A self-loading rifle comprising: an upper receiver defining a bolt passage, a bolt operable to reciprocate in the passage motivated by energy from discharge of the rifle, and a barrel extending from the upper receiver. The lower receiver is connected to the upper receiver and contains a trigger group and has a forwardly-extending support below the barrel, a tubular handguard encompassing at least a rear portion of the barrel, and is connected to the forwardly-extending support. The self-loading rifle of claim