To Un-Rail a Free Floating AR-15

[HMMurdock]

I recently received a very nice Rock River Arms LAR-15 5.56x45mm Flat Top with free floating quad rail. It is beautiful.

However, I don't have the money or interest in adding gadgets to the rails. It is a free floating heavy barrel, so how difficult will it be to take off the rails and put another foregrip on it?

To further complicate things, it is one of RA's mid-length barrels so standard M4 or M16 length forends will not be the right size.

Any advice?

TRL

 

[Nightcrawler]

I'm sure somebody makes a mid-length free-float tube. This will be a round aluminum or carbon fiber handguard, sans any rails, that'll be lighter than the current setup. Moderator PvtPyle builds AR-15s for his gun shop, you might try PM-ing him and asking who makes the part you're looking for.

 

[Bridger]

The difficulty in taking it off depends on what make the rails are, there are a variety of attachment methods.

Why not just leave it on though and put some rail covers on it? You get the benefits of free floating, and one day if you want to experiment the rails are an option for you.

 

[HMMurdock]

I don't mind the weight but I hate having rails without them being used as well as I simply wouldnt mind a lighter rifle. PvtPyle never replied to my private message, so he's probably busy. Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[cheaptrick]

http://www.troyind.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=45
I have this one on my Middy.
I really like it.
Free floated, two piece, but ROCK solid.

 

[DMK]

To put standard handguards on it, you'll need a barrel nut, spring, c-clip, delta ring and the triangle handguard cap and well as the handguards themselves.

Or, you could swap on something like a aluminum or carbon fiber tube.

Either way, you'll need a receiver block and barrel wrench to remove the old rail and put the new parts on it.

I believe I have all the parts you need as well as the tools and know how to do it. I'll send you a PM.

 

[igor]

http://www.yankeehillmachine.com/store/forearms.html

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

There is the PRI Carbon Fiber tube that lets you put rails where you like them (or not put them as the case may be). Those are sold in mid-length versions.

I'd also be willing to bet that JP sells a midlength version of their competition float tube.

 

[cheaptrick]

Sorry.
I missed the "unrail" portion of your thread.
I thought you were looking for a midlength rail.