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Currently I have a carbine length AR-15 with carbine length handguards on it. My question is if I decided to mount a rifle length free float handguard rail system on it (providing I get a low profile gas block) would it be possible to do?

If i remember correctly you have to cut the delta ring and take off the front hand guard ring.

Sputz

Currently I have a carbine length AR-15 with carbine length handguards on it. My question is if I decided to mount a rifle length free float handguard rail system on it (providing I get a low profile gas block) would it be possible to do?

Possible? Absolutely! But it may not be easy.
You'll definitely be removing the front sight/gas block, which is somewhat of a pain if it's pinned, as you have to drive the taper pins out and they are generally in there to stay. If your front sight is not pinned, this is a piece of cake. Also, a free-float rail will have it's own barrel-nut assembly, so you'll be removing the stock delta-ring and barrel-nut. You shouldn't have to cut it off.

You'll need, at a minimum, an AR vice block (and vice), a good AR armorers wrench, a stout punch for the taper pins, a hammer and a torque wrench (to set the new barrel-nut torque). It's real hard to get the barrel nut off without a vice to hold the upper.

Good luck!

Sputz wrote:If i remember correctly you have to cut the delta ring and take off the front hand guard ring.

Sputz

Why not just take the barrel nut off and remove the delta ring ? A Free Float Handguard is most likely going to have a replacement barrel nut to hold the rear of the handguard in place.

KaiserB wrote:

Sputz wrote:If i remember correctly you have to cut the delta ring and take off the front hand guard ring.

Sputz

Why not just take the barrel nut off and remove the delta ring ? A Free Float Handguard is most likely going to have a replacement barrel nut to hold the rear of the handguard in place.

Goes to show you I didn't remember correctly, except the delta ring had to come off to get it on.

Kinda like this (Mid length gas system with rifle handguards)?


Note that the rifle pictured above was built and set up as pictured for hog hunting. Currently it sits in the safe waiting on the hog hunting to improve and sports a Night Vision scope and IR lights.

Yes!

Also some people just cut down their pinned A2 Gas block and go with that.

Here's mine with Midwest Industries handguard. I like it a lot.

Mine:

now i wish i would have seen this thread before i ordered a new carbine length handgaurd, since i already have a lowprofile gasblock i could have gone with a longer gaurd

so now i know it is extremely possible for me to do it. the next step is finding the right handguard. any suggestions?

teraph wrote:so now i know it is extremely possible for me to do it. the next step is finding the right handguard. any suggestions?

Mine is from Yankee Hill Machine, and I bought it from MidwayUSA.com. It is a light weight model, which makes a difference, particularly since my carbine has a heavy profile barrel.

I like the midwest industries SS type, it is round which makes it more comfortable to hold. It also has litttle rail segments you can bolt up to the holes. Much more mounting options and angles than a quad rail, and MI also has sling adapters and other things that bolt to the tube without using rail space. I think its lighter than a quad too. So unless you really need 50" plus of rail space the MI is just as capable.

Troy also has a model that looks nice but the MI was cheaper and made in USA so I got it.

I have the Troy TRX tube hand guard and really like it. Its a lot lighter than a quad rail and offers just as must versatility without all the weight and pointy edges. Mine is on a 9mm AR carbine so no gas block or gas tube are needed b/c its blow back operation and not direct impingement. But I essentially did the same thing, knocked off the carbine hand guard and installed rifle length free float tube and yes the gas block/front sight is kind of a pain to remove. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

It'll have to wait til the next paycheck but i will def post pics once im done with it

The Annoyed Man wrote:Mine:

TAM I like all three. The pistol, Bible, and Rifle!