AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/18/2016 11:16:09 PM EDT
| I am going to do a new AR build and I want to use a free float handguard but I don't know what length to get. It's going to have an 18" barrel with a mid length gas system. Suggestions? |
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If you use a low profile gas block (which will fit under a rail), you can use any length rail you'd like.
For reference (although Stealth barrels at ½ price wouldn't be a bad way to go) LaRue has a graphic which depicts various barrel and rail lengths. |
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Quoted:
I am going to do a new AR build and I want to use a free float handguard but I don't know what length to get. It's going to have an 18" barrel with a mid length gas system. Suggestions? a) if your rifle will be .223/5.56 caliber, the ideal gas port position for an 18" or 20" barrel is rifle length, not middy. b) if you are stuck on 18" barrel with middy gas port, then the ideal length of the FF handguard is about 10.5" to be flush the with front end of the block. If you want to completely cover the block, then a 12 or 13" handguard is about right. In either case, you want to have a few inches of exposed barrel in front of the handguard so you can clamp the barrel in wood blocks when tightening/loosening your muzzle device. - CW |
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