• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Gunsmithing AR15--accuracy difference on reciever\handguard interface

CST

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 31, 2002
353
6
Md
Do you guys think having a receiver like the Mega MKM or Seekins where the handguard is mounted directly to the receiver is more accurate compared to the traditional upper with the handguard mated to the barrel nut?
 
Nope. I took the same barrel and mounted it in several systems including a Seekins and a conventional, with several different torque levels. I did not install a gas system in any of the assemblies. There was no measurable difference at 100* and 300* yards given the same installation procedure. I did find accuracy differences based on installation methods and torque levels though. If you wanted to sit on the receiver while you shoot, the Seekins at least results in less POI shift, but still no actual accuracy difference.

*The 100 yards was in a tube, the 300 was outside.
 
Nope. I took the same barrel and mounted it in several systems including a Seekins and a conventional, with several different torque levels. I did not install a gas system in any of the assemblies. There was no measurable difference at 100* and 300* yards given the same installation procedure. I did find accuracy differences based on installation methods and torque levels though. If you wanted to sit on the receiver while you shoot, the Seekins at least results in less POI shift, but still no actual accuracy difference.

*The 100 yards was in a tube, the 300 was outside.


So what torque levels promote accuracy...lower or higher tightness....also...couldnt loading the bipod effect the poi?
 
So what torque levels promote accuracy...lower or higher tightness....also...couldnt loading the bipod effect the poi?

Flexing the receiver to affect POI with a FFT by loading the bi-pod must take a whole lot more force than I can apply. It is not just torque, but installation procedure as well. I really like to see a minimum of 50 ft-pounds, but going over 85 is not a scary thing to me. Small differences, but measurable. I've taken more than one M4gery apart, cleaned up the threads, reinstalled and eliminated some wander.
 
OK, how bout another question.
Are they more repeatable as far as keeping zero?
I remember a famous Nam era sniper saying he would rather have a so-so shooting rifle that held zero than a more accurate rifle that did not.
 
bringing this back up...if there is no accuracy difference between a 2 piece setup and a monolithic build...then what advanatages do yoiu have with a 1 piece setup? I figure having a monolithic would make it closer to being "true freefloat" but from an engineering stand point since everything is on the barrel nut ..it makes no difference in terms of accuracy....? so its all about the cool factor when gAP and Larue, seekins MEGA all have their builds on 1 piece platforms......just trying to justify going to a 1 piece thats all
 
Metal wears.

Once you've fired an M16 enough you may find stress fracture cracks around where the cam pin locks into the upper and where it drags when the carrier moves to the rear. With a GI rifle you replace the upper. With a monolithic you do the same thing, but the entire upper group (unitized receiver and rail) has to go.

Since they're purely commercial gimmick items they're usually never abused by generations of Soldiers who treat them like a neighbor's lawn mower, thus not racking up the same round counts.
 
makes sense...your right,,,most wont get abused but todays billet reciever are built thicker and stronger...i know everything will wear out but.......

My main concern about this topic is that i want to squeeze out every bit of accuracy out of a SPR precision build and wonder if a monolithic setup would truly make a difference or not vs a traditional 2 piece...
 
I think that if there were an accuracy advantage to a certain system, you'd only see that one system on the firing line in competitions.
 
Only after I have the best barrel, tuned gas system, trigger, stock, muzzle brake, optic, optic mount and gunsmith would I worry about how the fft is attached. What barrel are you going with?
 
Last edited:
im getting a Lilja...either get the mega MKM or go with a billet upper with Geissele or something ....