Met my needs - Guntec USA Ultra Lightweight Thin M-LOK System Free Floating Handguard w/ Monolithic Top Rail

In regards to the Guntec 4 inch model, it meets my minimum requirements as a barrel shroud. This handguard is being used in conjunction with a Faxon 4.5" 9mm bbl (AR9), to which the handgaurd was about 7/16" past the bbl muzzle. I ended up purchasing a KAK Micro Slimline (1.75in) Flash Can to remedy this. The Guntec handguard will pass on the over the the flash can, if you intend to swap muzzle devices. This handguard ships with 5 bbl nut shims for clocking the bbl nut, though I didn't need to use them. Some commenters have echoed some frustration with the (steel) bbl nut as far as wrenching is concerned, and I get it. The flats are kinda skinny, but 10" Proto L710 adjustable wrench was what I used. My Proto was at near maximum opening, just under 1¼, [31mm approx]. Don't let the wrench flat peculiarity be the deal breaker, because the handguard will conceal any wrenching blemishes occurring to the bbl nut. The rating star I shorted this handguard on involves a .020 gap that exists between the picatinny railing between the upper receiver and the handgaurd. I feeler gauged it, and it's a perfect .020" around the circumference of the assembly. Maybe Guntec intended this gap, IDK, but its there. I could get rid of it if I spent the time with a die grinder and trim back some of the extrusion stiffing ribs inside the handguard. Then file out the 6 screw hols in the handguard...not worth the trouble. I installed a AR Stoner Aluminum Micro Handstop on the belly of this handguard for safety reasons, and it fits great. Good price point, protects bbl, and protects my hands from hot bbl were/are my mission parameters on this handguard and were met. I think this 4" handguard is best used on pistol caliber builds involving bbl lengths of 4½-6". The only other 4 inch handguard available I would considering is twice the price, but twice as nice, by Rock River.