Question about Handguards

[nickj03b]

Right now I have my OLL AR set up as the M4 style. I want to change the hanguards to a railed system but want them to be longer than the standard carbine length. I am basically lookin the transform in into a more precision rifle rather than tactical since that is mainly what I use it for. My question is can I use midlength handguards if I take off the front sight post and move it forward? And is a 16" barrel too short for presicion type shooting?

basically I am lookin for this

[blkA4alb]

Why do you want a railed handguard if your going for a more precision rifle? A free float tube with bipod stud would do fine.

You can get a longer handguard but you would have to get a low profile gas block and a handguard mounted front sight (or optics.) You can shoot well with a 16" barrel, but you would do better with a longer barrel.

Have you thought about just getting a new upper?

Edit since you added the picture...
You can't just move the gas block forward. The barrel is drilled for the gas to come out. This is sounding more like time for a new upper..

[nickj03b]

I have thought about it but didnt want to spend another $500 plus to get one.

[blkA4alb]

I have thought about it but didnt want to spend another $500 plus to get one.

If this upper is not what you want you can sell this upper and try to get back some of your money. With what you have you are not able to replicate what is in the picture.

[nickj03b]

Oh ok..I guess I will just have to stay the way I am or fork out the cash for a new one.. thanks guys!

[wuhungsix]

Looks like a "dissapator" style set up in the picture. And like most dissy uppers I think they usually have a heavy barrel under the handguards. I too have been looking for a upper like that but all the usual companies i.e. RRA, Del-ton, CMMG, J&T, don't really have exactly what I want. I am looking for a Dissy upper with A2 front sight, SS barrel, and AK style muzzle break. Anybody know were I can look?

[NwG]

You don't have to get the whole upper.. There is a few ways to do it..

One way would be to get a rifle legnth free float tube (like others have suggested) and replace you gasblock with a low-profile one or cut down the one you have now.. The gasblock would be under the tube and you could use a rail mounted front sight..

The problems it that most quality FF tubes are not cheap.. If you are going to drop that kind of money you may just want to buy another upper...

[Omega13device]

You mention $500 as your limit. I'm not sure what you mean by "precision" then. You could go with all low-end parts and if you're lucky you could end up close to $500, but you'll still just have a plinker that isn't any more a precision upper than your current one.

If all you want is something within your budget that looks badass, then I would stick with your existing upper and look for the best deals on a low-profile gas block, rail system and rail-mounted front sight. You might be able to get the parts and have it all assembled on your existing barrel for $500.

[nickj03b]

I know that $500 will not get high end parts. I was only throwing $500 out there because that would be a bare minumum for a new upper.

[Omega13device]

Ah, ok. Still, you'd better get started saving your pennies. You'd be safe to budget $1k-1.5k for a real precision upper and another $1k for a scope. With careful research you could do it for less than that, but it's not a bad assumption to start with while you begin your research.