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Posted: 3/6/2005 7:01:01 AM EDT
| I have a Free Float Tube(no rails) on my barrel right now and want to replace it with a Free Float Tube w/rails. Is there much involved in this, or is it a siple remove and replace. Any special tools needed?? |
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Hoplophile, what is the technique involved with removing the free float? I have seen plenty of references to the standard handguard, but the manual doesn't cover the free float. I didn't get into it with the Bushmaster guy past his suggestion to use a strap wrench. I assume you attach the wrench and put some big ass on it, but wouldn't want to crank it too hard without some accurate instructions. Don't know I'll even have to do this, but would like to have the procedure filed away. Thanks. What the heck is a hoplophile? |
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The tube should be a two piece tube. Look for a seem about 1.5 - 2 inches from the rear of the tube. Use the strap wrench to remove the front section. Once you've got that off you can use a barrel wrench to remove the barrel nut as normal. Once you get it off you'll reinstall the barrel nut that came with your new railed handguards, tighten it to spec and install the new railed float tube onto the new barrel nut. There are some free float tubes that are a single large piece and those will require a strap wrench but they are much less common because they less convenient to install adn remove and less convenient to manufacture. |
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| Heck, I'm a hoplophile too and didn't know it! My Varmint Special handguard look SORT of like the ones in the Bushmaster catalog. 12 slits, etc. However, it is totally smooth the entire length- the ones in the catalog and on the web site seem to have some depressions on the rear end. I have a ring that is checkered on the edge at the rear of the handguard. About a quarter of an inch wide, seems to be a separate part. I would think that is the locking nut. I may get a strap wrench this weekend and do some very judicious tinkering. Maybe. Thanks for the input. |
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