Benefit of freefloat handguard?

[1986s4]

I am pondering the question of installing a free float handguard on one of my carbines. It's use is competition, training and general purpose. Currently it is composed as follows: Centurion HF SOCOM profile barrel, Colt upper receiver with Magpul SL handguard. The front sight is a traditional A frame. Currently nothing is bolted to the handguard save for a sling loop. Other than bolting things onto the handguard my understanding is that a free float can render better accuracy. So the question is will the accuracy gained be worth the cost [$200+] of the handguard?
Thanks

[titsonritz]

It helps prevent POI shift while bearing down on a barricade/bipod or cinching up on a sling.

[17K]

For me it makes a place to put the sling mount at the rear of the rail, allows the light to be mounted further out and eliminates the need for a VFG. It’s less parts than the FSB/cap arrangement, lighter, and just all around easier to deal with. The free float aspect is an added bonus but not the primary reason for that type of handguard.

[Disciple]

So the question is will the accuracy gained be worth the cost [$200+] of the handguard?

You don't need to spend that much. Possibilities include Primary Arms house brand 15" for $120 (https://www.primaryarms.com/expo-arms-m-lok-combat-series-handguard-black-15), or Midwest Industries if you wait for a sale (https://gun.deals/product/midwest-industries-free-float-handguard-m-lok-slim-line-12625-9999).

[NWcityguy2]

A free-float handguard will prevent POI shifts when it doesn't have the same level of support compared to when it was zeroed. I measured the results with my non-free-floated AR upper and saw a 4" POI shift down when shooting with a magazine monopod. When the handguards were supported, either firmly by a solid object or softly with a winter jacket, there was no POI shift.

The price of the free-float handguard is irrelevant when it comes to this advantage.

Edit: I should add that the 4" POI shift was at 100 yards

[MistWolf]

Here's my take-
-You won't know if a free float tube will be a benefit to you until you shoot your AR. Go shoot your AR as is until you discover how a free float tube will benefit you or the standard drop in handguards work well enough.

Most of my ARs sport MagPul Slimline handguards and they work great. However, I have two builds I need FF tubes for. One is an 11.5 precision upper. The other is an 8.5 inch 300 BLK upper. The precision upper will get a FF tube because it's a precision upper. The 300 BLK will get a FF tube because it has a pistol length gas system. It currently has a Magpul carbine length hand guard I modified to fit, but it isn't as secure as I'd like.

Go shoot your AR as is. Soon enough you'll know if you want a FF tube.

[1168]

For me it makes a place to put the sling mount at the rear of the rail,
For anyone using with M4 RAS, grab a huge zip-tie and make a loop in the front end of the sling, and zip it ahead of the receivers.




A free-float handguard will prevent POI shifts when it doesn't have the same level of support compared to when it was zeroed. I measured the results with my non-free-floated AR upper and saw a 4" POI shift down when shooting with a magazine monopod. When the handguards were supported, either firmly by a solid object or softly with a winter jacket, there was no POI shift.

The price of the free-float handguard is irrelevant when it comes to this advantage.
This. I’ve found meaningful shifts going from prone supported to prone unsupported with .mil guns. A free-float is not immune to shifts, but much less tendency.

[VIP3R 237]

It helps prevent POI shift while bearing down on a barricade/bipod or cinching up on a sling.

I was cranking it hard to prove a point, but by pulling the sling I saw a 4 moa shift at 100y.

[markm]

There was a great thread on this 5 plus years back when we had some more SME's posting actively. Not only is the POI shift a piece of it. There's some barrel heat implications too.

[vicious_cb]

It helps prevent POI shift while bearing down on a barricade/bipod or cinching up on a sling.

Bingo.

Forget the accuracy claims, you'll only see that if you are shooting exclusively off the bench.

[markm]

KevinB was in the original thread. I think he works for KAC now. Worth searching for.

[1986s4]

Very interesting replies, thank you all. If there are any more reasons to get a free float guard please chime in. Most of my shooting is competition, practice and zero checking [due to ammo prices a lot more zero checks than training/practice]. My favorite competition these days is 2 gun which requires many interesting positions. I use the magazine as a monopod quite a bit, shooting through barricades, prone, horizontal, etc. Using rocks as a rest and other things. From the responses it seems a free float tube could eliminate some variables.

[gaijin]

It helps prevent POI shift while bearing down on a barricade/bipod or cinching up on a sling.

What Tits said. A longer FF Rail can do away with having to place barrel directly on an awkward, hard surface- which fuks up barrel harmonics/accuracy.

[RUTGERS95]

centurion has some nice deals right now but you can get a good handguard for less than $100

Handguards are a diminishing return item, you don't need gucci and you don't need to spend a lot. The main objective is to alleviate any stress on the barrel to avoid poi as stated. I think Centurion has their cmr rails for just over a hundred and their newer mlok rail (blem) for 115. I have two of the blems and I can't find the imperfection

[Mysteryman]

KevinB was in the original thread. I think he works for KAC now. Worth searching for.

I believe he is with S&W now..