The Hardened Arms LumaShark Handguard eliminates two problems that often plague AR-15 owners, the first is finding a quality hand guard and the second is finding a quality light that meshes well with the hand guard. The Hardened Arms company of Friday Harbor, Washington had the new rail on display in the NEXT section of SHOT Show 2017. The NEXT Gallery at the show gives manufactures the perfect place to display their latest and greatest plans for 2017. It’s an interesting idea that I don’t think I have ever seen attempted, especially by a relatively small company in terms of firearms manufacturers. We don’t know much about this light set up but what we do know so far is pretty intriguing to many of us. Let’s take a look at the facts we do know.
Name: LumaShark Handguard
Manufacturer: Hardened Arms
Place of Manufacture: Friday Harbor, Washington
Material: Anodized T-6061 Aluminum
Number of LED’s: 2
Brand of LED’s: CREE
Lumen Output Per LED: 1150 Lumens each
Water Resistant: 60 Feet
Length: 12″
Weight: 18 oz Empty
Battery Type: CR123
Extras: Includes proprietary barrel nut and mounting accessories
Price: MSRP $399.99
Activation Method: Push buttons or pressure pads
Future Model Info:
- Future models to have interchangeable light heads to include Infra Red capabilities
The Hardened Arms LumaShark is pretty interesting in the grand scheme of AR-15 accessories and rails. Here we have a smaller Washington based company that does something that I’m sure a lot of people have talked about when out at the range with their friends. The old “wouldn’t it be great” or “Someone really should..” conversation but they really did do something about it. The rail was brand new at SHOT Show 2017 and has been making some noise in the AR-15 world. We are working on trying to find a model to get our hands on and try it out. There have been some in the industry that have speculated that the rail might be too heavy or awkward.
Just when you think a particular market share has been used up and no possible new technology or though processes on a topic could come out, someone will always toss a curve ball into the works, and that is what we have here with Hardened Arms. We are told that this rail should be on the market very soon, if it’s not already by the time this article posts. There have been a few companies that are advertising uppers built with the Hardened Arms LumaShark rail and barrel system already installed. In fact SlickGuns.Com has this model for sale on their web site complete for $829, thats for a complete 16″ upper. I know some people maybe saying that the LumaShark is too expensive but price out your favorite rail and lights with 1300+ Lumens and you will see it’s not a bad deal.
What do you think of the Hardened Arms LumaShark ? Is it cashing in on a fad in the gun industry or do you think it has a viable place in the spectrum of AR-15 rail systems? I’m not sure about it, but to be fair I am rarely sure about any firearms related accessory or object until I hold it in my own two hands. We here at The Arms Guide will be reaching out very soon to the folks at Hardened Arms so we can get one of these LumaShark rails into the hands of one of our writers so we can get you the straight scoop on things.
Just because SHOT Show 2017 is in the books doesn’t mean things around here slow down, if you know about a piece of gear that you want to know about, simply drop us a line in the comments section below and we will get right on it. The Arms Guide is also looking for writers, so if you read these articles and think you have a point of view we want to hear about, shoot us an email. Military Experience is not required, just a desire to be part of a team and try your best.
Rick
Featured Image Courtesy: TheTruthAboutGuns.Com
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