Even if you’re new to AR-15 World, you’ve probably heard the term “free-floated handguard” or “free-floated barrel” or sometimes just “free-floated AR-15.” What’s this free-floating all about? Brownells Gun Tech™ Caleb Savant explains it for us. The front of the standard military-type, drop-in AR-15 handguard attaches to the front sight / gas block, which is of course attached to the barrel. A free-floated handguard DOES NOT touch the barrel assembly in any place. Its only contact point on the rifle is where it attaches to the receiver. This means that whatever accessories you mount on the handguard won’t exert pressure on the barrel that could adversely affect accuracy. A free-floated handguard gives you a potentially more accurate AR-15. Unlike a traditional bolt action rifle, an AR-15’s barrel CANNOT be free-floating because of the gas block and gas tube. The rear of the gas tube directly contacts the gas key on the bolt-carrier group. So a “free-floated” AR-15 is one with a free-floating handguard.
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So, there Is no posible AUTOMATIC WEAPONS with free floating barrels?
What about with a piston driven ar?
I sure appreciate y'all's helpful videos.
My odin works adjustble gb touching SLR handguard? Will that be a problem?
Excellent value information dispelling myths and misconceptions 👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Appreciated!
…. I’m still calling it free floating 😤
Thank you. Your videos are excellent.
Simply Fact Explanation
If your gas system is short stroke piston system, the gas tube is not contacting with the bolt carrier gas tube extension. Would that make the AR15 barrel free floated then?
Brownells products purchased from Optics Planet have no warranty
Man! I was hoping it was a free gun found in a floating gun case from one of these frequent boating accidents I'm hearing about.
How to go from free float to classic? I need a video
What do you mean, your AR 15 doesn't have a free floated barrel?! lol
I’ve bumped my free float barrel a few times on the table at the range, does bumping it too hard on accident damage anything? Such as accuracy or anything in that matter ?
Clear explanation of somewhat confusing terms like "Free-Floated". Thank you for is excellent video.
No "free floated" barrels except on the CMMG radial delayed blowback. I have no gas tube on my 8" 5.7 barrel
I appreciate your explanations and myth busting presentations.
is a free-floating hand guard better at heat dissipation?
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Is there an "easy" way to change from a Delta ring/drop-in handguard to a free float handguard?
Just out of curiosity, what if you removed the gas block and tube. Compared group size and impact point to with the block and tube. How much difference would it make ? Could be a fun little experiment.
Always learning… thank you
Hairs to ya. Grow mustache please
The next video should be does it REALLY matter.
I love gun more than my wife
Good Video. You are correct, Free-Floating an AR is not the same as Free-Floating a Rifle.
It is Time for Brownells to do a video talking about Piston driven AR's pick whatever myth you want.
Totally agree. I always wondered when someone would say they had a free floated barrel on their AR 15. I'm thinking what??? Top Notch Hair as always Caleb.
So much great info. Thanks for taking the time to do these videos.
A good counter argument could be made though that because the bcg is in the upper that it's just a temporary support structure behind the center of gravity that it is no different than saying because it has a barrel nut that it's not a free float. The barrel on the AR platform technically isn't as permanent as some bolt guns with pressed in or screwed in barrels. Just like technically the AR is an internal piston gun, but it's always called di. Even in the army the board question for describing the M-16 series rifle was direct impinged, gas operated, magazine fed, shoulder fired rifle with a 1/7 twist capable of single shot or 3 round burst. Or something like that, it's been a few years since I had to remember that question
I don't disagree that the gas tube does technically preclude the AR-15 barrel from being completely free floated, but it's hard to argue with accuracy gain by free floating the hand guard. I've never had one that didn't shoot some measure of better with a free float handguard. Which by and large is why most any rifle will shoot better with a free float barrel.
"Barrel harmonics…."
Got it. I'll have to buy the rock and roll type barrel then…
My rifle's barrel is free floating for sure. My MOA says so especialy when i dont use a scope or wear my specs.
Can't disagree with that but a free float hand guard offers minimum possible interference with barrel harmonics when you consider that a direct impingement gas system offers very little interference, especially compared to a piston driven system. I'm a huge fan of free float hand guards for ARs built for high accuracy.
Free float is simply better. I honestly can’t fathom why they didn’t think of doing this on the original AR15s from the 50s and 60s.
If I grind out the gas key or thin and slightly shorten the gas tube by a few thou, would it then be free floated?
is there a reason manufacturers such as colt do not make free float handguards standard?
I'm not taking this seriously but… the handguard is attached to the upper receiver which is attached to the lower receiver which is attached to the buffer tube… 😀
"You are technically correct; the best kind of correct." – Number 1.0
Its amazing how changing pressure on the free floated handguard shifts POI. It's that thin area behind the barrel nut threads flexing. I'm amazed how much the modified uppers help with this!
Like the upper receiver, what company is that from does anyone know