handguard/rail mounting - free float

ez8

ez8

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im doing a build and wondering how i can go about mounting a handguard.
ive been looking at the MOE handguard and all the ones ive seen online seem to attach at the delta ring, but they all also seem to have a a2 front sight.

so here lies my question, do i need a front sight to mount this or is it a free float design?
ive got a 10.5"barrel and NEA upper on its way with no rail and no bcg (yet)and want to mount it on this.
(also have an areo percision lower coming)

any info on how i can accomplish this?
 
MOE handguard would directly replace the regular M4 plastic hanguards. They are two piece, and the front is meant to slip under the cap behind the front sight block, and the rear is meant to slip under the delta ring.

With a free float system, you usually have to remove the delta ring if it uses the regular barrel nut, or replace the barrel nut with a specific one meant for the free float rail. You would also need a low profile gas block that would fit under the rail.
 
ive already got a low profile gas block on it.

so to install this MOE handguard i would need:
A2 front sight
front cap from behind the a2 sight
delta ring

anything else?
 
Weld springs for the delta ring and barrel nut. Do you already have the proper length gas tube for it?

Personally, I like the look of a free float hand guard, especially for a shorter barrel...but that's just me. My 11.5" has a YHM free float hand guard on it. Also, is the low profile gas tube on it right now pinned on, or does it have the 2-3 set screws at the bottom? Or is it one of those that has screws on the side and clamp tighter on the barrel as you tighten the screws? A2 front sight blocks are usually pinned on, so you might need to drill in order to install the FSB with the taper pins. If the low profile gas block that's on there right now had set screws at the bottom, you might be able to see the dimples on the bottom of the barrel when you remove it and install the A2 FSB.

Also, most A2 FSB is for a 0.750" diameter barrel...do you know if yours is this? Some bull barrels have a larger diameter at the gas port.

By the way, if you're looking for one...I do have a spare Stag A2 FSB complete with the M4 side sling mount that I don't need. It's in great shape and is the proper "F" marked one (for flat top) to line up with a rear sight. Let me know if you're interested. Good luck.
 
the upper i just bought (off a forum member) is a NEA with a 10.5" barrel. he sold the rail because it was a 12" then bought a new rail by a diferent brand that didnt fit over the gas block, i wonder if it was the gas tube he couldnt get it over..maybe he will chime in.

either way im changing the gas block to a low profile, someone tried to tighten the gas blcok with a cheap allen key and the key broke off in the screw, so im going to have it removed with my specialty dremil and screw remover. also putting on a new gas tube. i have no idea how the gas block is attached (i guess i could check my other NEA but dont want to pull the rail off right now, canada post says ill have the new 10.5 on jan 3rd.

i was looking at the MOE purely to be cheap, so if i have to start buying other stuff to make it work im just going to get a freefloat quadrail. i found a Daniel Defense rail new but out of stock for 175, so ill probably grab that when they come in.
i also found a DD stripped upper for under $150.. so when they get back in stock ill grab that for the next upper build.

i was looking at the YHM rails, how strong are they? do they stay put?
i wasnt planing on a 10.5" build, i wanted to do a 16-18" because i already have a 12.5" NEA, so ill be doing probably a 16-18" upper build in the next few months and to save a few bucks they will share a lower, and maybe even the bcg for now.
 
Yankee Hill rails work just fine, I used one for years. NEA uses set screws on their gas blocks.

If you can find an inexpensive FF you may come up close in price to buying the front sight, handguards and assorted bits necessary to install them.

I think I've got a 7" YHM FF quad rail kicking around if you're interested in that length.
 
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