I’m trying to decide whether or not to add a free-float rail system to my Colt 6720. This is a self-defense rifle and not for competition.
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Only if you plan on using a magnified optic, using match ammo, and shooting further than 300 yards.
Longer answer: I would still look into one as I really hate the 7" handguards that the Colt 6720 comes with. It can’t hurt anything except your wallet.
If you can’t fathom a self-defense situation where you’d be justified making a 250 yard shot, I’d say no. But I would also say that your skill level with the rifle in a self-defense situation will improve if you compete, and it could help you there.
My M4s are 50-300 meter platforms. Any money I put into hitting targets further than that would go into my bolt guns.
A standard M4 non-free float in the hands of a competent shooter can effectively be combat effective out to 500+ meters with good optic.
No doubt the free float helps and if you are Charlie Potatoes go ahead and spend all the money you want.
Interesting timing for your post. I was debating the same question when considering the purchase of a new 6720. I decided that I did want this configuration; LW, carbine gas system rifle with a FF rail. I was getting ready to buy the 6720 when I stumbled upon the Daniel Defense DDM4V2LW. Already has the DD Omega X Free Float Rail attached.
I picked it up new from Rainier Arms for $1235 including shipping. Problem solved for me and at a price a little less than doing the ala carte thing on the Colt. Still want the Colt someday too…
Doesn’t Colt make a 6720R model that already has a ff rail factory installed?
I swear I’ve seen one somewhere.
ETA: Sorry, I was reading and posting from my iPhone and overlooked that the OP already has a 6720.
I don’t think the main benefit of a rail on a defensive carbine has much to do with ‘long range accuracy’. Obviously that’s a plus for that role, but I’d see the benefit coming from increased rail space for grabbin’ on to, or to brace on stuff without disrupting point of impact. Of course there’s the ease of placing lights and grips too.
I’m not saying handguards are vastly inferior/insufficient, just that there are other benefits to rails.
Just my two cents…
Those would be well spent pennies.
I see your two cents and raise you a nickle.
I doubt that any pressure placed on the handguards of a non free floated rail would make any difference at self defense ranges. If the idea is to add more real estate for gripping and/or mounting stuff then for a 6720 you would be better off spending money on a standard drop in rail system instead of the extra time and money to replace it with a free float system.
Are there really any good extended rails that are not FF? I think that most people FF their CQB/HD carbines by default almost because the only worthwhile extended rails are FF. That was how it worked for me, and I’ve never thought, “damn, I love all of this rail space but I sure hate all of these potential accuracy benefits”.
I guess for me it is a budget thing, I would rather spend the money on other stuff, ammo for one thing. like I said, you pay extra for the FF handguards most likely then you gotta pay for installation, unless you have already forked over some $ for the tools to install them yourself. Different priorities for different folks. The OP I am sure will weigh what benefits they want, not what I want.
I agree with you on most points. There are things like front sight blade mounts and the various MOE handguard mounts that can get you what you need for less. Just IMO, If I were going to spend the money on a quality rail, I would go ahead and get an extended length FF. There are some like the Centurion C4 that are easily home installed with basic tools also.
FF rails may be useful for those who need rail space in that configuration, for those adding sling or bracing pressure to the front end, for those who want to eek out every bit of possible precision and are capable of producing it, or combinations thereof.
The 6720R appears to be a reality.
Disagree, but you’re not alone in this misconception.
ETA:
Just looked down the thread and see that SpookyPistolero, Failure2Stop, Preliator, Skintop911 and others have it sorted.
Stintop, where’d you see that model? Anyone know anything about the Colt rail? I could just see them taking the nice, light, 6720 and adding a 28 oz. rail system. They already mucked it up with that abortion of a stock.
ETA2:
I also agree with Preliator that if you have to choose between FF rail and training, choose training.
Once again, Colt is teetering dangerously close to the edge of getting it right.
Google pull. I think that image is from Lipseys. I found a reference that there were only 1500 made.
ETA2:
I also agree with Preliator that if you have to choose between FF rail and training, choose training.
Yup, the benefits of a FF are lost on the overwhelming majority of shooters.
I know, right? My god it’s frustrating!
They seem obsessed with listening to all the wrong people when it really matters.
If that were a DD M4 rail and a MOE stock they would have the single best first-time buyer AR carbine. Just enough aftermarket to appeal to the Lego guys and all the right parts to get those people a quality gun in spite of themselves. Sell it with a PRO, X300, and BFG VCAS and call it the TYV edition. Lol
AMEN BROTHER!
This gun hasn’t changed since this was written.
http://www.tacticalyellowvisor.net/8301/12901.html
well, minor changes. The sling is now a sewn-in QD version, the light has been updated to a Surefire Scout LED, and the Redimag has been removed while I decide if I want to put the aluminum model on. Oh, and BG16 went to BG17. Sounds like a lot of changes but functionally they are miniscule.
3.5 years ago. With a whole HOST of higher-speed, more-hyped, “better” parts through my hands to try out.
I wish the M4 had QD sling swivel sockets, rotation limited, front and rear but that’s about it.
I just picked up this Daniel Defense today. I tried to find out more about the 6720R but didn’t find much before I stumbled upon the DD M4V2LW. While not a Colt and I love Colts, this is a great gun for me. I don’t know if this was a special just for Rainier Arms but it’s not on the DD website and the gun shop I had it transferred to didn’t know about it either… I wasn’t sure I was going to get as good of price on the 6720R if I could find one and I had reservations about the rail without seeing one in person. And, to upgrade the 6720 would have been more too.
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2546
