Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles No stupid questions, yah right! Hand Guard Replacement

Handgaurd cap

Who'd a thunk! Next I'll ask what the barrel nut is called ! Thanks!

This is what it looks like when you convert an FN-15 to floating handguard and no A2 front sight.

Just run it the way it's set up now--you won't gain anything appreciable over it.

Buy another AR to set up the way you want with a longer free float handguard.

'Boomer,

Handguard cap, as already noted. I'll just add that there is round and triangular handguard caps. Typically, round is used on the carbine length gas system, and triangular on the mid and rifle. But there are a few exceptions.

If you use an aftermarket handguard like that UTG you posted up, or others that are used in conjunction with the handguard cap, make sure it fits your handguard cap shape. Some fit either cap, some don't.

The reason there is two types of handguard cap is because the triangular cap dates back to the M16/ M16A1 that used the triangular handguards. For the longest time, rifle length handguards were/are designed to fit that cap.

My goal is not longer. Other's have suggested that as an approach to consider. I think it does justify another rifle or two though....


Thanks again. I saw references to the triangular thingy, err, hand guard cap. So, having freefloat compatibilty per my barrel nut style and gas block diameter is needed. Or for a two piece, length and cap style.... On another tangent, a longer sight radius would come from an A2 rifle length gas system, or a long freefloat hand guard and rail mounted front sight. Among other options. I'll need more ARs.

Thanks for the pics David.

Boomer,

The Troy Delta Rail is a true drop in, freefloat handguard that requires zero modifications, is extremely durable, and quite stiff for what it is. It is without doubt the best pitch one can do for a “stock” AR/M4 without modifying it.


Zero chance I would use a non free float, and some mentioned above are weak junk.

The Troy unit definitely looks stout. Been looking at it since NV mentioned them.

Appreciate it.

Not true. What you gain with a free float handguard is consistent POI regardless of sling or rest pressure/tension on the forend. People use them for good reason, and it's not just for looks.

Leaning that way. Just a short, stout, narrow, aluminum, freefloat, retaining the A2. Or, who knows.

Appreciate all the help and suggestions, learned a few things too boot! I know it's old hat to ya'll, that's why I asked.

Form,

Thoughts on the Centurion c4 carbine cutout rail? Solid as the Troy?

What I was really thinking is that if he is going to only run open sights as are shown in his picture, the advantages of a free float are going to be unlikely to emerge in any meaningful way. He needs another AR setup with mid/rifle gas, no sight block, longer free float tube, scope, and nicer trigger to really stack the advantages.

LOL That's an awful lot of assumptions. The carbine wears a 1-4 scope, the Magpul flippy sight is long gone, no complaints on the FN trigger.... Might consider just open sights on this. It's not an accuracy rig, you are right there. Cheers now and always.

Laugh now while you can...

For an iron sighted chrome lined carbine, or even a red dot, I haven't seen enough difference but I get the idea. I do have a DD Omega rail for a carbine that I might try a before and after test with. I just honestly don't know if I can get the SL's off without breaking something. They were a pain to install.

It's all in good fun, for now. LOL