Newb with newb questions.

[frank4570]

I would switch out the d ring hand gaurd of a free float tube. This is an easy change when doing the barrel
Oh and welcome these guys are a wealth of information.

You just went over my head. Did you mis-type any of those words?

[txgunner00]

You just went over my head. Did you mis-type any of those words?

No- the d-ring is part of a "mil-spec" barrel nut. It's the spring loaded part that holds the hand guards on. Most free float hand guards have their own barrel nut but some clamp onto a mil-spec barrel nut after the d-ring is removed.

[Bwild97]

The proper name for the D-ring, is "Delta" ring. It is held in place onto the barrel nut by a snap ring.

[frank4570]

So, barrel and bolt. AND gas block, free float handguard, delta ring tool. Is that about it?
I wonder how close I am to the price of a whole new upper?

[Schwag173]

Crap. I forgot this rifle has the old m16 style handguard which snaps onto the barrel at the gas block. That can't be good.
Looks like I'll need a gas block, and a different hand guard.
Can a new handguard be just snapped into the ring at the receiver or am I going to have to change that too?

In my opinion: Yes, free-floating is much superior in terms of accuracy. However, some applications don't require THAT much accuracy and in those circumstances free-floating is an unnecessary expense. It sounds like your squirrel-hunting will require the floating, though. Based on advice from LRRPF52 I'm looking at these floated handguards: http://store.troyind.com/Troy_Battle...l1-11bt-01.htm

[CPT.CRAZY]

Thanks for clarification on my post guys. With all the knowledge on this forum, I sometimes forget that there are guys on here that aren't as experienced.