Free floated barrel?

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evan the cdn

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I'm thinking about buying my first AR and I've got what is probably a stupid question.

What applications is a free floated barrel recommended or usually used?

After doing a search I'm starting to get the impression that the only difference is in the hand guard or quad rail. Is that the case, or is it much more complicated than that to convert a non-floated to floated barrel?
 
Easiest option to FF - is a drop on system.
KAC RAS II
DD OMEGA Rail
of which I reluctantly admit the DD rail is the best option IMHO.

You dont suffer any ill effects from a FF barrel. You will gain with accuracy - and bolt lug life.
 
Only difference really is in the handguard design and mounting. The handguards do not attach or touch the barrel in any manner, they are attached to the upper, therefore grabbing/banging/leaning against the handguards will not affect the rifle accuracy.

Free floating barrels are excellent if you are going for longer range accuracy (and you have a barrel that makes it worth it). They can also be useful if you use a handguard mounted sling to help shoot (and you tighten it up a fair amount).

Its a nice option but certainly not necessary for the full enjoyment of your first AR (unless you use it for a living, then you decide whats important based on your use).


My two cents... YMMV
 
evan the cdn said:
I'm thinking about buying my first AR and I've got what is probably a stupid question.

What applications is a free floated barrel recommended or usually used?

After doing a search I'm starting to get the impression that the only difference is in the hand guard or quad rail. Is that the case, or is it much more complicated than that to convert a non-floated to floated barrel?
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Its just as easy as that, any of the free floating rails have their attaching point at the barrel nut. So anything you attach to the rails will not put pressure along the barrel and accuracy is supposed to be better because of this.
 
Kevin, just saw your interesting comment about bolt lug life... Can you give me a bit more info on this? I'm still in the learning stages about the AR and was not aware this was also a benefit of FF barrel... just curious to understand better...
 
Evan;

The 2T uses a non-free float barrel system (**edit** my info is old, see below threads for more up to date info). Typically (but not always) you see free float options from the factory on longer barrels with midlength and/or rifle gas systems.

The Stag 2T can be converted fairly easily later though as the others have mentioned above. If you do the conversion, be sure to also move the sling attachement point to the handguard and not leave it on the barrel otherwise you are defeating the purpose.
 
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If you get the new version, this add claims it is FF

"Stag Arms’ newly redesigned Model 2T and 2TL features the improved Samson Star-C free-floating quad-rail system. With an innovative locking system for the bottom rail and new machining, the Star-C is lighter yet stronger than the old model. With this improved rail system and the excellent A.R.M.S. 40L rear flip sight, the Model 2T and 2TL are a great choice for an out of the box tactical carbine."
 
the_dude306 said:
If you get the new version, this add claims it is FF

"Stag Arms’ newly redesigned Model 2T and 2TL features the improved Samson Star-C free-floating quad-rail system. With an innovative locking system for the bottom rail and new machining, the Star-C is lighter yet stronger than the old model. With this improved rail system and the excellent A.R.M.S. 40L rear flip sight, the Model 2T and 2TL are a great choice for an out of the box tactical carbine."
Click to expand...

Good call. I've been checking the ArmsEast site but I didn't even think of checking the Stag site. :bangHead:
 
RacerSTA said:
Evan;

The 2T uses a non-free float barrel system (see below for more up to date info). Typically (but not always) you see free float options from the factory on longer barrels with midlength and/or rifle gas systems.
Click to expand...

This is incorrect. The 2T uses the Samson STAR-C which IS a free-float system. A very fine free-flot quad rail indeed.

Regards,
DT
 
I generally don't recommend Samson items, not specifc to their quality - but the history of the company and the origin of the designs. As a rule I like to reward companies that do their own R&D.

United States Special Operations Command research prior and during SOPMOD Block I and II testing saw that adding a freefloat system reduced pressure on the barrel, which in turn allows the barrel extension to stay truer to receiver and path of the bolt/bolt carrier -- this reduces offaxial pressures - thus prolonging bolt life.
I spoke to the Project Manager for Block II @ Crane Gus Taylor (former SF Col), several years ago, and they where seeing M4 and Mk12 bolt life extended over 20%
 
proc said:
That's interesting re: R&D inputs - I didn't know that story.
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Troy Trounces Sampson in Lawsuit

Troy Industries wins $505,000 Verdict against Samson Mfg.

June 21, 2007, Boston, Massachusetts.

Today, a Suffolk County Superior Court jury awarded Troy Industries, Inc., of West Springfield, Massachusetts, a $505,000 verdict against Samson Manufacturing Corporation and Scott Samson, individually. The jury found that Samson violated the Confidentiality Agreement it had with Troy and that Samson wrongfully used Troy’s trade secrets and confidential business information. The jury also found that Samson engaged in unfair and deceptive business practices in violation of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 93A. The jury’s finding that Samson engaged in unfair and deceptive business practices entitles Troy to an award of its attorney fees and costs.

The trade secrets at issue were for Troy’s ideas, inventions, designs and drawings of the Modular Rail Fore-end, for which Troy was recently issued US Patent No. 7,216,451. Also at issue were Troy’s designs and drawings for the Forward Handgrip and its Scope Mount. These products are Troy’s designs for accessorizing the M16 rifle and carbine used by our military in training and in combat abroad, including the Middle East.

Troy is a designer of military weapons and weapons accessories. Stephen P. Troy, President of Troy Industries said, “This vindicates me. The decision of the jury clearly shows these were my ideas, my designs and my inventions from the very beginning.” Damian R. LaPlaca, of Donovan Hatem LLP, Troy’s lead trial counsel, added, “This means that when you steal somebody’s trade secrets and ideas and try to pass them off as your own, you’ll have to pay.” Troy was also represented at trial by attorneys Sarah K. Willey, Troy’s General Counsel, and Christian G. Samito, and law clerk Emily Coes, each of Donovan Hatem, and was further assisted by patent counsel, Ann Lamport Hammitte, of Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi LLP.

The jury also found against Samson on its claim that Troy breached a purchase order for the machining of the Modular Rail Fore-end, and awarded Samson no damages.

http://www.troyind.com/bnews.html
Click to expand...

personally I like samson as it seems to be goods gear.... but I still hate arms, both for the fact that the owner is a douche and that I have busted 2 levers on various arms mounts.
 
I have a Samson, Troy and DD lite 12.0 and I love 'em all.

I got the Samson before knowledge of the lawsuit though. I don't know if it would've change my mind because at the time I couldn't get my hands on Troy's and Samson was available.
 
As with Kevin B's explanation, I also resist the use of the "Accuwedge" as I believe that it misalignes the upper and lower and causes undue wear to the inside of the upper reciever by forcing the upper away from the lower in the guise of tightening the upper and lower together. As for "Free Float" handguard, what kind of shooting do you plan on doing? What ranges are you planing on shooting at?

Kevin B, are you back in town?

Scott
 
i think the samson / troy thing is just a pissing match between 2 grown men.... its done and now samson pays a royalty to troy for further production. really no reason not to buy samson, the matter was dealt with.

that being said I was KAC and LARUE was better represented in the canadian market.
 
m39a2 said:
As with Kevin B's explanation, I also resist the use of the "Accuwedge" as I believe that it misalignes the upper and lower and causes undue wear to the inside of the upper reciever by forcing the upper away from the lower in the guise of tightening the upper and lower together. As for "Free Float" handguard, what kind of shooting do you plan on doing? What ranges are you planing on shooting at?

Kevin B, are you back in town?

Scott
Click to expand...

The longer of the two outdoor options at my regular range is 300 meters but Dundurn isn't too far away with a 900 meter range. I just started reading more about Service Rifle matches and that sounds interesting.
 
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