Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
AR Sponsor
9/4/2007 10:00:18 AM EDT
Search came up empty, and I read most of the posts concerning weights, styles, installation and covers, but I have a noob question. What, if any, are the advantages of having a FF rail system, as opposed to a split rail fore end that fits into the existing fore end rings. I want to put a railed fore end on my bushy 20", but I'm trying to avoid the disassembly required of installing a FF end, so I'm leaning toward the railed forend kit that bush makes that will ift into the existing rings. What does it take to put a one piece FF on? Can I get one that does not require removal of the front sight post and block? Please educate me!

Thanks in advance.
9/4/2007 3:35:28 PM EDT
[#1]
The advantage to a FF forend is that pressure on the handguard, whether from your hands, a rest, a bipod, accessories hanging on it, etc, does not affect the barrel, and therefore does not cause variations in POI when you are shooting.

You can get 2-piece free float forends from Midwest Industries and Troy Industries that do not require the removal of the FSB.  They do require removal of the delta ring; most people just dremel it off.

A one-piece free float setup requires that you remove the flash suppressor, gas block/FSB/gas tube, and barrel nut (to replace with a different barrel nut).  This process requires a barrel wrench (best to have an AR multitool for FH removal too) and roll pin punch.

If you don't do a lot of shooting for perfect groups off a bipod, or don't shoot at long ranges, you probably have no need for a freefloat rig; that said, it can't hurt either.
9/4/2007 3:44:00 PM EDT
[#2]
FF rails are typically lighter, more durable and less complicated.  Your rifle was not designed to use a rail system; the FF rail represents the best engineering available to facilitate a conversion.
9/4/2007 4:23:03 PM EDT
[#3]
LINK to all AR building WiZdom
9/4/2007 4:25:05 PM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:
The advantage to a FF forend is that pressure on the handguard, whether from your hands, a rest, a bipod, accessories hanging on it, etc, does not affect the barrel, and therefore does not cause variations in POI when you are shooting.

You can get 2-piece free float forends from Midwest Industries and Troy Industries that do not require the removal of the FSB.  They do require removal of the delta ring; most people just dremel it off.

A one-piece free float setup requires that you remove the flash suppressor, gas block/FSB/gas tube, and barrel nut (to replace with a different barrel nut).  This process requires a barrel wrench (best to have an AR multitool for FH removal too) and roll pin punch.  (An action block and Vice are also recommended)

If you don't do a lot of shooting for perfect groups off a bipod, or don't shoot at long ranges, you probably have no need for a freefloat rig; that said, it can't hurt either.


Added a couple of tools that make it easier too.
9/4/2007 4:38:32 PM EDT
[#5]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The advantage to a FF forend is that pressure on the handguard, whether from your hands, a rest, a bipod, accessories hanging on it, etc, does not affect the barrel, and therefore does not cause variations in POI when you are shooting.

You can get 2-piece free float forends from Midwest Industries and Troy Industries that do not require the removal of the FSB.  They do require removal of the delta ring; most people just dremel it off.

A one-piece free float setup requires that you remove the flash suppressor, gas block/FSB/gas tube, and barrel nut (to replace with a different barrel nut).  This process requires a barrel wrench (best to have an AR multitool for FH removal too) and roll pin punch.  (An action block and Vice are also recommended)

If you don't do a lot of shooting for perfect groups off a bipod, or don't shoot at long ranges, you probably have no need for a freefloat rig; that said, it can't hurt either.


Added a couple of tools that make it easier too.


LOL whoops, I guess I take those for granted.

You'll want to have them too.
9/4/2007 4:47:23 PM EDT
[#6]
Humm............

Was it AR15barrels that showed almost no difference between FF barrels and non FF barrels.

I could be wrong about the source, but the data was VERY thought provoking.

ETA: or was it Molon?
9/4/2007 7:02:33 PM EDT
[#7]

Quoted:
Humm............

Was it AR15barrels that showed almost no difference between FF barrels and non FF barrels.

I could be wrong about the source, but the data was VERY thought provoking.

ETA: or was it Molon?


Molon had data to show that they did make a difference.
9/5/2007 7:31:18 AM EDT
[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Humm............

Was it AR15barrels that showed almost no difference between FF barrels and non FF barrels.

I could be wrong about the source, but the data was VERY thought provoking.

ETA: or was it Molon?


Molon had data to show that they did make a difference.


I think the difference was almost nothing, nothing that would matter in a combat carbine/rifle.
9/5/2007 7:40:29 AM EDT
[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Quoted:
Humm............

Was it AR15barrels that showed almost no difference between FF barrels and non FF barrels.

I could be wrong about the source, but the data was VERY thought provoking.

ETA: or was it Molon?


Molon had data to show that they did make a difference.


I think the difference was almost nothing, nothing that would matter in a combat carbine/rifle.


Well obviously a FF forend is for situations of shooting from a resting position

I can tell you I was quite pleased to have a FF tube on my SDM-R.  

If you have a combat rifle that is used for shooting significant ranges, then it's actually quite helpful, as you never know what uneven pressures are going to be on the system, from strange positioning to accessories.
9/5/2007 8:09:08 AM EDT
[#10]
The most significant advantages of a float rail are not accuracy related.
9/5/2007 8:53:38 AM EDT
[#11]

Quoted:
The most significant advantages of a float rail are not accuracy related.


I assume you are referring to heat dissapation and having a solid place to mount sensitive accessories.
9/5/2007 8:57:40 AM EDT
[#12]
Correct, as well as the fact that the LaRue rail, and I am inclined to believe the URX, though I don't have one, are both more durable than RAS.
AR Sponsor