Greh... Aaaaaand, my hard drive died.
To answer the question, I distrust free-floating due to the fact that it offers no protection should you strike the exposed portion of the barrel against something or trip and put it into the dirt. I know we pride ourselves on our ability to handle a firearm but, well, things happen. Non-float handguards lend rigidity to the barrel assembly in the same way that flying buttresses prop up the walls of a cathedral, making the barrel less vulnerable to being bent, snapped or yanked out of place by such an impact.
As to my original question, how much play do the handguards themselves have? I do eventually plan to mount an IR laser and I would need that to hold zero.
Thanks for the warm welcome and unfortunately, I come to you from occupied territory: The people's republic of California.
