Hand guards.. to float or not to float.

[dlancello]

I'm new to this form and AR 10s. I was raised around guns and shooting has always been a part of my life.

I'm ordering an AR10 A4 Carbine. I want to install a 4 rail hand guard and i would like your opinions on weather the floating hand guard is really worth the added cost and time. I'm not going to use this rifle for competition.

Thanks

[6132expert]

I kinda confused as to what pro's there are to having a FF tube.

[Matt.Cross]

The gains are relative and in terms of overall accuracy. A free-float tube has a single point of influence over the barrel, and that by manipulating the receiver itself whereas the enclosed forarm type manipulates at both the receiver and a given point along the length of the barrel. It basically means there's a point at which the barrel is susceptible to torque and thus a change in the point of impact. No big deal at shorter ranges, much more apparent at longer distances.

[imschur]

Free floating also allows a barrel it's natural undisturbed vibrations and movements throughout its temp range.

You'll even see guys run a dollar between the barrel and stock on a bolt action. This is to verify wood is not touching the barrel.

It's just one more thing to help a shooter wring out all the accuracy a rifle is able to achieve.

[6132expert]

So the FF tube help with the accuracy of the rifle?

[imschur]

Well it's kind of reversed. Not FF has the potential of negatively affecting accuracy.

Turns out it's on wikipedia

[dlancello]

Thanks for all the input.

I had an m1a that was glass bedded at the darlington texas arsanel and I got 3-4" groups at 600 yards. It was a very empressive wepon, but very finicky. I wouldn't think of throwing it over my sholder and doing a running course. oh yea, that was also back when I could see the target at 600 yds :)

I havent had an AR platform since 82 and rail systems werent really around.

I am also going to use an Eotech 552 hws. I have seen these and I like the speed of target aqusition.

How about some opinions on this.

Thanks again

[imschur]

If you have bad eyes try an EOTech before you buy it. Some eye troubles prevent proper focus on the reticle

[dlancello]

yea I have. My local gun shpo has  512 and it's really nice. i've used some cheap red dot sights (under

$100) and they are ok if you are looking straight through the center. I ware bifocle glases and have trouble seeing front and rear sights.