forearm (firearm component)

{{Short description|Part of a gunstock between the receiver and muzzle}}

{{About|the firearm component|other uses|Forearm (disambiguation)}}

{{More citations needed|date=July 2024}}

File:A wood forearm of a Browning BLR.jpg]]

In firearms, the forearm (also known as the fore-end/forend, handguard or forestock) is a section of a gunstock between the receiver and the muzzle. It is used as a gripping surface to hold the gun steady and is usually made out of heat-insulating material such as wood or reinforced plastic. Near the front of the forearm there is often an underside sling swivel stud and sometimes also a barrel-band to secure the forearm to the barrel (as seen in the photo).{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Elmer |date=November 15, 1987|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yQwvAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Forearm%22+firearm+component&pg=PA23&article_id=1474,3068114 |title=Groups taking pot shots at NRA again |work=The Beaver County Times}}{{Cite web |last=Yablon |first=Alex |date=2017-10-16 |title=These Six Barely Legal Gun Products Are Still Widely Available |url=https://www.thetrace.org/2017/10/six-barely-legal-gun-products-are-still-widely-available-for-sale/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=The Trace}}

Some forearms are equipped with additional heat shields to protect the user from heat radiating from the barrel when the firearm is fired.