GoDenBroncosGo Posted April 10, 2013 Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 My apologies if this is a redundant thread. I literally have been searching the forum since yesterday afternoon and haven't found what I'm trying to figure out, however it's entirely possible that I'm not using the correct terminology due to be new to ARs. I have a DPMS 308 Sportical that came with the factory handguard & a Firefield 6.7inch quad rail. Factory hand guard: Firefield quad rail: It appears as though the existing barrel nut is too thick for the quad rail as when I try to fit the two pieces into place the ends of the rail closest to the slip/delta ring end up being too far apart to screw together. The only way to make it fit is to move the gas block forward a bit and then the ends of the rail nearest the slip/delta ring actually end up just ahead of the ring, but that would end up causing a pressure issue of the rifle not chambering a new round after being fired due to the gas block not being over the gas hole in the top of the barrel in the correct position. I am unsure if the Firefield rail just isn't meant to fit my 308 or if I need to put on a different barrel nut & slip/delta ring? If it's just that I need a new/different barrel nut & slip/delta ring I am unsure of what I need/what would fit my rifle. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated! This is the existing nut & ring: This is the gas block: I have found this nut https://www.precisionreflex.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=186675&CAT=4211, but I am unsure of whether it would do what I need. I have also found this nut http://www.midwayusa.com/product/748354/yankee-hilll-machine-free-float-tube-handguard-barrel-nut-aluminum-matte, but am unsure if it would fit/work for my 308. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyEJL Posted April 10, 2013 Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 for starters, you don't mount a free float with a delta ring still on. second, I think that free float rail is meant for an AR15, so its unlikely to be the same barrel nut size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoDenBroncosGo Posted April 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 for starters, you don't mount a free float with a delta ring still on. second, I think that free float rail is meant for an AR15, so its unlikely to be the same barrel nut size. I appreciate the quick reply! So, no ring at all, just take it off & nothing goes over the barrel nut? I was also kind of thinking that the rail was for an AR15. Not sure why it would have been bundled along with the rifle when I bought it. Maybe the dealer sent the wrong one in error. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyEJL Posted April 10, 2013 Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 yep, no ring at all. Its possible that it does fit, as I used a regular AR15 barrel nut wrench on my 308 dpms upper/barrel nut and it fit 100%, but I did get a 308 specific free float rail. if you don't really care about the delta ring (as in reselling it with the handguard) you can cut it off with a grinding wheel instead of dissassembling the barrel nut. I've heard of a few people doing it on ARs before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoDenBroncosGo Posted April 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 I think I might just sell off the Firefield rail on eBay or something & get one that is meant to fit. Any suggestions on a shorter carbine length 308 quad rail that won't break the bank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyEJL Posted April 10, 2013 Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 There really isn't such a thing (the not break the bank part). Its worth removing the delta ring first whether you cut it off or remove the barrel nut and see if the firefield fits. if its tight enough that you can't rotate it, and you can pick up the gun by the free float rail and you don't see the barrel move, you are good to go. I haven't seen any free floats that i'd feel good about on a 308 for under $150 that I can think of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted April 10, 2013 Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 Is the quad rail 2 pieces or one? If its 2.... A top and bottom half...its not free float and works with a delta ring. Its hard to tell from the pics... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoDenBroncosGo Posted April 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 It's 2 pieces, top & bottom. I found what I need, only it's sold out everywhere. Although, I have found it listed for about $130 in various places. Guess I'll just have to wait until they are back in stock http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=292 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted April 10, 2013 Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 Sent you a pm...something to try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyEJL Posted April 10, 2013 Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 yeah, its not a free float, just a quad rail and is meant to use the delta ring. Are you trying to put it in the delta ring end first? or in the end cap first? Another option is the magpul MOE handguards. they are inexpensive but allow mounting rails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoDenBroncosGo Posted April 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 I've tried installing it delta ring side first and gas block side first. Either way it doesn't fit right because the inside of the 2 pieces of the quad rail isn't big enough on the delta ring side for it to fit properly. I will check out the Magpul handguards, but I have a feeling I will end up just waiting for the Midwest Industries rail that's designed for the sportical to get back in stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoDenBroncosGo Posted April 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 Thank you for all the help guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyEJL Posted April 10, 2013 Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 (edited) for a drop in quad rail, here's one for $25. but I don't know if what you already have could be the GMG one. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002PI3IPO/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slickguns-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B002PI3IPO&adid=0VBH3PY7ERS6BQHB6N74 Edited April 10, 2013 by EasyEJL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoDenBroncosGo Posted April 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2013 (edited) On second thought, I don't think that will fit given it's advertised for an AR15/M4 Edited April 10, 2013 by GoDenBroncosGo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles179 Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 I have a DPMS 308 oracle and am looking for a free floating handguard to fit it not worried about the price I just need a decent free floating handguard with a nice rail. I put a ar 15 rail on it and it is not secure please if you have any info or a free floating rail that will fit it without modification (cutting or anything like that) let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 16 minutes ago, Charles179 said: I have a DPMS 308 oracle and am looking for a free floating handguard to fit it not worried about the price I just need a decent free floating handguard with a nice rail. I put a ar 15 rail on it and it is not secure please if you have any info or a free floating rail that will fit it without modification (cutting or anything like that) let me know Welcome to the forum feel free to tell us about yourself in the intro section. first off ar15 hand guards will not fit, you need a guard for a .308 rifle in DPMS pattern. There are many companies who make them i.e. Midwest industries and Aero, are a few off the top of my head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles179 Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 Do you possibly know which one from midwest industries would fit I know i need a DPMS LR308 but how long will i need for a free floating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 5 hours ago, Charles179 said: Do you possibly know which one from midwest industries would fit I know i need a DPMS LR308 but how long will i need for a free floating How long is the one you have now I'm assuming 12"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 He has an Oracle, so I'm guessing carbine length plastic handguards with goofy railed gas block currently. A carbine length (7") free float rail for LR308 LOW will work as is. You will need a low profile gas block that will fit under the rail to run anything longer. you need to remove the gas block either way so I'd suggest getting the low pro and running any length rail you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 2 hours ago, blue109 said: He has an Oracle, so I'm guessing carbine length plastic handguards with goofy railed gas block currently. A carbine length (7") free float rail for LR308 LOW will work as is. You will need a low profile gas block that will fit under the rail to run anything longer. you need to remove the gas block either way so I'd suggest getting the low pro and running any length rail you want. Thanks blue I was trying it image it in my head, thank you for refreshing my memory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmackc Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 (edited) I have a DPMS .308 Oracle and I thought about just grinding the rail on the gas block down with a 4" grinder and then fileing it down smooth, so the free floating handguard, like the one that Midway sells for a DPMS LR308 will clear the gas block, then paint the bare metal. As far as I am concerned the rail on the gas block is worthless, but I don't have a problem so far with the factory handguard. That is another project right now. Edited December 6, 2016 by mrmackc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted December 7, 2016 Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 3 years and 8 months for a NecroPost is a new record - kudos to Charles, because that's damn impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsquared Posted December 7, 2016 Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 If that ain't the record......that's pretty damn close. And YES.....impressive it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted December 7, 2016 Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 8 hours ago, 98Z5V said: 3 years and 8 months for a NecroPost is a new record - kudos to Charles, because that's damn impressive. Had one a week or two ago in the PWS from2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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