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justin81
05-04-07, 16:10
Hey everybody. I recently bought my first AR and I love it. I got a Armalite M-15A4 Carbine.

Question is, I was looking for handguards and was told that the carbine length handguard would fit my 16" barrel. I found a 2 piece MI with some extras for a great price on eBay. They got here today only to find out they wont fit. I'm totally confused now and I'm not sure what to do. The original handguard is 9" and the MI is 6". Is it supposed to fit? Am I doing something wrong? Is it because of my picatinny gas block?:confused:

Also I noticed that my gas block has a triangle shaped handguard lip. Is that going to mess things up for me, or are all of them like that?

Thanks is advance guys.

Oh and here is some pics of the handgurads.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/justinr6/Handguardsml1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/justinr6/Handguardsml2.jpg
Snake RAH
05-04-07, 16:50
Your ArmaLite rifle uses midlength handguards, yet the Midwest Industries ones you got off the internet are for carbine length handguards.

Put the ones you got on the internet for sale or swap, and order yourself some midlength ones.
Sam
05-04-07, 18:06
+1 on what snake said.

Your Armalite has a mid length handguard with that triangular end cap. The only railed handguard that I know of, in midlength and triangular end cap is made by Surefire, the M85. It is non freefloat so it's a drop in unit and doesn't require any special tools or skill.

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/24278/sesent/00
justin81
05-04-07, 19:40
Thanks guys. I just read a thread about mid length gas systems. As soon as I read it I realized what I had. You learn something new everyday I guess.

Is there a way to change out the triangular end cap without changing my gas block?
RD62
05-04-07, 20:09
Yeah, you can change out the end cap, but it does require removing and then reinstalling the gas block. If you can't do it a local gunsmith should be able to very quickly and easily.

-RD62
justin81
05-04-07, 21:21
I've done a few searches trying to find someone that sells round end caps, but can't come up with anything. Dose anyone have a link to someone I can get it from. I would like to try to do it myself if it's not too difficult.
PointBlank
05-04-07, 21:45
I've done a few searches trying to find someone that sells round end caps, but can't come up with anything. Dose anyone have a link to someone I can get it from. I would like to try to do it myself if it's not too difficult.


Here ya go my friend.

http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=9&Categoryid=17055&categorystring=10636***10560***8807***11619***
justin81
05-05-07, 12:39
Thank you sir!

Is there any tricks, or anything to get the gas block off.
RD62
05-05-07, 13:22
Yours looks to be pinned in place so just drive out the taper pins holding the gas block to the barrel, and the gas tube roll pin. Then tap the block toward the muzzle. Should come off. If it is taper pins be advised they only come out ONE WAY. I'm not looking at my FSB block right now so I don't remember if it is right to left or left to right, but I'm sure some one will jump in and let you know. If not I'll go look. Oh yeah, and you'll probably have to remove your flash suppressor to slide the gas block off.

-RD62
LOKNLOD
05-05-07, 14:42
I think that Armalite gas block clamps on with set screws. If so, you should be able to undo them and slide it off after unscrewing the flash suppressor.
justin81
05-05-07, 18:58
Alright guys! I did it. Thanks for all the help. I found a round end cap at a local store and got it put on. Now I guess I got to find someone who will want to take my carbine length guards as a partial trade on mid lengths. PM me if interested.

Thanks again.