Inexpensive yet serviceable free float

[bugboy]

Anybody have a source/brand for a cheap yet serviceable aluminum free float handguard? I don't need rails and bling, just a tube that I can put a couple of sling studs on.
Heck, I might even put spray on bedliner on it, so it could be a scratched up used one.

[Brandon Sneed]

Young Manufacturing is by far the least expensive I've found and many of us use them. Rifle length is the longest without spending good money for longer length.

[Deleted]

Yankee Hill is the least expensive. They go for about $45.00 Here is a link.
www.joeboboutfitters.com/Free_Float_Hand_Guards_p/yhm-free%20float%20tubes.htm

[steelringer]

Jul 21, 2012 6:59:50 GMT -8 @rjohnson said:

Yankee Hill is the least expensive. They go for about $45.00 Here is a link.
www.joeboboutfitters.com/Free_Float_Hand_Guards_p/yhm-free%20float%20tubes.htm

I have a YHM rifle length on my 5.56 AR and it is pretty solid. It is also inexpensive enough where I wouldn't hesitate to put it in the drill press in order to add a sling swivel stud.

[bugboy]

Thanks. Those are just what I was looking for.

[jshelby3]

midway is selling Model 1 tubes for 35 in both lengths

[rezwillie]

Thanks for the info.

[yardmgr]

Hogue makes a nice overmold handguard for about $75.00---smooth no holes

[Babaganoush]

Jan 8, 2013 12:05:43 GMT -8 yardmgr said:

Hogue makes a nice overmold handguard for about $75.00---smooth no holes

YardMgr

I had one of those Hogues, and while it felt good, it was a true PITA to tighten properly.

For whatever reason, they chose to recess the holes deep inside the barrel nut, and no standard tools will fit in there. They tell you to use a strap wrench, but if your luck was like mine, the first hole to line up with the gas tube hole was nowhere near proper torque. A local gunsmith broke two strap wrenches, and deformed the barrel nut enough to cause issues with threading the hand guard on. He was at the point of writing me a check for the damage caused, when the hand guard finally caught threads enough to screw on.

On the plus side, I never felt any heat from a hot barrel with that hand guard.

I did, however, find some relatively inexpensive vented, knurled rifle length hand guards from Model 1 for about $45. Virtually the same as the more expensive DPMS hand guard, but with nifty knurling and every bit as good in terms of quality.

David

[dr69er]

With those Hogue FF tubes you have to do one of two things to
properly tighten the barrel nut w/o causing damage...

A) Use a old leather belt wrapped around the barrel nut and
a pipe wrench or channel lock pliers and tighten down...

B) Use the combination AR wrench and tighten from back of
of the barrel nut (there is not much room, so go slow).


I have done a few of those Hogues FF tubes and both ways work.

[Babaganoush]

Dr69er:

I suspect that if the gunsmith had more experience with these, the outcome would have been better. Your suggestions are appreciated, and make a great deal of sense. In this case, unfortunately, the combination of the Hogue and a DPMS Sportical Upper (much thicker) precluded the use of an armorer's tool.

The directions provided with the hand guard seem to assume the existence of an impossibly strong, yet gentle, strap wrench (leather or otherwise) to tighten their barrel nuts.

When in doubt, get a bigger pair of pliers!

David

[GLSHOOTER]

Jan 28, 2013 11:03:09 GMT -8 Babaganoush said:

Dr69er:

I suspect that if the gunsmith had more experience with these, the outcome would have been better. Your suggestions are appreciated, and make a great deal of sense. In this case, unfortunately, the combination of the Hogue and a DPMS Sportical Upper (much thicker) precluded the use of an armorer's tool.

The directions provided with the hand guard seem to assume the existence of an impossibly strong, yet gentle, strap wrench (leather or otherwise) to tighten their barrel nuts.

When in doubt, get a bigger pair of pliers!

David

Feel lucky you didn't start when they were all one piece!! ;D

Greg

[Brandon Sneed]

I found a sturdy strap wrench from rigid that works better than any other strap wrench on the market.

Lets just say buy once, cry once is a motto I have for optics and tools.

[dr69er]

Jan 28, 2013 16:03:47 GMT -8 Brandon Sneed said:

I found a sturdy strap wrench from rigid that works better than any other strap wrench on the market.

Lets just say buy once, cry once is a motto I have for optics and tools.

I agree w/ you Brandon, finding a strap wrench sturdy enough
to do the job in question is nearly Impossible...I want to see if
I can find one of those you mentioned locally...Thanks.

[dr69er]

OK, I think this is the model Brandon was talking about...Brandon,
correct me if this is not the model...

www.globalindustrial.com/p/tools/Ratchets-Sockets/wrenches-pipe/model-no-2-strap-wrench-11-34l-1-18-strap-width-3-12-od-tube-capacity?utm_source=google_pr&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Wrenches-Pipe-Plumbing-google_pr&infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=CNeqotSpjLUCFQqk4Aod6yEAqw