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Posted: 2/18/2015 9:41:05 AM EDT
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After browsing around a bit, I didn't see the answer to this question; so, I apologize if it has been discussed in other threads. Feel free to point me to them if you wish. My question concerns the barrel nuts that are used with the free float systems. Is there any interchangability between different brands or does each brand have their own somewhat proprietary version? The reason that I ask is that I am looking at uppers and see quite a few with shorter free-floats in the 18" barrels and was wondering about swapping one out to a longer free-float. For example, if an upper has a 10" and I would like to swap it to a 15". I'm assuming that each brand is probably different, but am not certain. Although it is not a problem to swap, I was wondering if purchase of a vise block and barrel wrench would be in order to swap handguards. |
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Quoted: After browsing around a bit, I didn't see the answer to this question; so, I apologize if it has been discussed in other threads. Feel free to point me to them if you wish. My question concerns the barrel nuts that are used with the free float systems. Is there any interchangability between different brands or does each brand have their own somewhat proprietary version? The reason that I ask is that I am looking at uppers and see quite a few with shorter free-floats in the 18" barrels and was wondering about swapping one out to a longer free-float. For example, if an upper has a 10" and I would like to swap it to a 15". I'm assuming that each brand is probably different, but am not certain. Although it is not a problem to swap, I was wondering if purchase of a vise block and barrel wrench would be in order to swap handguards. Some FF brands use the standard barrel nut like Centurion while others will use their own design. You shouldn't have an issue swapping among lengths of 1 particular style rail. If you plan on doing a bunch of work yourself I'd definitely look at investing in some tools. |
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The answer is it depends. While some systems use a GI style barrel nut, others have proprietary nuts, and some companies make rails for other companies, so even though they have a different name, the parts are the same.
It really does not matter, because when you buy a rail, it is going to come with its own barrel nut. Even if you happen to find a rail with no barrel nut, nobody is going to want your take-off without a barrel nut and other parts. Buy what you want. If it fits and the holes are configured the same, you can use the parts that are already installed and include the new hardware with your used rail when you sell it. |
The one of the left requires a proprietary barrel nut, which means you will have to remove everything. The one on the right uses the GI nut so I was able to cut the delta ring off with a dremel and use a bench grinder to shave the FSB down while it was still on the barrel. |
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