AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

[darkstar]

Looking at adding a free float forearm tube to my colt comp hbar with 20" barrel.

I would like to keep it at 12" or better and trying to keep it simple. Aside from the need for a sling mount and bipod I will not be mounting much else. I will be using the bipod "as needed" as I like to shoot with sling and offhand.

YHM makes a simple forearm (YHM9649) but it is not set up to accept modular accessory rails.

JP Enterprises (JPHG-6M) makes one that looks like it fits the bill, but at 3x the price of the YHM.

APEX2300 is in the upper price range, but looks interesting also.

Troy TRX 13" or 15" is in the upper price range and they look like they will do the job, but I will have to go with low profile gas block and mount front site on tube.

VTAC Extreme BattleRail 13". Same $$, block and site mount as with Troy.

Anyone out there have experience with any of these products or know of a more sensible product to look at?

Also looking for recommendations for gas blocks. If I am trying to get the most accuracy out of using my iron sights, does it make sense to get a gas block that the sight mounts to as opposed to mounting them on the float tube? I would be interested what you all think.

Thanks and Merry Christmas to ALL!
DS

 

[Longshot38]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

I run JPs VTAC system. I really like it. Simple, customizable, and light. Nothing not to like.

 

[darkstar]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Longshot38</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I run JPs VTAC system. I really like it. Simple, customizable, and light. Nothing not to like. </div></div>

Longshot38,
I hear ya. It is looking like a possibility. What gas block are you using?

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

got a good buddy runnin the VLTOR CASV series and swears by them

 

[Solid_Squirrel]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

I say get a steel/stainless steel gas block. Closer thermal expansion rate to the barrel.

 

[Longshot38]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Darkstar</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Longshot38</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I run JPs VTAC system. I really like it. Simple, customizable, and light. Nothing not to like. </div></div>

Longshot38,
I hear ya. It is looking like a possibility. What gas block are you using? </div></div>

JP low profile adjustable.

 

[darkstar]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VAJayJayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">got a good buddy runnin the VLTOR CASV series and swears by them</div></div>

They do look interesting. But I dont think they were designed to work on 20" barrel set ups.

 

[IanWRX]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

Samson Evolution Is a nice one

 

[BOL556]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

I will be putting the Troy 11" rail on my custom upper next week. My other rifle will have a YHM carbine length with a arms gas block/flip up sight. Also, running troy back ups on the custom upper.

 

[jakerz3]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

I'm a HUGE fan of the Samson Evo. Snug fit, super light and just the right width. Rails can be added wherever you want, and it comes with 3 picatinny pieces. I'm also running a Vltor gas block. Here is their 12" rail on my 18" rifle:

 

[Redcreek1]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

Darkstar,

As an AR builder, I have tried many different forearms and besides just looks, there are some functional differneces I have noticed. I have tried all those mentioned so far.

The ones I use on a regular basis are:

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Troy TRX Extreme 13" and 15"</span> The main benefits of these are simplicity, low weight, low cost, good ergonomics, modular and use the factory Colt barrel nut, which works with standard barrel nut wrenches and doesnt adversly affect accuracy (which many aftermarket barrel nuts do) Negatives are that they arent as rigid as some other options and the stock barrel nut inst the best solution for accuracy.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">JP JPHG-6M:</span> I use a lot of these. Same benefits as the Troy, but have a much better barrel nut setup, which I have experienced increased accuracy with. it also acts as a heat sink over the chamber area and they are more rigid than the Troy. Negatives are they weigh more and cost more.

<span style="text-decoration: underline">Superior Weapons System 14"</span>
http://www.superiorweaponssystems.com/ar15rifle14.htm
Art at Supperior makes, or was making, forarms for Noveske. While these are not modular, they are extemely light weight and high quaility. The proprietary barrle nut system give this setup great rigidity and accuracy potential and it also functions as a heat sink over the chamber. Negatives are they require the use of a proprietary barrel nut wrench and are not modular.

Many forearms i have tried were difficult to install, ruined accuracy, were over priced and had other problems.

I'm waiting to try Glen Seekins new modular monolithic system, which looks very promising.

Hope this helps.

-Ernie

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedCreek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Darkstar,

As an AR builder,

www.redcreektactical.com
</div></div>

If you're linking and discussing that you are a business, shouldn't your name be orange?

 

[Redcreek1]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedCreek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Darkstar,

As an AR builder,

www.redcreektactical.com
</div></div>

If you're linking and discussing that you are a business, shouldn't your name be orange? </div></div>

We dont sell component parts and were not offering either parts or services for sale; just the benefit to a forum member of our experience and the context from where that experience was derived. (Note the direct link to Supperior Weapons System)

If the mod wants me to remove my signature, no problem.

 

[darkstar]

Re: AR Forearm and Gas Block Help Required

RedCreek,
Happy New Year!
Thank you for the feedback based on your experience as a builder. I greatly appreciate it.

The fact that many aftermarket barrel nuts degrade accuracy is important information. After reading this and talking to others that have changed to some pretty slick looking rail systems, they did mention that their accuracy was not as good as before the mod. That does not work for me. I have a tight shooting rifle and no mod is worth loosing that.
The JPHG and jp gas block set up are looking like a solid system. Just not sure if the -1 or the -6 is the way to go. The Seekins system is lookin slick but I cant find a price up on their site.
Thanks again for your input.
DS