Quoted:
How much of an accuracy difference does installing a "Free Float" rail system make?
Standard 14.5" M4 Carbine (1:7 twist Chrome Lined, etc.)
Let's say the average M4 carbine shoots 2-3 moa with m855 or m193...will adding a free float rail system make it a 1-2 moa gun?
So much money is spent on rail systems (guilty here as well), but in the end...is there any real advantage over a MOE handguard? (besides operators that need to attach NVG stuff.)
Nothing can make an M4 a 1-2 MOA gun if you're shooting GI ammo. The specs for both M855 and M193 don't get close enough to 1-2 MOA, and a 14.5" barrel is hardly the correct vehicle to produce tight groups, even with high quality, extremely accurate ammo. I do not see free floating helping practical accuracy in an M4.
Get a precision 20" or longer barrel. Get precision ammo. Put a free float on that upper and you can bring your groups down from "really good" to "nobody will believe I shot this!"
If you put a
standard rail system on an M4, you get lots of options for mounting stuff, and you can actually reduce the impact of how much pressure you put on the barrel when you rest it; the bottom rail spreads the pressure out quite well, while a standard handguard makes it focus on the handguard cap.