Drop in (2 piece) free float handguards.

[Mr McSimon]

Hi guys. This is my first post here, although I've been lurking around for the last few weeks after deciding to finally start my first AR build (thanks to my wife and a stipped lower Christmas present). Before deciding to post I was able to read through and research from this similar thread, among other places, but it's pretty old and I didn't want to necro, so I'm hoping for some updated info. I also hope I'm posting in the correct forums to keep all the mods happy.

To date, I've been collecting up parts, but now I'm stuck on hand guards. I've got a 16" mid length BCM upper barrel assembly with an A2 front sight that I'm not looking to remove or replace, partly because I'd hate to screw up a top notch piece of equipment with my noobiness, and thanks in no small part to this scary thread, but also because I like the look and I wanted a front sight mounted to the barrel/gas block vs. the rail. I really like the idea of drop in free float rails, but the only ones I can seem to find are the Centurion C4, Troy, MI Gen II, and Daniel Defense Omega rails. Of those I think I like the DD or MI versions best, but I was hoping to avoid a quad rail in favor of something a little more smooth and round.

In contrast to those free float versions, I also like the MI 2 piece Keymod or M-Lok drop in's, as they're more the shape and feel I'm looking for, but ofc they're not free float. So now I find myself in the same position as so many others before me, what decision should I make? Does anybody have any advice for me, or can anybody point me towards a free float solution that I've missed or not considered? Am I a dummy to care about the quad rail? There are options for rail covers after all, and plenty of people seem to like them. Sometimes it just takes a different viewpoint to make a good point or change the perspective, so any input is appreciated.

[fallenromeo]

I believe Troy made the Delta rail for exactly this reason, but it is difficult to find now. Of the rails you mentioned, I would go with the C4. Rail is rock solid, relatively light weight, free float, and locks up to a standard barrel nut. They can be difficult to find as well, but of your choices, that would be my first and only. If you want to get away from a Quad and get a more rounded rail (like most out now), there are a ton of offerings in Keymod and MLok, but I don't remember seeing any that would work with a FSP in the way you want it to. If you want to go that route, you may just have to bite the bullet, shave down the FSP, and put a new rail over it.

[Uprange41]

What do you want to mount to the handguard? If you're just mounting a light and maybe some kind of control accessory, the MI drop-in's are fantastic. I have a set of the KeyMod drop-in's that I use to mount an M600U, and they're lighter than polymer handguards, they offer a more streamlined light placement than the polymer choices, and they're thin, which I like.

Of the ones you've listed, I've used the drop-in MI's of course, MI's two-piece free-float quad rails in a couple different lengths, and a couple C4's on rifles that weren't my own. The C4 is a better design than the MI of similar style, so between those, I'd go with Centurion's design. My MI's held up fine, but I will go C4 in the future if I need a two-piece free-float. And between free-float or drop-in on general purpose rifles, I really don't care. If I'm not mounting something that requires being zeroed, and I'm not going to run a bipod or a sling as support, I'll pick whatever offers a form factor I prefer. If you want a slimmer handguard, go with the MI drop-in's or pop the FSB off for a KMR9A or similar.

And don't sweat a BCM FSB removal. I actually quoted BCM's how-to in the thread you linked, and it's a very easy process. I wouldn't, and haven't, let that drive my choice of handguard.

[JasonB1]

Voting on a non drop in free float too. Just make sure you can get the taper pins loose before buying.

That being said, I have a delta rail and it is nice. Just looked a few ebay sellers have the Troy and Vtac deltas listed.

Scratch that advice. Carbine deltas listed. Only 1 used mid delta listed.

[tehpwnag3]

I've always heard that the C4 is the go-to rail for those who don't want to remove the FSB and use the existing barrel nut.

[556BlackRifle]

I've always heard that the C4 is the go-to rail for those who don't want to remove the FSB and use the existing barrel nut.

+1 C4 is the way to go if you want to keep your FSB.

Another option would be to shave the FSB and install another rail that utilizes the standard barrel nut.

[trackmagic]

I have the C4, but dislike the quad-rail section. I have been thinking about milling off the side and bottom rails.

Seems like there would be a market for a modern (keymod, mlock), tight-locking, free-float drop in rail.

[Stickman]

I've always heard that the C4 is the go-to rail for those who don't want to remove the FSB and use the existing barrel nut.

Agreed, I own my fair share of them, and really like them.

[Mr McSimon]

Thanks for the replies everybody, keep 'em coming. There's some great points being made and this thread is very helpful so far.

[Locutus]

Hi guys. This is my first post here, although I've been lurking around for the last few weeks after deciding to finally start my first AR build (thanks to my wife and a stipped lower Christmas present). Before deciding to post I was able to read through and research from this similar thread, among other places, but it's pretty old and I didn't want to necro, so I'm hoping for some updated info. I also hope I'm posting in the correct forums to keep all the mods happy.

To date, I've been collecting up parts, but now I'm stuck on hand guards. I've got a 16" mid length BCM upper barrel assembly with an A2 front sight that I'm not looking to remove or replace, partly because I'd hate to screw up a top notch piece of equipment with my noobiness, and thanks in no small part to this scary thread, but also because I like the look and I wanted a front sight mounted to the barrel/gas block vs. the rail. I really like the idea of drop in free float rails, but the only ones I can seem to find are the Centurion C4, Troy, MI Gen II, and Daniel Defense Omega rails. Of those I think I like the DD or MI versions best, but I was hoping to avoid a quad rail in favor of something a little more smooth and round.

In contrast to those free float versions, I also like the MI 2 piece Keymod or M-Lok drop in's, as they're more the shape and feel I'm looking for, but ofc they're not free float. So now I find myself in the same position as so many others before me, what decision should I make? Does anybody have any advice for me, or can anybody point me towards a free float solution that I've missed or not considered? Am I a dummy to care about the quad rail? There are options for rail covers after all, and plenty of people seem to like them. Sometimes it just takes a different viewpoint to make a good point or change the perspective, so any input is appreciated.

Not my cup of tea, but here's an inexpensive option that seems to fit your desires. http://lmgguns.com/product.utg-pro-4...im-hndgrd-carb