Free floating rails?

[Davy Crockett]

As I understand it, the purpose of a free floating rail is to avoid changing POI when hanging things off the rail. Seems like the advantages might be minimal for a recreational shooter like myself. Is there anything more to it?

 

[Big_Red]

You've basically covered it. Also a rail system actually provides better ventilation than the standard handguards when the weapon is fired rapidly.

If you have no plans to accessorize there is really no reason to add a rail except for LCF.

 

[Armedsask]

But look cool factor is the biggest reason to do anything to an AR15!

 

[Davy Crockett]

I'm adding the rail to mount a light and vertical grip, I'm just wondering if it there's an advantage to spend the extra on a free floating version.

....and if it looks cool, so much the better

 

[Tim H]

Free floating the barrel SHOULD improve the accuracy of the gun. That's why it's done with heavy barrel target/varmint rifles. However, with the accuracy of the average AR15, you won't notice any real difference.

What it will do is remove outside influences on the barrel. The "things hanging off the rail" aren't likely to have much affect, but your grip will. If you're using a vertical fore-grip you're likely to pull back on it. That will pull your barrel downwards. then if you rest the barrel/handguards on a barricade or bipod, you'll be pushing up on the barrel. If you use a free-float tube, you'll alleviate this problem because the barrel won't be moving, just the tube

So basically, it's NOT worth it for the average AR, but it does add to the LCF, and really that's what it's all about right?

Cheers.

Tim

 

[Davy Crockett]

thanks Tim

So can I assume the deflection would be fairly minimal with a standard profile barrel? I'm not looking for a tack driver, just a serviceable accuracy.

My current choices are:

Daniel Defense Omega rail (free floated) at around $275

or

Troy Industries MRF-DI (non-free) at around $175

opinions??

 

[KevinB]

Depending upon your hold, and the accessories you add - it can help or hurt.

Receiver/barrel deflection tests showed that the KAC M4 RAS faired the best in deviation over all the other the tested systems, but the fixed carry handle M4's.

USNSWC Crane's SOPMOD block II testing showed increased bolt life to 20-35% with freefloats over the RAS

 

[cp220]

Davy I run a Daniel Defense Omega on one of my rifles. It's super easy to install, and is very low profile which is nice. Once it's installed it is rock solid.

 

[NaOH]

If you run your optics further out (like a red dot) free float is the way to go.

 

[sgthoskins]

Don't forget if you ever use the sling while shooting it can change the POI.

 

[Davy Crockett]

thanks for the good advice guys, all duly noted