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Posted: 1/6/2012 8:02:11 AM EDT
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Hey guys, I'm thinking about replacing the handguard on my S&W M&P 15OR model. I'm not looking for anything fancy. I go to the range 10-15 times a year on a good year.
I've found a step-by-step online at another site using a delta ring removal tool. I get kinda confused and have a couple questions about the procedure of changing out the handguard. I keep reading about 'free float' and 'drop in' handguards etc. Anyone mind explaing the difference to me in regard to different styles of handguards? The procedure I've seen replaces the stock on the S&W with a Magpul MOE that has the screw in rails. To me it looks like he pushes the delta ring down, pops the old handguard out, puts the two halves of the new hanguard together, and that's it... When I see another one like the Primary Arms drop in handguard, it appears you screw the two halves together and put it around the barrel. I guess my n00bie question is... what keeps the handguard from rotating around the barrel, is there slits or notches that the hanguard slides into that keeps it from rotating around the barrel? Anyway, just kinda looking for information regarding all of this. Please don't bash at me, I've read quite a bit online, but at this point the information is kind of getting mixed together in my head. Maybe I should just go for it. P.S. Anyone against the PA quad rail system they have? |
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Your standard handguard is attached at the delta ring and again at the forward end by a handguard cap. This means that the handguard can possibly influence your point of impact (POI) if you grasp the handguard too tightly while shooting. For example, right hand shooters generally will pull their handguards and therefore their barrel to the left slightly. This can be avoided by being attentive to how you place your hand on the handguards. Likewise, standard handguards can influence your POI if you push it against a barricade or a rest while shooting. Free float handguards on the other hand are attached to your weapon at only one point...at the upper receiver. This is done by various means, usually a barrel nut of some sort some of which are proprietary. If you free float your barrel you can then rest your handguards against a barricade, pull a sling as tight at you want (assuming it's attached to the handguard and not the barrel) or grip the handguard as tight as you want and not have a negative influence on your POI.
The MOE handguard is basically a tricked out standard handguard. It's a good one and I have used several of them on my rifles. If you're on a budget you can't beat the price. You can attach rails, sling swivels or QD sockets just about anywhere on the handguard. Drop in refers to a rail or handguard that installs using the existing delta ring and handguard cap. They are usually non free float and have all the characteristics of a standard handguard. There are exceptions, the Daniel Defense Omega rails assemble like a drop in rail but are free float. There are others like this as well. I have no experience with the PA quad rail. Generally installing a free float rail can be kind of costly. If you want to keep the cost down, I would go with the MOE and add some rail sections. Despite all I wrote about influencing your POI, it's not that big of a deal unless you're competing or using your rifle as a precision weapon system. For a general use carbine for the range or home defense, a standard handguard works just fine. The military has been using standard handguards since forever and it hasn't hurt them any. |
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Quoted:
Your standard handguard is attached at the delta ring and again at the forward end by a handguard cap. This means that the handguard can possibly influence your point of impact (POI) if you grasp the handguard too tightly while shooting. For example, right hand shooters generally will pull their handguards and therefore their barrel to the left slightly. This can be avoided by being attentive to how you place your hand on the handguards. Likewise, standard handguards can influence your POI if you push it against a barricade or a rest while shooting. Free float handguards on the other hand are attached to your weapon at only one point...at the upper receiver. This is done by various means, usually a barrel nut of some sort some of which are proprietary. If you free float your barrel you can then rest your handguards against a barricade, pull a sling as tight at you want (assuming it's attached to the handguard and not the barrel) or grip the handguard as tight as you want and not have a negative influence on your POI. The MOE handguard is basically a tricked out standard handguard. It's a good one and I have used several of them on my rifles. If you're on a budget you can't beat the price. You can attach rails, sling swivels or QD sockets just about anywhere on the handguard. Drop in refers to a rail or handguard that installs using the existing delta ring and handguard cap. They are usually non free float and have all the characteristics of a standard handguard. There are exceptions, the Daniel Defense Omega rails assemble like a drop in rail but are free float. There are others like this as well. I have no experience with the PA quad rail. Generally installing a free float rail can be kind of costly. If you want to keep the cost down, I would go with the MOE and add some rail sections. Despite all I wrote about influencing your POI, it's not that big of a deal unless you're competing or using your rifle as a precision weapon system. For a general use carbine for the range or home defense, a standard handguard works just fine. The military has been using standard handguards since forever and it hasn't hurt them any. Thank you for taking the time to reply. Your post cleared the air on a couple points that were fuzzy to me. I think I'll end up going with the MOE. I go to the range 10-15 times a year and tinker around. So this should suffice for my needs. Thanks again! |
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Took this photo a few days ago for another thread.
This shows how the front end of the Magpul MOE handguard will fit into your existing endcap. The endcap will be somewhat hidden because the HG extends out past it . . . 
You can also see how the rail accessories will attach to the HG. Changing to the MOE is really easy using your handguard removal tool, just remember to put the top half on first. |
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