Patent ID: 8464457

Claim:
A handguard system for use on a firearm having a receiver, a barrel and a barrel nut affixing the barrel to the receiver, the barrel nut having radially outwardly directed tines spaced about an outer periphery thereof, the handguard system comprising: a tubular body having a rearward end, a forward end and an inner surface, the tubular body receivable over the barrel of a firearm with the rearward end receivable over the barrel nut; a plurality of longitudinal grooves separated by lands forming the inner surface of the tubular body and extending longitudinally from the rearward end toward the forward end, the plurality of longitudinal grooves being spaced apart around the periphery of the inner surface so as to correspond with the tines on the barrel nut; the lands are traversed by a first circumferentially extending groove formed forward from the rearward end of the tubular body so as to receive the tines of the barrel nut therein, and a second circumferentially extending groove spaced forwardly to and parallel with the first circumferentially extending groove; and a clamp element having a body with a beveled end and a heel extending substantially perpendicularly from an opposing end of the body, adjustably positioned within the tubular body with the heel extending radially outwardly and received in the second groove.