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Posted: 11/2/2004 11:30:14 AM EDT
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Noob here.... I've read as much as I can find, but I'm still a tad confused on some subjects. The big ones are handguard length, free floating, barrel choice, etc. 1) I've seen three different length handguards. Once I pick a particular length, what else is affected? What are the benefits/drawbacks of the different lengths? 2) If I choose to use a free floating handguard, other than the handguard, what else do I need? Do I need a "free float sleeve" or just the handguard? 3) In choosing between the different handguards, does that affect my barrel choice? What's the difference between a C.A.R barrel and M4 barrel? What's this "Dissipator" barrel I keep seeing? Is there any difference other than front sight placement? My current plan is a 16" barreled AR with collapsible stock and A2 upper. I'm going with standard iron sights for now. I haven't decided if I want a M-4, C.A.R, or and A2 handguard and don't really care, I just want to buy the right parts. I'm building it from parts, no preassembled uppers or lowers. I'm starting with .223, but will add a 50Beowulf upper half in the future... thanks for the help, Chris |
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1) 20" IS LONG. max velocity. 16" is short. max indoor length. low velocity. intermediate (i think they look the best.) 2) not sure. i think this depends on the particular free float hand guard. the one i am familiar with has a barrel nut and a tube shaped hand guard? 3) C.A.R barrel and M4 (profile an m4 has a funny cut halfway down the length of the barrel for a grenade launcher. a "Dissipator" barrel has a 16" gas block located under the hang guard and a front sight block on the end so you get a 20" sight radious and 16" velocity your plan 16" barrel collapsible stock A2 upper sounds like you are building a C.A.R. i would buy a C.A.R. kit from model 1 sales click me |
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1: since the ar was made w/ standard handgurads and 20 in bbl, the gas tube had to be slightly redisigned (shorten) for the 16in CAR-15 way back when--this led to a higher rate of fire and increaded extraction wear(someone correct me if i'm wrong) ; but in semi-auto, i see no problems the standard length might give slight benefits, bit i like the carbine 2:not sure; i stick w/ regular bbls and slip on handguards..... 3:no not really; the only difference b/w the m-4 and CAR bbls are the lighter weight and contour of the m-4; dissipators use a standard handguard and gas tube (i think) and has a full sight radiuys get 5.56 chambering; chrome lined bbl; A2 is alright |
Here, I'll give it a try.
Standard 20" barrel and 16" disipator barrels use the standard or long length hand guards. There are two types of 16" barrels, midlength and standard carbine. The difference is the midlength has the gas port two inches closer to the muzzle. This one uses mid length hand guards. The standard carbine barrel uses the short hand guards. The longer the front site is away from the rear site the more accurate or precise the sight picture and aiming. This is the benefit of the 20" and 16" dissapator barrels. The mid length has a better sight radius than the 16" standard carbine. Other benefits are a better gas pulse and enhance reliability of a standard 16" carbine barrel (at least as touted by ArmaLite its developer). The midlength also has a bigger front area to grab onto and will take a bayonet.
If you get a complete set up that uses the stock hand guards, all you need is the hand guards. Some Free Float Handguards (FFH) are also made as one or two piece units and are themselves the handguard. Most of these type come with Picintinny rails (looks like a scope base) so you can mount all kinds of do dads and don't dads, not to mention chromium go fasters.
Absolutely. 20" and 16"dissapator=long, 16" mid=midlength, 16" standard carbine or C.A.R and/or M4=short. The only real difference between the CAR and M4 is the M4 has a cut out for the M203 granade launcher mount. There are two types of dissipators. The benefit to them is the longer sight radius and more handle. One type uses a low profile gas block hidden under the hand guards and a full front sight base out front. This sight base is non functioning as far as the gas system goes. I have one made from a standard 20" barrel cut down to 16.25". It functions fine. YMMV.
Check this barrel out... www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=121&t=229035 Edited to add that where ever you read the word barrel include the words "and appropriate gas tube". |
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Thanks for the info! I think I'm going to go with a 16" lightweight barrel (5.56, chromed) and C.A.R. handguards. The Dissipator looks like a good idea, but it just looks weird to me. Now that Kerry has lost, I can take my time on this. I thought I was going to be ordering parts on my CC this morning. Chris |
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