Lower receiver mounted handguard

Abstract

In various aspects, an assembly includes a firearm lower receiver that defines a magazine well and comprises an attachment feature positioned forward of the magazine well. An extension mount may be engaged with the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver. The extension mount may be monolithic with or configured to be coupled to a firearm handguard.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly comprising:
 a firearm lower receiver defining a magazine well and comprising an attachment feature positioned forward of the magazine well; and   an extension mount that is engaged with the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver, wherein the extension mount is monolithic with or configured to be coupled to a firearm handguard.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver is a lug. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the lug has a cuboid shape. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the extension mount defines a channel that is configured to engage with the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver is configured to engage with a corresponding attachment feature of the extension mount,   the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver defines a hole,   the corresponding attachment feature of the extension mount defines a hole, and   the assembly comprises a fastener that extends through the hole of the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver and the corresponding attachment feature of the extension mount.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the extension mount defines a hole that is configured to receive a fastener to couple the extension mount with the firearm handguard. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the extension mount is monolithic with the firearm handguard. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the extension mount is welded to the firearm handguard and a welding seam couples the firearm handguard with the extension mount. 
     
     
         9 . A firearm comprising:
 a firearm upper receiver;   a barrel coupled to the firearm upper receiver;   a firearm lower receiver coupled to the firearm upper receiver, the firearm lower receiver defining a magazine well and comprising an attachment feature positioned forward of the magazine well;   an extension mount that is engaged with the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver; and   a firearm handguard coupled to or monolithic with the extension mount,   wherein the extension mount rigidly connects the firearm handguard and the firearm lower receiver.   
     
     
         10 . The firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the firearm handguard is only coupled to the firearm upper receiver through the firearm lower receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the firearm handguard abuts the firearm upper receiver. 
     
     
         12 . The firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the firearm further comprises a barrel nut configured to couple the barrel to the firearm upper receiver, wherein a first gap is defined between portions of the barrel nut that longitudinally align with the firearm handguard, wherein the first gap is at least 0.01 inch. 
     
     
         13 . The firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the firearm further comprises a barrel nut configured to couple the barrel to the firearm upper receiver, wherein a second gap is defined between portions of the firearm handguard that circumferentially surround the barrel nut, wherein the second gap is at least 0.01 inch. 
     
     
         14 . The firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the firearm handguard is coupled to the extension mount. 
     
     
         15 . The firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the firearm handguard is monolithic with the extension mount. 
     
     
         16 . The firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver is a lug. 
     
     
         17 . The firearm of  claim 16 , wherein the lug has a cuboid shape. 
     
     
         18 . The firearm of  claim 9 , wherein the extension mount defines a channel that is configured to engage with the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver. 
     
     
         19 . The firearm of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver is configured to engage with a corresponding attachment feature of the extension mount,   the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver defines a hole,   the corresponding attachment feature of the extension mount defines a hole, and   the firearm comprises a fastener that extends through the hole of the attachment feature of the firearm lower receiver and the corresponding attachment feature of the extension mount.   
     
     
         20 . A firearm comprising:
 an upper receiver;   a barrel coupled to the upper receiver;   a lower receiver coupled to the upper receiver, the lower receiver comprising a portion that defines a magazine well;   an extension mount positioned forward of and removably coupled to the portion of the lower receiver that defines the magazine well, wherein the extension mount is coupled to or monolithic with a handguard of the firearm; and   a means for coupling the extension mount to the lower receiver.