The drop-in handguard doesn’t require any tools (although the Delta-ring tool makes it much easier). While it is not a huge deal, you generally need to have the rifle locked down on a vice block, and you will need some basic armorer tools. You can’t do that with a free-floating handguard. It only takes a few seconds to pull the Delta ring back, and the two pieces of the handguard come apart and out. Probably the greatest advantage to a drop-in handguard is the ease of replacement. And these aren’t limited to just plastic aluminum quad-rail units have been around for years and are a nice compliment to any carbine build. There is something nostalgic and practical about the classic polymer drop-in handguard. They are still a great option for the budget-minded weapon.
Drop-in Handguards The MAG424 Carbine-Length Handguard is the most common drop-in handguard upgrade you see on off-the-shelf AR-15 rifles.ĭrop-in handguards are generally the least expensive options, lightweight, and fairly straightforward to remove and install (with the Delta-ring tool, of course).ĭrop-in handguards are the original stock for all variants of the AR-pattern rifle. However, a few examples of carbon fiber free-float handguards and a few enterprising builders have even used PVC pipe.
The most popular are usually 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum, which is light while maintaining excellent durability. At least I’m not.įree-float handguards are made of a few different materials.
Truthfully, hardly any of us are a good enough shot for this ever to matter. It floats around the entire barrel assembly, causing no interference with the barrel while shooting. This phenomenon is not AR-specific it happens to all rifles where the handguard directly contacts the barrel.Ī free-floating handguard is attached directly to the barrel nut. When you grip the handguard and fire your rifle, it does pull the barrel ever so slightly if it is not free-floating. However, a handguard directly attached to the barrel will slightly influence the barrel. The primary benefit of a free-floating design is that it has no contact with the barrel assembly.Ī barrel is at its most accurate when it is in contact and fastened to the receiver and the receiver alone. Free-floating AT3’s SPEAR free-float handguard is available in a variety of colors and lengths to upgrade your AR-15, or start a new build right.Īs the name suggests, a free-floating handguard is precisely that: it ‘floats’ around the barrel and gas tube. Everything else is window dressing to these two basic types. While there are practically infinite possibilities for different handguards in terms of price, size, form, function, and style, there are only two basic handguards: drop-in or free-floating. A nice handguard makes the rifle, while a cheap handguard looks like a cheap handguard. It is where you brace the rifle, you mount accessories, and frankly, it goes a long way toward the overall appearance of the rifle. Whatever your take on furniture is, the handguard bears a lot of the focus. On the other hand, maybe you are interested in a rubberized pistol grip like a Hogue, or an ergonomically sound design like a Magpul MOE grip. Or you like the sleek and infinitely modifiable appearance and function of a free-floating handguard. Perhaps you are a traditionalist and opt for a standard M4-style MIL-SPEC drop-in handguard. As for me, I'm a newbie hear and when it comes to making changes on an AR.The furniture on your AR-15 says a lot about you. They are steering you in the right direction as many have been there and done that. With what these people have told you and the people I know have told me and after trying different rifles. I will probably be replacing the stock later as I call it the rattler. Also looking at possibly an adjustable gas block.
I didn't care for the weight of the quad rail and bulk feeling they have from trying different rifles at the firearm stores and others rifles I have shot.
Trying to find out my barrel nut thread pitch so I can make sure I get the right size with a new free float handguard.
I have a S&W M&P 15 sport 2 optics ready with no front sight with a short picatinny rail on top of the gas block I use MAGPUL flip up sights with QD mount and a primary arms 1-6x24 with a ACSS reticle I am looking at a replacing my handguard also with a 15" or 13" M-Lok handguard with picatinny full rail or the split rail with a short picatinny rails on top of each end with M-Lok slots on sides and bottom.