M&P15a Mod Question - Rail

[exxonv]

Hello Everyone,

I have a new (to me) M&P15a that I'd like to add a rail to at some point. The rifle is used (low count), a great shooter! I've added a pic of the rifle so everyone can see the rail.

Never had replaced a rail - not worried about the install, more concerned about buying the wrong thing. I've read about free floating, non-free floating, etc. No idea what most of this is actually...

Any help would be most appreciated!

Thanks!

[HoneyBadger]

A Free Float (FF) handguard doesn't touch the barrel, and is typically associated with higher accuracy. They are also generally more expensive.

I'm sure someone much more knowledgeable will chime in.

[sniper7]

you have a carbine length handguard and gas system. You will need a carbine length rail.

You can choose between drop in and a free float rail system.

drop in allows you to remove the handguards you have now and either replace them the exact same way with a quad rail, or some minor modification would be required such as cutting off the delta ring assembly and the front handguard cap. not really difficult if you have some tape and a dremel.

the free float will require barrel removal. The new handguard will come with a different barrel nut. You will need to remove the front sight base, gas tube, flash hider, and barrel nut to put the new one on. This requires a barrel wrench and a action block (some will say you can do it without but a lot higher risk of damaging the upper receiver).

Once you remove the barrel nut, you put the new barrel nut on which is threaded for your new rail. then you install the rail, get everything lined up, put the gas tube back in, front sight base, and flash hider. It sounds a lot more complicated than it really is.
Several really good writes ups with pictures can be found online or several on here are more than happy to help if you are close enough and have their kind of beer[Beer]

free float is more accurate. but unless you are a tier 1 operator, a competition shooter or something along those lines, you aren't going to see a difference. best thing you can do for accuracy is buy quality ammo.
The rail will allow you to attach a multitude of lights/lasers/bi-pods/vertical grips and all kids of other accessories to your rifle!

[Fmedges]

I have one of these on my AR. You can take them off like regular hand guards, but when they are rock steady. I would defiantly recommend.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Daniel-Defense-EZ-CAR-7-0-Rail-Carbine-Handguard-p/dd%205010.htm

[Sawin]

Yep, Carbine length... remember that. Watch this video. I think it might help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xrcCIokNz8

[DD977GM2]

Get Larue Tactical (http://www.laruetactical.com/) rail system [Beer]

[exxonv]

THANK YOU everyone - wow, plenty of great help on this forum!

I've got some homework to do now!

[sako55]

Check out the Troy Alpha rails. No special barrel nut. Just uses the existing. Bowers Tactical carries them and can install it for you if you by from them. Check the industry Partner section.