12-03-2018, 03:05 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-03-2018, 04:00 AM by NugginFutz.)
I only have 2 AR's without free float hand guards. One is the MP 15/22, which hardly counts.
The other is a faux 5.56 Dissipator, with a dummy FSGB just behind the flash hider, and a carbine length gas system hidden underneath the rifle length Magpul MOE hand guard. Barrel is an H-Bar Stoner special, from MidwayUSA.
This rifle started out with the carbine length MOE, but I switched it out for the rifle length hand guard to improve control due to the extra grip surface. In addition to being easier to control, off hand, the polymer is comfortable, summer or winter. This rifle is capable of hitting 4" gongs at 200 yards, off hand, using an Aimpoint Micro T1 (2 moa dot).
On a lark, I mounted a bipod to the lower rail and shot for groups at 100. Hits were definitely higher than previously seen off hand or off a bag. (~2-3"). POI shift was directly proportional to the loading of the bipod.
In a hunting situation, where I would either be shooting off hand or perhaps using a handy tree branch, I wouldn't sweat the shift. If, on the other hand, I were to use sticks or a bipod, I would be concerned about loading if shooting past 100.
YMMV
ETA: This hand guard, with delta ring, barrel nut, etc, weighs just a bit more than the Free Float tube and barrel nut on a similar rifle. Maybe if I was using a quad rail, or had stacked it up with accessories, it would weigh more, but I can't see free float as carrying a weight penalty, by itself.
The other is a faux 5.56 Dissipator, with a dummy FSGB just behind the flash hider, and a carbine length gas system hidden underneath the rifle length Magpul MOE hand guard. Barrel is an H-Bar Stoner special, from MidwayUSA.
This rifle started out with the carbine length MOE, but I switched it out for the rifle length hand guard to improve control due to the extra grip surface. In addition to being easier to control, off hand, the polymer is comfortable, summer or winter. This rifle is capable of hitting 4" gongs at 200 yards, off hand, using an Aimpoint Micro T1 (2 moa dot).
On a lark, I mounted a bipod to the lower rail and shot for groups at 100. Hits were definitely higher than previously seen off hand or off a bag. (~2-3"). POI shift was directly proportional to the loading of the bipod.
In a hunting situation, where I would either be shooting off hand or perhaps using a handy tree branch, I wouldn't sweat the shift. If, on the other hand, I were to use sticks or a bipod, I would be concerned about loading if shooting past 100.
YMMV
ETA: This hand guard, with delta ring, barrel nut, etc, weighs just a bit more than the Free Float tube and barrel nut on a similar rifle. Maybe if I was using a quad rail, or had stacked it up with accessories, it would weigh more, but I can't see free float as carrying a weight penalty, by itself.
If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?