I decided I wanted to free float my barrel. I have a carbine setup atm. To do that I would need a free float hand guard from Troy, DD, yhm ect. As for the gas block I would need a new gas block and a front sight that eather folds or is about to screw on to the gas block. I am not going to be able to have the gas block and front sight be one unit like it is now. Does this all sound correct? My friend has a DD rail that is bolted onto the receiver to free float it. Is installing this new rail going to be something I can do? thx.
Free floating AR15
- Thread starter Buckeye Scott
- Start date
Re: Free floating AR15
With the proper tools, installing a free-float handguard is a job that can be done at home, BUT ONLY WITH THE PROPER TOOLS!
The tools you will need are dependent on which handguard you select as some require their own specialty wrenches, etc., however, you will at a minimum need a good action block/receiver block, armorers wrench, punches, and a vise.
As for your front sight tower/post, again it all depends on what you want. There are free-float handguards that will not interfere with or cause you to have to eliminate the front sight post/gas block with a low-profile or railed gas block. Daniel Defense makes several different handguards with relief for the front sight tower. Again, it all depends on what you want/need from the rifle.
With the proper tools, installing a free-float handguard is a job that can be done at home, BUT ONLY WITH THE PROPER TOOLS!
The tools you will need are dependent on which handguard you select as some require their own specialty wrenches, etc., however, you will at a minimum need a good action block/receiver block, armorers wrench, punches, and a vise.
As for your front sight tower/post, again it all depends on what you want. There are free-float handguards that will not interfere with or cause you to have to eliminate the front sight post/gas block with a low-profile or railed gas block. Daniel Defense makes several different handguards with relief for the front sight tower. Again, it all depends on what you want/need from the rifle.
Re: Free floating AR15
ive floated ar's before but never for free. i takes a premium child's arm floaty and ties it one on the back and one on the holy end of the carbine and blow them up all snug and sich. this way in the water yer spendy carbine dont sink in the drink. also makes fer some perty stable shootin at the surface between them breakers in semi ruff surf. werks with any sight block.
ive floated ar's before but never for free. i takes a premium child's arm floaty and ties it one on the back and one on the holy end of the carbine and blow them up all snug and sich. this way in the water yer spendy carbine dont sink in the drink. also makes fer some perty stable shootin at the surface between them breakers in semi ruff surf. werks with any sight block.
Re: Free floating AR15
If you were to get a 7 inch rail you would should be able to keep your current front sight post/ gas block. You can also get a free floating rail that has a cutout for your front sight post. The simplest solution would probably be a Troy MRF rail; with that rail you can remove the delta ring and spring and bolt the rail to your existing barrel nut. They also have a 12 inch rail with the cutout.
If you were to get a 7 inch rail you would should be able to keep your current front sight post/ gas block. You can also get a free floating rail that has a cutout for your front sight post. The simplest solution would probably be a Troy MRF rail; with that rail you can remove the delta ring and spring and bolt the rail to your existing barrel nut. They also have a 12 inch rail with the cutout.
Re: Free floating AR15
If you can use your existing front sight depends on what lenght handguard you plan on using. If you have a carbine 16" with a carbine gas system, you should be able to put a carbine FF tube on (need a AR barrel wrench and upper reciever block to put in your vice.. also needed)and still be able to use your front sight/gas block. That said you will have to remove the front sight/gas block to take off your existing handguards and delta ring and then put on the FF tube and barrel nut that should be supplied with the handguard.
If you decide to go with a longer than carbine lenght FF handguard you can either buy a new low-profile gas block, or (do what I do) and just get a grinder and grind off the top of the sight and "make" a low-profile gas block out of your existing front sight/gas block. Little black spray paint and all good. Saves ya a few bucks and you alreay know it fits/works. Then you can add aftermarket front sight if you want/need one.
It's all a piece of cake. Here are the tools (other options are available but what I have had for years):
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=...Product/AR_15_M16_UPPER_RECEIVER_ACTION_BLOCK
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=...oduct/AR_15_M16_AR_STYLE__308_ARMORERS_WRENCH
If you can use your existing front sight depends on what lenght handguard you plan on using. If you have a carbine 16" with a carbine gas system, you should be able to put a carbine FF tube on (need a AR barrel wrench and upper reciever block to put in your vice.. also needed)and still be able to use your front sight/gas block. That said you will have to remove the front sight/gas block to take off your existing handguards and delta ring and then put on the FF tube and barrel nut that should be supplied with the handguard.
If you decide to go with a longer than carbine lenght FF handguard you can either buy a new low-profile gas block, or (do what I do) and just get a grinder and grind off the top of the sight and "make" a low-profile gas block out of your existing front sight/gas block. Little black spray paint and all good. Saves ya a few bucks and you alreay know it fits/works. Then you can add aftermarket front sight if you want/need one.
It's all a piece of cake. Here are the tools (other options are available but what I have had for years):
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=...Product/AR_15_M16_UPPER_RECEIVER_ACTION_BLOCK
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=...oduct/AR_15_M16_AR_STYLE__308_ARMORERS_WRENCH
Re: Free floating AR15
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mar2012</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ive floated ar's before but never for free. i takes a premium child's arm floaty and ties it one on the back and one on the holy end of the carbine and blow them up all snug and sich. this way in the water yer spendy carbine dont sink in the drink. also makes fer some perty stable shootin at the surface between them breakers in semi ruff surf. werks with any sight block. </div></div>
Two "floaties" for an HBar setup...j/k. Seriously, once you decide which rail your going with hit me up on a PM if you need help.
Matt
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mar2012</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ive floated ar's before but never for free. i takes a premium child's arm floaty and ties it one on the back and one on the holy end of the carbine and blow them up all snug and sich. this way in the water yer spendy carbine dont sink in the drink. also makes fer some perty stable shootin at the surface between them breakers in semi ruff surf. werks with any sight block. </div></div>
Two "floaties" for an HBar setup...j/k. Seriously, once you decide which rail your going with hit me up on a PM if you need help.
Matt
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