Well I am piecing together a new upper and shopping for free float fore ends. Some of the more expensive ones clamp on to the original barrel nut and some of the less expensive ones have a dedicated barrel nut and the tube threads on to that. to my mind the latter arrangement on the less expensive fore end seems more secure. I couldn’t find any thing on this in the forum search. But my question is, “how secure are these clamp on fore ends?” Has anyone experienced slippage with the clamp ons?
I have two Centurion C4 rails, carbine cutout on my 6920 and a 9 inch on my palmetto middy, and a 15 inch Rainier EVO on sionics barreled middy. I’ve also had a Troy and a Fortis in the past. They all utilize the stock barrel nut and have been extremely solid.
Slippage is a relative term. I am running a Samson Evo 12.3 by Ranier Arms, which clamps on the mil spec barrel nut. There is no obvious slippage, but if major pressure is placed on either side of the front end of hanguard, the front sight is moved when seen through the red dot. Measuring with a caliper, the front end moves around .013 relative to the barrel. Not enough to cause me to switch out the hanguard, but am not happy. If the irons sights were my primary, different outlook.
Suspect a system using a proprietary barrel nut with more surface area than mil spec, would give better results. Ranier Arms must think so as well, as they have a newer version, using screws that connect the handguard to the barrel nut, rather than a clamp.
Would like to hear from folks running the KMR as to any deflection with side pressure to front end of handguard.
I’ve had great success with Troy alpha rails. At first I was hesitant in its durability. But after installing it i realized how really simple the interface prevents slippage and rotation. The only thing that it needs is a weight loss plan. Its about 4 or 5 oz. heavier than the BCM or NSR depending on its configuration.
Thanks everyone. All good information, especially since one of my goals is to get the front sight out front a little farther and increase sight radius. I’m liking the looks of the Troy. A light, bipod mount and sling swivel are the extent of my accessorizing ideas. It does seem like the more expensive options all clamp on to the existing barrel nut so there must be an advantage that I’m not seeing.
Certainly not. There are nice rails that use the Standard nut. But if that was the best route, no one would make a different nut. I’m not aware of any complaints on any of the systems as far as nut attachment is concerned… so don’t make that your primary concern.
If light weight is any concern, check out the KMR rail from BravoCompanyUSA.
Can’t go wrong with any of the following: Daniel Defense, Centurion, BCM, Troy, KAC, Geissele… Some clamp on the existing barrel nut, some come with their own, however both are reliable.
I would actually content that most of the really high end rails use a proprietary barrel nut. Other than the C4, is there really even anything in the over $250 price range that uses the stock nut?
The advantage to using the standard barrel nut is not in strength, but in the fact that, at least with a 2-piece rail, you don’t have to remove the FSB/gas block and muzzle device to install the rail. Probably the reason that they are more expensive is that it takes a bit more careful engineering to make a solid mount to the standard nut vs. a proprietary nut that can be oversized with plenty of material to attach to.
So, if you are looking for the most solid mounting, I would suggest one with a proprietary barrel nut, and there are many good options out there.
That makes sense. It’s a new build and even if it were not changing the barrel nut is not an issue for me. There are certainly lots of options for both methods.
I would also like to know about this. My 13" troy alpha moves does in fact wiggle a bit at the end of the handguard if pressure is applied. I’m looking for rock solid and would not mind paying the price for it.
No experience with the BCM rail but if you’re looking for solid I can tell you that the Geissele SMRs are VERY solid. I have the 13" MK2 and if you squeeze the barrel toward the rail there is maybe a millimeter of movement but to be honest, that’s probably the barrel. It is a bit heavy though.
Well I appreciate all the input and I did end up with the ALG Defense Rail. At this point I’m very satisfied with the price and quality. If any issues arise I will share.
Was not happy with that aspect of the Ranier version of the Samson Evo rail, since it screws up the iron sights alignment, so sold it and installed the newer Ranier version, called Force. Rock solid, keymod, very light and reasonably priced! Unlike the Evo, the barrel/rail gaps do not change when side forces are released.
Its a winner for me. Yes, it uses a proprietary barrel nut, but the included bushings allowed me to use my barrel nut wrench to secure the new nut. Got gas tube alignment at 55 ftlbs, so life is good.