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By Cheesehead
Published: August 2005
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JUST MP5/MC51 Large Tactical Handguard Review
The Tokyo Marui MC51 is one of the more versatile AEG’s on the market, but its capabilities are hindered by its inability to accept large batteries. To solve this problem the user must either buy a solid stock or a handguard capable of holding a large battery. Aftermarket handguards are made by a few different companies, including: First Factory, Guarder, ICS and JUST; all of which are capable of holding a large battery, except for the Guarder one, which can only hold a large cell twin type battery. This review will focus on the JUST handguard.
Back Story
After converting my G3 into an MC51 using a Classic Army MC51 cocking tube and a plastic MC51 handguard, I soon got sick of the plastic flexing so much, and decided to buy a new handguard. After looking at all the different ones available, I decided to get something a bit more exciting than just a replacement of the original handguard. Being the cheapest of the group, the JUST Large RIS Handguard was my final choice, it was purchased from Airsoft Smith for only $42.99 USD. Thats less than the cost of a factory replacement handguard!
The Handguard Arrives
A few days after placing my order, I received the plain cardboard box that contained my new toy. Upon shaking the package I heard something inside rattling around. My first thought was that the UPS folks managed to break it in transit. My fear was soon relieved, when I opened the box to find the large to small battery adapter rattling around inside the handguard.
I proceeded to pull the handguard from its packaging, and was treated to the wonderful feeling of cold metal. The entire thing is one piece of cast aluminum.
Included in the plastic box is: the handguard, the retaining screw and post, and the battery adaptor.
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What you get.
After removing all the pieces from the packaging, it was time for an up-close inspection.
A few seam lines are visible around the left and right side RIS rails, but they don’t detract from the over all look of the handguard, nor are they visible from a distance of more than 2-3 feet.
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This seam line is on both sides of the handguard.
The handguard features 3 standard weaver rails, which will take all sorts of accessories from flashlights and vertical foregrips, to lasers and M203 grenade launchers.
The finish seems to be a baked on black paint, which has very little texture, but is very tough. It would have been nice if JUST used a textured finish like that of the stock plastic handguard.
In the center of the bottom rail, the text “0204-0010-003 For MARUI MP5 Mc51 Series” is cast onto the metal.
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Bottom rail.
On the inside bottom of the handguard, there is a small felt pad to keep the battery from getting scratched, or keep it from making a lot of noise. I’m not entirely sure which is its intended purpose, but it's there so I thought I should mention it.
The included handguard pin is not a pin at all, but a binding post and screw. I would have preferred it be a normal pushpin, as they have no threads to potentially strip, and don't require a screwdriver for removal.
The rear of the handguard has two tabs that protrude from the sides of the handguard towards its interior. These tabs allow the grip to be used on either the A series MP5 or the MC51. On an A series MP5, the tabs would rest on the cocking tube rail. On the MC51, these tabs are snapped off, and the handguard is friction fit around the upper receiver.
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The two, shiny spots across from eachother are where the tabs were.
Since this handguard is being used on an MC51, the tabs had to be removed. They snap off easily with a needle nose pliers, but they do not snap off cleanly, and some dremel work is required to smooth out the break.
Unlike a stock handguard, installation is not as simple as lining up the back end of the grip and then pinning the front. To get the handguard on, it is necessary to remove the front sight, and then slide the handguard into place. It takes quite a bit of force to get the grip to friction fit itself to the receiver, and if you push too hard it will slide too far on, and scrape up the gun past the area where it covers the receiver, leaving some nasty gashes in your paint job.
To put in a battery, first connect the adapter to the wires already there, then drop a battery into the handguard. I find that having the battery leads toward the front of the handguard works best. Now just slide the handguard on and screw in the pin.
Usage
As a normal handguard, the JUST Large RIS Handguard feels a bit weird at first, because you are grabbing the rails. This feeling soon subsides, and the added girth of the handguard feels nice and solid, unlike the flexible plastic handguard that comes with the gun.
If you use a sling, you may want to invest in some rail covers for the left side rail, as slings tend to catch on the front corners of the rail. This only happens if the sling has too much slack in it.
While I don’t have a vertical foregrip yet, I do have some scope mounts and other items with which to test the function of the rails, and they are indeed made to standard weaver rail specifications.
Conclusion
For the money, the JUST Large RIS handguard is one heck of a deal, and anyone looking to up his or her play time without breaking the bank should definitley consider it.
Pros:
- Solid metal
- Three rails
- Holds a large Battery
- Can be had for $43 USD
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Must remove front site to install/change battery
- Can catch slings
- Can scratch your gun during install/battery change
| Left: JUST Large RIS Handguard on Sliding Stock MC51.
Right: JUST Large RIS Handguard with battery in it, it works better if you flip the battery around the other way. |
| Left: JUST Large RIS Handguard on Solid Stock MC51.
Right: A close up of the JUST Large RIS Handguard. |
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