AR tubes/handguards...

[RP88]

so, I'm beginning the planning for a budget build for an AR. I plan on putting a del-ton kit on a DPMS lower once I'm set with the money to do it. I'll probably go with the flat-top M4 kit.

The one part that I cannot decide on is the tube/handguard. there are two-railed handguards, one-piece, two-piece, free-float tubes, 4-railed free-floats, etc etc. etc.

I've heard that free-float tubes help with accuracy, but no one has told me how significant that difference is compared to your nonfree-float handguards. What is the difference? Is it negligible? Or does it add more to the rifle than I think?

thanks in advance.

 

[mathecb]

Well since you're going with the M4 kit, Im guessing you wont be putting high powered optics on top. My custom build has an EOTech with the KAC M4 RAS. Its not free float but is very strong and easy to take on and off. I can still shoot 3" groups with no magnification. Im sure the rifle could do better. The free float will get you from shooting 1.5-2 inch groups to sub MOA (if a good barrel). With a chrome lined M4 barrel, free float rails aren't going to make a noticeable difference to the average and maybe above average shooter. It really depends on how you want your rifle to look. If you are worried about good accuracy out past 100yds you might want to go FF.

 

[JWarren]

I did a Del-ton M4 kit as well. I just went ahead and had them install the YHM 4 rail FF forearm on mine and I couldn't be happier.

I did the rifle-length rail and used a low-profile gas block for the "Spectre" profile. It gives me the iron sight radius of a full-sized rifle in a carbine size.


-- John

 

[taliv]

edit: if you put a sling on it or a vertical foregrip and put a lot of pressure on either (which is how you're supposed to use them) you will significantly change the POI. significant enough to miss a human-sized target at 10'? no. but more than 2 MOA.

 

[ocabj]

Here's a photo of front end of a Compass Lake "National Match" free float tube:

Note the sling swivel is on the tube, and not the front sight base. Also note how there is plenty of 'float' space between the tube and the barrel. Pressure exerted on the sling to the sling swivel will put tension on the tube itself, but not the barrel.

Here's a photo after the front sight base is slid onto the barrel (and held in place by the set screws, and in some respect the gas tube and gas tube roll pin):

 

[RP88]

well, I'm not gonna ever be a match shooter or a golf ball sniper, so a free-float apparently won't be on my necessary parts list. But, it isnt something that I'll neglect if it would help out an average shooter.

However, I do have a dumb question: do the standard CAR guards/tubes take vertical grips? The only real attachment that I'd plan to put on the forend of the thing would be a simple vert. grip, if anything - since I don't plan to be kicking down any doors or using the internet on it, I wouldnt really need a quad-rail forend for too many goodies.

 

[JWarren]

However, I do have a dumb question: do the standard CAR guards/tubes take vertical grips? The only real attachment that I'd plan to put on the forend of the thing would be a simple vert. grip, if anything - since I don't plan to be kicking down any doors or using the internet on it, I wouldnt really need a quad-rail forend for too many goodies.

You can add a lower rail to CAR forearms to get your vertical foregrip.

However, if I were planning on putting anything up front, I'd go for railed FF tubes. Mine is rock solid and gives a lot of options.

The only things that I ever intended to hang off of rails was a vertical grip and a flashlight on occassion. Don't neglect the value of a weapon mounted light if you ever have to check on what bumps in the night.


Living out in the woods, I have to do it regularly. And even so, I still haven't managed to stop the deer from stripping ALL the new growth from one of my Sawtooth oaks that I planted last year.... grrrr....


-- John

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

In my experience, adding a free float tube to an AR is good for about a 0.5" improvement in group size at 100yds (5rd groups).

 

[Onmilo]

Somebody needs to come up with a good Carbon Fibre float tube with two four inch sections of rail at the front end of the tube, top and bottom, and two sections of 4" rail on the sides half way down the tube.
Sell it for about $150.00 retail.

Problem would be getting everything to index correctly without a gunsmith or machinist turning the tube to fit.

Precision Reflex Incorporated produces an excellent C.F. float tube but man is it ever pricey!

I have a Badger Ordnance aluminum trapizoidal float tube on a 16" Heavy barrel rifle and man is it ever heavy!

 

[highorder]

On the topic, (and I apologize for the minor thread-jack) I need a solution to mount a flashlight and sling on a non-floated Midlength. I don't want to change the CavArms C6 handguards that I have, so I need other options. Most of them seem to attach to the barrel or front sight, which seems like a VERY WARM option...

Thoughts?

 

[Soybomb]

On the topic, (and I apologize for the minor thread-jack) I need a solution to mount a flashlight and sling on a non-floated Midlength. I don't want to change the CavArms C6 handguards that I have, so I need other options. Most of them seem to attach to the barrel or front sight, which seems like a VERY WARM option...

Thoughts?

I use a sling/rail combo unit that mounts on the fsb from GGG and like it.

 

[RooK]

RP88, I'm one step ahead of you. I've got a Delton M4 kit on a DPMS lower. I've since painted it, cut the front sight for a free-float tube (I'm going YHM lightweight rifle-length rails) to fit over, and optioned for a decent red dot. After I get the rails, I'm going to throw some irons on it.

The main reason I'm going with a rifle-length rail is sight radius. I would have went dissipator-styled and still can, but I want the advantages of free floating as well. If I had the cash, I'd just plop down for a PRI carbon fiber rifle-length handguard.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

On the topic, (and I apologize for the minor thread-jack) I need a solution to mount a flashlight and sling on a non-floated Midlength.

On my regular midlength, I use the regular front sling mount and an SOtech Universal Light Buckle for the flashlight ($13).