15" free float handguard on M&P15
- Thread starter Claytom Magnet
- Start date
What type of a gas block do you have? I'm pretty sure you just need to replace the gas block, and then you can put on any free float handguard as long as the inner diameter of the handguard clears the gasblock and the handguard isn't dangerously long.
Buy a low profile gas block and a free float forend and then swap them out.
I'm not sure I would bother with the "upgrade" though. It looks nicer an gives you some more mounting options but I don't know it it's really worth spending $200+ just so you can hang stuff you don't need off the front of your rifle and making it heavier. People are going to tell you that your rifle will be more accurate and they're right, it will be a tiny bit more accurate, $200-$300 more accurate I'm not sure. I've had non free floated AR's shoot sub moa groups and I've had free floated AR's that would not so to me it's more about barrel quality than just free floating the handgaurd. It's definitely not going to turn a 3 moa rifle into a 1 moa rifle so don't do it expecting a huge improvement in accuracy.
Whatever you do though, don't buy a quadrail forend, you will want something in M-Lok or keymod so you can keep the weight down and still be able to put a rail section or accessory wherever you want.
Depending on how much work you want to do you may want to stick to a forend that uses the original barrel nut rather than having to buy a barrel wrench and a reaction rod so you can swap that out. Some forends use the stock one and others have their own proprietary barrel nut.
I'm not sure I would bother with the "upgrade" though. It looks nicer an gives you some more mounting options but I don't know it it's really worth spending $200+ just so you can hang stuff you don't need off the front of your rifle and making it heavier. People are going to tell you that your rifle will be more accurate and they're right, it will be a tiny bit more accurate, $200-$300 more accurate I'm not sure. I've had non free floated AR's shoot sub moa groups and I've had free floated AR's that would not so to me it's more about barrel quality than just free floating the handgaurd. It's definitely not going to turn a 3 moa rifle into a 1 moa rifle so don't do it expecting a huge improvement in accuracy.
Whatever you do though, don't buy a quadrail forend, you will want something in M-Lok or keymod so you can keep the weight down and still be able to put a rail section or accessory wherever you want.
Depending on how much work you want to do you may want to stick to a forend that uses the original barrel nut rather than having to buy a barrel wrench and a reaction rod so you can swap that out. Some forends use the stock one and others have their own proprietary barrel nut.
Put an Aimpoint on it and you're done then (IMHO). Keep it light, keep it simple.
Then I see no need for a free float rail... Spend the money on ammo and practice. Your performance will improve more from the trigger time then the free float handguard.
Customizing your AR is a big rabbit hole, go down it if you want to, but there isn't a need.
Customizing your AR is a big rabbit hole, go down it if you want to, but there isn't a need.
Who are we to say what's googd enough when someone asks about upgrading their lego toy? We're all guilty of dolling up at least one of our ARs in our collection. 
For a free float handguard, you will need a low profile gas block or mod your current one. You will need to remove your delta ring and spring. Some handguards can use the current one, others use proprietary ones which are included in the kit. A vise block like a Magpul BEV block and torque wrench would be in order. Just don't use the torque wrench to remove the old barrel nut. Find a handguard you fancy and there's going to be a YouTube video on how to install it. Congrats and enjoy your new Lego set.
For a free float handguard, you will need a low profile gas block or mod your current one. You will need to remove your delta ring and spring. Some handguards can use the current one, others use proprietary ones which are included in the kit. A vise block like a Magpul BEV block and torque wrench would be in order. Just don't use the torque wrench to remove the old barrel nut. Find a handguard you fancy and there's going to be a YouTube video on how to install it. Congrats and enjoy your new Lego set.
I did the handguard thing you're thinking of on my sport 2. The others are correct, it's a bit of a rabbit hole. Got mine from true north arms.
Get new handguard -> need vise blocks ->need vise -> need torque wrench ->need low profile gas block ->need crush washers ->need armor wrench ->need a2 sight removal tool
OK its done
Need front mbus sight ->need mlok x+y+z
I'm pleased with the result but it was a process. The worst part was getting the a2 sight off. They put that thing in with a hydraulic press so it was rediculous to get off.
I might have just gone for a drop in handguard if I had to do it again instead of messing with that front sight.
Good luck.
Get new handguard -> need vise blocks ->need vise -> need torque wrench ->need low profile gas block ->need crush washers ->need armor wrench ->need a2 sight removal tool
OK its done
Need front mbus sight ->need mlok x+y+z
I'm pleased with the result but it was a process. The worst part was getting the a2 sight off. They put that thing in with a hydraulic press so it was rediculous to get off.
I might have just gone for a drop in handguard if I had to do it again instead of messing with that front sight.
Good luck.
Trinimon has it pretty well covered. I did mine awhile back and the hardest part was removing the TAPERED pins from the front sight. The next hardest part was removing the front sight, I would recommend separating the gas tube from it so you can twist and pull the sight without damaging the tube. You can buy a wrench to remove the delta ring but I just used channel lock pliers wrapped in a rag, no damage done. Make sure you measure your barrel where the gas block goes and order the right diameter, mine was .750" which is common but they do sell other sizes. Watch a few videos and take your time, it's not that hard.
Good luck and enjoy.
Good luck and enjoy.
Thanks, it's gonna be a winter project so I'm planning on taking my time or as my bank account will allow me. Mines a sport 1 with no threaded barrel so I was planning on finding a gently used barrel on the EE so that might make things a bit easier.
