Manticore Arms
Manticore Arms AUG Cantilever Forend
Free-float aluminum forend with 37-slot Picatinny top rail and seven sides of M-LOK, the modern rail upgrade for the AUG A3 M1.
Quick Specs
- Price
- $260
- Weight
- 12.3 oz
- Brand
- Manticore Arms
- Category
- handguard
Features
- •6061-T6 aluminum, hardcoat anodized
- •37-slot Picatinny top rail
- •M-LOK on seven sides
- •Six-slot Picatinny side rail
- •Drop-in to AUG A3 M1 only, not 300 BLK gas block
Capability Boosts
Recommended For
+15 more
Compatibility Tags
Overview
The factory AUG A3 M1 handguard is short, has limited M-LOK real estate on the front, and does not free-float the barrel. The Manticore Arms AUG Cantilever Forend is the closest the AUG aftermarket gets to a modern AR free-float rail. Construction is 6061-T6 aluminum with a hardcoat anodized finish, and the cantilever profile keeps the top rail clear of the gas system so a low-mounted red dot or LPVO can sit further forward without contacting the receiver.
The top rail runs 37 Picatinny slots, which is enough to mount a magnified optic with a piggyback red dot or run a clip-on thermal forward of an LPVO. Seven sides of the forend carry M-LOK slots for lights, bipods, hand stops, and forward sling QDs, plus a six-slot Picatinny side rail for offset accessories. Removal for cleaning requires loosening four screws, and the gas system stays accessible for adjustment.
Fitment is exclusive to the AUG A3 M1. Standard AUG A3, AUG A2, MSAR receivers, and AUG 300 Blackout barrel gas blocks will not accept this forend. Verify your variant before ordering. The forend retails at $259.95 from Manticore Arms direct.
Key Features
- 37-slot Picatinny top rail in cantilever configuration
- M-LOK on seven sides of the forend
- Six-slot Picatinny side rail for offset accessories
- Free-floats the barrel
- Four-screw removal for cleaning, gas system stays accessible
- 6061-T6 aluminum, hardcoat anodized
- Drop-in to AUG A3 M1 only, not compatible with AUG 300 Blackout barrel gas block
Pros
- +Single largest optic and accessory upgrade for the AUG A3 M1
- +Cantilever top rail clears the gas system for forward optic placement
- +Seven M-LOK sides allow lights, lasers, bipods, and hand stops on a single rail
- +Free-floats the barrel for accuracy
- +Quality aluminum construction over the factory polymer handguard
Cons
- −AUG A3 M1 only, will not fit standard AUG A3, AUG A2, or MSAR
- −$247 is a real upgrade investment
- −Adds weight over the factory polymer handguard
- −Requires removing the factory handguard, longer install than drop-in controls
Detailed Specifications
- Material
- 6061-T6 aluminum
- finish
- Hardcoat anodize
- Top Rail
- 37-slot Picatinny, cantilever
- sideRail
- 6-slot Picatinny
- mlok
- Seven sides
- compatibility
- Steyr AUG A3 M1 only
- notCompatibleWith
- Standard AUG A3, AUG A2, all MSAR variants, AUG 300 Blackout barrel gas block
- sku
- MA-34500
- msrp
- $259.95
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Build Your Custom Configuration
Add the Manticore Arms AUG Cantilever Forend to your build and see how it enhances your platform.