein the wire mesh and rim are made of aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . The hand guard according to  claim 4 , wherein the plug comprises:
 at least one metal strip; and   a rim.   
     
     
         8 . The hand guard according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one metal strip and rim are made of aluminum.