Handguard assembly

Abstract

A handguard assembly for a firearm includes an outer member disposed forward of an upper receiver of the firearm where, a barrel nut disposed within the rear cavity, and at least one alignment member. The outer member includes a rear cavity and a threaded portion. The at least one alignment member contacts both the outer member and the upper receiver for alignment.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A handguard assembly for a firearm comprising:
 an outer member adjacent to an upper receiver of the firearm;   a barrel nut disposed within the outer member; and   at least one alignment member,   wherein the at least one alignment member contacts both the outer member and the upper receiver for alignment.   
     
     
         22 . The handguard assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the outer member comprises a polymer material. 
     
     
         23 . The handguard assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one alignment member comprises two alignment members. 
     
     
         24 . The handguard assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the two alignment members are connected to one another using a plurality of fasteners that pass through the outer member. 
     
     
         25 . The handguard assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the two alignment members are identical. 
     
     
         26 . The handguard assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the outer member comprises a threaded portion that is an insert that is a separate component from the outer member. 
     
     
         27 . The handguard assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the insert is metallic and outer member comprises a polymer material. 
     
     
         28 . The handguard assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the insert is overmolded as a permanent component of the outer member. 
     
     
         29 . The handguard assembly of  claim 21 , wherein an outer surface of the barrel nut comprises a taper such that the aft-most portion of the outer surface has a larger dimension than other portions of the outer surface. 
     
     
         30 . The handguard assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one alignment member is metallic and comprises a counterbored hole and a threaded hole. 
     
     
         31 . A free float handguard assembly for a firearm comprising:
 an outer member comprising a rear cavity;   a barrel nut disposed within the rear cavity; and   at least one alignment member disposed adjacent to the outer member, wherein:   the outer member comprises a threaded portion that is removably attached to the barrel nut.   
     
     
         32 . The free float handguard assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one alignment member contacts both the outer member and an upper receiver of the firearm for alignment. 
     
     
         33 . The free float handguard assembly of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the at least one alignment member comprises a left alignment member and a right alignment member; and   the left alignment member and the right alignment member are identical.   
     
     
         34 . The free float handguard assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the threaded portion comprises an insert that is a separate component from the outer member. 
     
     
         35 . The free float handguard assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the insert is metallic and outer member comprises a polymer material. 
     
     
         36 . The free float handguard assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the insert is overmolded as a permanent component of the outer member. 
     
     
         37 . The free float handguard assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the outer member comprises a polymer material. 
     
     
         38 . The free float handguard assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one alignment member comprises two alignment members. 
     
     
         39 . The free float handguard assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the two alignment members are connected to one another using a plurality of fasteners that pass through the outer member. 
     
     
         40 . The free float handguard assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one alignment member aligns the outer member relative to the firearm.