How To Tell If AR Hand Gaurd Is Free Floating & Install Help

[funstuff22]

so i got a ar bug traded for a complete lower and purchased a complete upper gun is together and great a friend of mine had a mako quad rail handgaurd from a ar parts bundle he bought off ebay..its brand new he dosnt want it and i want to install it on mine...Now is this free floating or no? How do i install and any tools needed id prefer not to have to buy any tools is possible
thanks for any help

[knight0334]

A free floating unit will attach to the factory, or replacement(in most cases), barrel nut only. It will not touch the barrel, handguard cap, or any other part that touches the barrel.

If it is the one at the following link, it is not a free floating unit because it uses the delta/slip ring and handguard cap to hold it on the gun.

http://www.makosecurity.com/Merchant...gory_Code=_irs

[funstuff22]

that would be it..now is there a process to install as im new to all of this and dont want to ruin anything thanks

[knight0334]

There are two ways..

1. use a slip ring tool to compress the ring down to free the forearm
2. get a friend to remove/replace the handguard halves as you pull down on the slip ring with both hands.

If you look at your AR, you will be able to grab the ring at the back of the handguard and pull it back some. It is under pressure by a special type of spring. Its possible to to pull it back with two hands, but then you'll need someone to separate the handguard halves. There are special tools that are like $10 to do the job leaving one hand to remove/replace the handguards.

[funstuff22]

well i will be trying this sometime by thursday thanks for the info and help

[Xringshooter]

To install a free float handguard you will need a barrel nut wrench and a torque wrench along with various other tools depending on the type of front sight, flash suppressor, etc. Also, an upper receiver vise block is very handy to insure you don't crack or break the upper receiver when taking the barrel off or when you reinstall.

AR15.com, IIRC, has some videos and instructions about replacing a standard forearm with a free float forearm.

[mythaeus]

Find yours on here: http://www.makosecurity.com/Merchant...gory_Code=_irs then tell us whether or not it's FF.

I'm guessing that it's not. This means all you need to do is pop out the plastic and pop in the quad rail. Here are the videos on how to build a complete AR: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=1...An_AR-15_Video

The last few seconds of this video from the same series shows you how the standard handguards are put together: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11439/learn/ . Use it to figure out how to take them out coupled with knight0334 instructions above.

To install a free float handguard you will need a barrel nut wrench and a torque wrench along with various other tools depending on the type of front sight, flash suppressor, etc. Also, an upper receiver vise block is very handy to insure you don't crack or break the upper receiver when taking the barrel off or when you reinstall.

AR15.com, IIRC, has some videos and instructions about replacing a standard forearm with a free float forearm.

This is true for some, especially YHM handguards. However, there are some FF handguards that can be installed without disassembling all those components or needing any tools. The VLTOR CASV-EL is one of them. You only need to remove the front sling mount and it's a 10-minute installation with an allen wrench. Other snap on FF handguards' installation is similar.

Al

[Xringshooter]

.
This is true for some, especially YHM handguards. However, there are some FF handguards that can be installed without disassembling all those components or needing any tools. The VLTOR CASV-EL is one of them. You only need to remove the front sling mount and it's a 10-minute installation with an allen wrench. Other snap on FF handguards' installation is similar.

Al

Agreed, the VLTOR CASV-EL is one of few free floats that you do not have to replace the stock barrel nut or remove any of the front sights. Just looked at it and it looks pretty nice and actually not a bad price either.

[mythaeus]

Agreed, the VLTOR CASV-EL is one of few free floats that you do not have to replace the stock barrel nut or remove any of the front sights. Just looked at it and it looks pretty nice and actually not a bad price either.

I like the system A LOT. It's mounted solid onto your upper, short enough to avoid raising the rear sight. This extension creates somewhat of a monolithic set up between your upper and handguards, while keeping the system free float without the need for the removal of the original delta ring, barrel nut, etc. It's easy and very sturdy.







Al

[acbird0311]

That looks sexy.