Rail Problems

[philipeggo]

So im ordering a upper and i seem to have a problem. I want a modular free float rail system, however almost all of them use their own proprietary nut instead of the standrd milspec one. this is a problem for me since i really dont feel comfortable having to remove the barrel to install a forearm yet. Besides the samson and i think the apex are there any others ? I dont need four rails however if there is a good light weight four rail system id consider it as well. while i dont mind spending money on this id rather not have to spend more than 250 on a rail . help please! :confused:

[5pins]

Midwest industries has one where you just cut off the delta ring and spring.

[709bubblehead]

I installed this rail (http://http://troyind.com/battlerails/mrf-battlerails) in carbine length on my AR. It's a 2 piece ff design. You will have to cut off the delta ring to install, but it's not difficult to do if you have a Dremel or similar tool at your disposal...

[ssracer]

I believe the new Troy alpha rail uses the standard barrel nut. It's also light weight with only a top rail and additional rails that you can add where you want. Also has a buit in flip up frot sight. Don't know if they are shipping them yet though.

[philipeggo]

if this helps the upper i am ordering has no front sight post and a low profile gas black , i ordered with it no hand-guards. i do not want to sand/cut anything being as a this is brand new and well yea i have a thing against taking a dremel to a brand new gun. The midwest industries,the troy industries and i believe the daniel defense modular rails are all out of the question.

[ssracer]

The troy alpha rail is a free float but I see that it isn't available yet..

http://troyind.com/%20/battlerails/troy-battlerail-alpha-coming-soon

[Cincinnatus]

The Magpul handguards are not free-float, but will get you some rail space (WITH RAIL ATTACHMENTS) to put on a VFG or a light.
If you want free-float and don't want to cut the Delta Ring, remove the Delta Ring Spring, or worry anything about the FSP or barrel nut, get the Daniel Defense Omega series rails, they free-float with no mods to weapon. Another option is the Troy MRF series, which do require cutting Delta Ring and Spring off, but do not require a proprietary nut or removal of FSP--they are free-float too.

[af22raptor]

You may want to check out Samson Manufacturing STAR rails
http://www.samson-mfg.com/ar-15_html/category/AR-15_Rail_Systems.html
they are free floating rails that use the standart Mil-Spec barrel nut

[philipeggo]

Thanks guys, ive been combing the internet like a mad man trying to figure this thing out, you guys gave me good suggestions.

[Navymid2011]

Check out the Centurion Arms C4 rail. $229 for the carbine length.

The development of this rail has been detailed in this forum. I installed this on my Stag Model 1, and it's proven very solid. Installation wasn't too bad...I simply unpinned my front sight and gas tube, slid them forward (did not remove the flash hider), and then went to town with a dremel on the Delta Ring and handguard cap.

Looks great, and is very solid in addition to being lightweight. I don't really notice a difference over the plastic handguards, honestly.

[philipeggo]

so after combing through every website that sells gear known to man the only product that fits my needs is the DD omega rail, sadly its also at the upper limits of my price range.Awesome. Im a student on a fixed income so i dont really have cash to spend on it , i just hope no one tries to break into my house between now and August when ill be able to afford this mess. Gotta love how a piece of metal that does nothing but sit there costs close to 300 dollars. i have a lower en route , a brand new custom upper i got a great deal on and its going to be a paper weight . ::sigh:: Rant over. :mad:

[NC Buckeye]

This is an additional few bucks, but it lets you have a rifle in the mean time...

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=74282

[philipeggo]

This is an additional few bucks, but it lets you have a rifle in the mean time...

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=74282

good call just thought of that myself.

[Leonidas24]

Be a man grab a hacksaw/dremel and cut the delta ring off! It really serves no purpose with a free float barrel, and after you do that you can buy a Troy, MI, Samson etc that doesn't require you to donate your left kidney.

Before (Not my photo, was an HSA-15)
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3995/stockhsa15.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/stockhsa15.jpg/)

After:
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5474/img1155z.jpg
Shot at 2010-10-20

[philipeggo]

I may just have to do that , to be honest i dont even know what a delta ring normally does i just felt bad taking a saw to a brand new gun.

[philipeggo]

Be a man grab a hacksaw/dremel and cut the delta ring off! It really serves no purpose with a free float barrel, and after you do that you can buy a Troy, MI, Samson etc that doesn't require you to donate your left kidney.

Before (Not my photo, was an HSA-15)
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3995/stockhsa15.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/stockhsa15.jpg/)

After:
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5474/img1155z.jpg
Shot at 2010-10-20

you should be a motivational speaker , now to start looking for a system that doesnt require me to remove my YHM pop up front sight/gas block combo. Its already sighted in from the factory and i have a minimum of tools (or cash with which to buy them) hence the reason im shooting for easy.

[Leonidas24]

you should be a motivational speaker , now to start looking for a system that doesnt require me to remove my YHM pop up front sight/gas block combo. Its already sighted in from the factory and i have a minimum of tools (or cash with which to buy them) hence the reason im shooting for easy.

How long is your barrel and what type of gas system do you have? The Troy MRF series is a two piece free float rail that in my opinion is one of the easiest to install. I have two rails: Troy MRF-MX (10") and a Troy MRF-RX (13.8") that have served me well for two years now with no problems. They're not as light as a DD Lite or Larue but they've gotten the job done over the years. If you have a carbine gas system you'll need the MRF-C 7" rail to install with your flip up sight; if it's mid-length then you'll need the MRF-M 9".

As far as tools go a good hex key set is a good start. You could even get a multi-tool style or foldable hex key set like this (http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00946001000P?vName=Hand+Tools&cName=Nut+Drivers+%26+Hex+Keys&sName=Hex+Keys&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=L3). They're maybe $10 at Lowe's or Home Depot, and depending on how many sizes of keys they have can serve you for a very long time. I wouldn't even begin to worry about buying anything like an armorer's wrench or a upper receiver vise block, they're not necessary for installing a rail like this, or at least I never needed one for just my rails. Eventually you may decide that you want to switch out your barrel, flash hider, etc then a good armorer's wrench will be needed; that is if you are taking off the barrel.

Another good tool investment is a solid screwdriver set with removable bits. I have something like this (http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00949303000P?vName=Hand+Tools&cName=Screwdrivers&sName=Screwdriver+Sets&prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=L7) that I found at Wal-Mart for $15 on sale. It comes with a ton of different bits and is just something that's always handy to have around, for gun work or a broken desk.

[philipeggo]

How long is your barrel and what type of gas system do you have? The Troy MRF series is a two piece free float rail that in my opinion is one of the easiest to install. I have two rails: Troy MRF-MX (10") and a Troy MRF-RX (13.8") that have served me well for two years now with no problems. They're not as light as a DD Lite or Larue but they've gotten the job done over the years. If you have a carbine gas system you'll need the MRF-C 7" rail to install with your flip up sight; if it's mid-length then you'll need the MRF-M 9".

As far as tools go a good hex key set is a good start. You could even get a multi-tool style or foldable hex key set like this (http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00946001000P?vName=Hand+Tools&cName=Nut+Drivers+%26+Hex+Keys&sName=Hex+Keys&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=L3). They're maybe $10 at Lowe's or Home Depot, and depending on how many sizes of keys they have can serve you for a very long time. I wouldn't even begin to worry about buying anything like an armorer's wrench or a upper receiver vise block, they're not necessary for installing a rail like this, or at least I never needed one for just my rails. Eventually you may decide that you want to switch out your barrel, flash hider, etc then a good armorer's wrench will be needed; that is if you are taking off the barrel.

Another good tool investment is a solid screwdriver set with removable bits. I have something like this (http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00949303000P?vName=Hand+Tools&cName=Screwdrivers&sName=Screwdriver+Sets&prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=L7) that I found at Wal-Mart for $15 on sale. It comes with a ton of different bits and is just something that's always handy to have around, for gun work or a broken desk.

Leonidas its a 16" inch barrel with a Carbine length gas system,so id go with a 7" rail. I was considering later on down the road investing in the DPMS armorers tool set http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=511917 But thats still a while away. Ill check out those links you posted , thankfully both home depot and walmart are both down the street so i can run down there real quick and just scoop them up. Maybe ill order a hand guard removal tool as well and keep it around . Keep the suggestions coming the more i have the better , and thanks! Oh any experience with the YHM rails?

[MPK9Cop]

Have you looked at the Daniel Defense Omega Rail? It is a free float and bolts up to the factory barrell nut. Just did one for a buddy, and it turned out sweet! Good Luck Sir!