Difference between free float & non handguards...

[aval64]

Anyone? Researching everything for my first build and I just want to get as much info as possible before making purchases. There is a huge range in cost on handguards, and I just have no idea on direction to take. Right now, the handguards that are catching my eye the most are the Yankee Hills because of price and looks. I'm looking to build a nice, reliable, and not too costly AR. Thanks for any info!

Regards,

-Art

[mltrading]

If you are looking for YHM, get a free float one. FF makes a lot of difference.

There are a lot of good quality FF forearms at resonable prices, such as JP Enterprises. Shoot us an e-mail.

[ar15barrels]

Anyone? Researching everything for my first build and I just want to get as much info as possible before making purchases. There is a huge range in cost on handguards, and I just have no idea on direction to take. Right now, the handguards that are catching my eye the most are the Yankee Hills because of price and looks. I'm looking to build a nice, reliable, and not too costly AR. Thanks for any info!

You need to actually handle the different ones out there.
YHM feels fat in the hand.
It's just a matter of deciding if that bothers you enough to spend the money on slimmer handguards.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

I believe the improved accuracy from a free floated barrel comes from more consistent "barrel harmonics". Google that term and it comes up with a few references e.g. http://www.rifle-accuracy.com/harmonics.htm I was searching for a good slow motion video of barrel movement during firing but didn't find a helpful example. The accurized mini-14 uses an owner adjustable device on their barrel to optimize the harmonics for a given load/bullet, apparently that works also.

[1911su16b870]

Old rifleman saying is you don't want anything touching your barrel when shooting. The free float is attached near the breach end so that nothing touches the barrel further tword the muzzel. AR15barrels' post illuminates the benefits of that.

[bones138]

But realistically how much of a difference is a free float going to make for the average shooter at various distances? The military doesn't use them and they regularly qualify at 500meters so what is the actual benefit? Are they purely for precision shooters? Please someone explain this a bit more since I have some YHM 2 piece and Im happy with them and would like to know how much of an improvement I would see if I upgraded to free-float handguards.

[ar15barrels]

I have some YHM 2 piece and Im happy with them and would like to know how much of an improvement I would see if I upgraded to free-float handguards.

If you are happy with the 2 piece YHM handguards, you are probably not going to notice the difference a freefloat would make.
If you can shoot good enough to notice the difference, you would probably already have freefloat handguards.

Five requirements to an accurate AR in order of importance:
Qualified shooter
Quality barrel
Quality ammo
Quality trigger
Freefloat handguard

If you don't have the first 4 nailed down, the 5th won't matter.

[aplinker]

This is the 1st time I've ever disagreed with you. I'd actually put ammo before barrel. Even crap AR barrels can sub-moa with good ammo. The best barrel made won't be able to hit a cow at 100yds without decent ammo.

If you are happy with the 2 piece YHM handguards, you are probably not going to notice the difference a freefloat would make.
If you can shoot good enough to notice the difference, you would probably already have freefloat handguards.

Five requirements to an accurate AR in order of importance:
Qualified shooter
Quality barrel
Quality ammo
Quality trigger
Freefloat handguard

If you don't have the first 4 nailed down, the 5th won't matter.

[ar15barrels]

Even crap AR barrels can sub-moa with good ammo.

Nope.
I don't think you have ever shot a really crappy barrel.

There's cheap barrels and crap barrels.
Cheap barrels are not necessarily crap, but crap barrels are almost always cheap.