AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/7/2005 9:04:37 PM EDT
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I've read a lot of good info here, great site. But I haven't found anything that states both the pro's, and con's of free floating an AR. I know it helps the accuracy. But can anyone list all the Pro's and Con's of free floating vs not free floating the barrel? Thanks in advance. |
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I can't think of any con's of why not to free float a barrel if at all possible on any firearm. A barrel that is not free floating is acting on the faith that anything touching the barrel (e.i. stock, forearm ect) is not going to change. Such as movement from the stock being replaced in a slightly different position, or pressure changes do to leaning on a bi-pod affecting the stock, or weather changes that could cause swelling in the stock. (Some of these may not apply to an AR-15 like swelling.) If you can free float it...Do it  Your rifle will love you for it and it will show on the paper too.
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keeping the barrel under the handguards nice and shinny! |
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Conventional rifles with sporter weight barrels may be more accurate with the barrel suppported by the stock, with a variety of ammunition. With ammo tuned to the barrel harmomics, usually floated barrels make repeatable accuracy more likely. The heavier the barrel the less difference it makes but heavy barrels have no draw-backs to being unsupported if the action is strong enough. AR 15s I'm not sure of since I've never had other than free-float and do not know how much support the regular handguards can provide. When using slings or anything that stresses the stock floating or a very rigid stock reduces point-of impact changes. Regards, Mild Bill |
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I'd say float it. If you need or want a bit a access Sherluck makes a swirl cut hand guard that you could flush water/cleaner thru and spray the barrel with oil. Here's a pic of a National match style CAR HG I built up.  For a pencil profile barrel I think a float tube makes a big difference in accuracy, just me. |
+1000 for keeping it oiled under the tube. Rust is no friend to the rifle.  Use the Q-tip-through-the-vent-holes oiling method and learn to love the little white fuzzies it leaves under there. When those fuzzies disappear, it's time to re-oil. |
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here is part of one of my prev post to see how the JP works, couldnt send all of this in an IM Sorry the pics suck, spankin new high tech camera ($350) and trying to get takin pics right. The 2 piece barrel nut.  You Locktite this piece on  Thie piece wedges the barrel in,  hmmm Pics with tube on upper, Sorry no barrel, Gotta go to Cisco to use an upper clamp.        Heres some pics from JP's Website,       |
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