Question about rail systems/hand guards

Varjeal · October 3rd, 2011, 01:29

I've a question or two about rail systems/hand guards, in particular "free floating" ones.

1. How exactly are they attached?
2. I currently have a KA M4 with TM front end, do I need special parts or mods in order to have such a beast? In particular I'm looking at something like this:
http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...oducts_id=1945
3. Will this eliminate the "squeakiness" that normally comes with plastic handguards?
4. Does this affect having iron sights? ie. will I need to switch to some other type of optics?

I'm not so much looking for rail space as I am in reducing the amount of noise the current and original plastic makes and the rare opportunity for the hand guards to pop out of place (has happened three times in one season already, very annoying).

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

HKGhost · October 3rd, 2011, 02:41

With most "free float rails", it's attached onto a barrel nut which in hand is attached to the upper receiver. Each rail system will have it's own barrel nut to mount the rail/hand guard. Some barrel nuts will require special wrenches to tighten them, but you'll have to be creative if you don't want to buy them. Most rail system are pretty solid and doesn't squeak like stock plastic hand guards. Depending on the length of the rail system you get, it shouldn't affect your iron sights. If you got a M4A1, you'll need to use a 7" rail to keep using your stock iron sight post. Do some research on the rail system you like and be sure to buy one that will fit and accommodate your sights.

Varjeal · October 3rd, 2011, 10:50

Fair enough. Can I safely assume then that most free float systems come with a barrel nut or is that generally a seperate item?

SuperHog · October 6th, 2011, 10:10

Floating rails are very nice if you mount a lot of attachments to it, it will never affect the barrel. Remember on a real steel, the barrel is steel. On a airsoft M4, the outer barrel is alum and can be tweaked easily.

Each barrel nut supplied with the different rail requires a different size wrench. If you don't use a proper wrench, the barrel won't be properly tighten down.

A universal nut wrench that can be used on the buffer tube as well as any barrel nut in the future.

http://arniesairsoft.co.uk/news2/31627

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October 3rd, 2011, 01:29	#1
Varjeal Banned Trader rating Join Date: May 2011 Location: Beaumont, Alberta	Question about rail systems/hand guards I've a question or two about rail systems/hand guards, in particular "free floating" ones. 1. How exactly are they attached? 2. I currently have a KA M4 with TM front end, do I need special parts or mods in order to have such a beast? In particular I'm looking at something like this: http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...oducts_id=1945 3. Will this eliminate the "squeakiness" that normally comes with plastic handguards? 4. Does this affect having iron sights? ie. will I need to switch to some other type of optics? I'm not so much looking for rail space as I am in reducing the amount of noise the current and original plastic makes and the rare opportunity for the hand guards to pop out of place (has happened three times in one season already, very annoying). Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

October 3rd, 2011, 02:41	#2
HKGhost Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mississauga, ON	With most "free float rails", it's attached onto a barrel nut which in hand is attached to the upper receiver. Each rail system will have it's own barrel nut to mount the rail/hand guard. Some barrel nuts will require special wrenches to tighten them, but you'll have to be creative if you don't want to buy them. Most rail system are pretty solid and doesn't squeak like stock plastic hand guards. Depending on the length of the rail system you get, it shouldn't affect your iron sights. If you got a M4A1, you'll need to use a 7" rail to keep using your stock iron sight post. Do some research on the rail system you like and be sure to buy one that will fit and accommodate your sights. __________________ Please email me as I'm not on ASC too often. Custom Build \| Upgrades \| Repairs \| Maintenance Contact: ghostgunwork@gmail.com / Private Message

October 6th, 2011, 10:10	#4
SuperHog Trader rating Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario	Floating rails are very nice if you mount a lot of attachments to it, it will never affect the barrel. Remember on a real steel, the barrel is steel. On a airsoft M4, the outer barrel is alum and can be tweaked easily. Each barrel nut supplied with the different rail requires a different size wrench. If you don't use a proper wrench, the barrel won't be properly tighten down. A universal nut wrench that can be used on the buffer tube as well as any barrel nut in the future. http://arniesairsoft.co.uk/news2/31627 Last edited by SuperHog; October 6th, 2011 at 11:22..

October 3rd, 2011, 10:50	#3
Varjeal Banned Trader rating Join Date: May 2011 Location: Beaumont, Alberta	Fair enough. Can I safely assume then that most free float systems come with a barrel nut or is that generally a seperate item?

Question about rail systems/hand guards

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