First AR build. Help/suggestions

[Lobster_pot]

Hey guys. So I'm doing my first AR build. Traded a couple firearms I wasn't using for an upper and lower. The upper never came with hand guards. That didn't concern me because I already had a quad rail. Well my quad rail won't fit the end cap on my upper. Here's a pic of it

Here's a pic of quad rail.

It comes close to fitting the top piece correctly but bottom is way off. I think I need the end cap in this pic

Do I need that end cap? Or would other one work? Just that it's mil spec/commercial spec and the quad rail is the opposite?
Eventually I'm taking front site off and putting on the low pro gas block I have and run a free floating hand guard out over the kx3. Just haven't decided what one yet. Kinda on a bit of a budget right now. So was looking for a cheaper($100-200) instead of a higher priced one. Not sure if they even exist. Lol.
I was just hoping for now I could slam the quad rail I already have on it and do some shooting.
So what's the simplest solution for right now? Get a hanguard that will fit the front end cap that is on the upper (suggestions for hand guard?) or remove front sight and change out the end cap with one that will fit my quad rail? I'm thinking easiest thing to do is get a hand guard that I can slap on for a few months until I find the right FF hand guard. How do I tell if the end cap is mil spec or commercial? I know that's a lot of questions! Lol

 

[justinchow]

A little tough to say based on the pic of your rails, how are they supposed to fit?
If they're supposed to be free floated, then it doesn't really matter. If they're designed to be a replacement for the stock hand guards, then usually you need the round cap. From the sounds of it, they were designed as a replacement? I think the only way is to take off the Front Sight Post, and the cap will slip right off. There are a few places you can pick one up, Wolverine and Questar would be the first place I'd look... Or there's always EE

I don't really recall there being a commercial vs mil-spec hand guards, that's typically associated with the buffer tube...

Depending on the length you require, the Daniel Defence EZ Car 7.0 or 9.0 rails are a good replacement for a decent price, that's if you replace that cap for the round one... For a simple free float I like the Daniel Defence Omega rails, they just mount to the delta ring assembly, and require very little gunsmithing skills, free floated and rock solid

 

[Lobster_pot]

Thanks for the reply!

I don't really recall there being a commercial vs mil-spec hand guards, that's typically associated with the buffer tube.

That's what I thought. Thanks for clarifying

The hand guard I have is a replacement. Its not a free float. I think it needs the round cap. Might be easiest to get a cheap set that will work with my end cap. That would get me shooting. Then eventually get a 12" free float.
Do you know what hand guards would work with my end cap? Would magpul fit? Thanks for your help!!!

 

[justinchow]

Thanks for the reply!



That's what I thought. Thanks for clarifying

The hand guard I have is a replacement. Its not a free float. I think it needs the round cap. Might be easiest to get a cheap set that will work with my end cap. That would get me shooting. Then eventually get a 12" free float.
Do you know what hand guards would work with my end cap? Would magpul fit? Thanks for your help!!!

Hmmm... I think the only real ones that work with that cap are the old school Vietnam style hand guards... I believe the Magpul ones require a round cap as well. You could get something like Samson MFG Evolution rails, they're free floated and a relatively inexpensive, they can be had from Fabsports.

 

[Aniest]

The front end cap you have fits a handguard like the upper AR in this photo (random from a PhotoBucket site search: NOT mine):

Where you need something more like the lower, or none at all.

Like the above photo, your front sight will be pinned on. It you have a free float fore end that is two piece, then you can adapt over the existing end plate no problem. If the free float is a one piece, it is likely not designed to go over the pinned on gas block front sight tower.

Also, triangular guards have a following: so it you get that front sight removed you may be able to sell the triangular front plate for a few dollars quickly (not a fortune, but still in demand).

 

[Lobster_pot]

Thanks for the help guys. Think I found a FF hand guard so I'm taking off the front sight and putting on a low profile gas block.

Also, triangular guards have a following: so it you get that front sight removed you may be able to sell the triangular front plate for a few dollars quickly (not a fortune, but still in demand).

So what would the value of something like that be? Thanks

 

[Aniest]

So what would the value of something like that be? Thanks

Normal round handguard end caps are $6.00 to $12.00 depending on make and place purchased. The possibility of selling a round one, when they are easy to get, would be minor.

A triangular cap normally doesn't sell for any more than the $6.00 to $12.00 of a round: but I imagine if you offered it (in new condition) for $10.00 it might sell fast. It's not that it's really worth more, in my opinion, but being a part of a triangular guard set-up someone might want it. Triangular handguards have a following.

That's my opinion anyways.

 

[Lobster_pot]

Thanks!! I'm taking it off and it's of no use to me so it may as well go to someone who could use it. I looked on a few sponsor sites and couldn't find a price on a round one. Just didn't want to overcharge. If anyone's interested in it feel free to pm me. Otherwise it will be on the EE in a few days.