Systems and methods for providing a hand guard and accessory mounting device for a firearm

A hand guard and accessory mounting device for a firearm, the firearm comprising a barrel and an attachment portion, the attachment portion comprising threads, the device comprising:

• a barrel nut adapted to mount the barrel to the attachment portion of the firearm;
• a bolt up plate sized and shaped to mount concentrically about the attachment portion of the firearm immediately adjacent to the threads such that when the barrel nut is mounted to the attachment portion, the bolt up plate completely encircles the attachment portion and is captured between the barrel nut and the firearm;
• at least one hand guard adapted to mount to a portion of the bolt up plate, wherein the at least one hand guard is substantially concentric with a portion of the barrel;
• and
• at least one mounting device adapted to mount to the at least one hand guard, wherein the mounting device is further adapted to receive at least one firearm accessory.

An apparatus for a firearm, the firearm comprising a barrel and an attachment portion, the attachment portion comprising threads, the apparatus comprising:

• a barrel nut adapted to mount to the barrel to the attachment portion of the firearm;
• a bolt up plate sized and shaped to mount concentrically about the attachment portion of the firearm immediately adjacent to the threads such that when the barrel nut is mounted to the attachment portion, the bolt up plate completely encircles the attachment portion and is captured between the barrel nut and the firearm;
• and
• at least one hand guard adapted to mount to a portion of the bolt up plate, wherein the at least one hand guard is substantially concentric with a portion of the barrel.