Modular fore-end rail/hand guard assembly system for firearms with selectable heat dissipation characteristics

摘要

A modular fore-end rail assembly for mounting onto a firearm includes a hand guard and a bushing element that combines with an end portion of the hand guard to encircle the standard barrel nut, thereby supporting the entire assembly without requiring modification to the standard barrel nut. The thermal transfer characteristics of the material from which the bushing element is manufactured may be selected to either increase or decrease the rate at which heat is transferred from the barrel nut to the hand guard allowing for rapid changes of bushing elements and, therefore, rapid and selective changes in the heating rate of the hand guard.