I've got a basic Bushy A2 carbine. I'm going to be swapping out the upper reciever for a flat top. While thats happening I'm also wanting to do a free float hand guard and possibly a flip up front sight so that I can attach optics directly to the flat top.

My first question is really about the handguards. I see alot of companies selling the free floaters. I want a quality one piece that will get the job done for a long time. I see alot of pictures and not alot of details on if they are really any good. I wouldnt be opposed to having a rail extending along the top of the handguard but it isnt necessary. Not looking for the mall ninja special.

The other question is about the front sight. I dont want to have it blocking my optics so I'm wondering if there is a good flip up front sight to use. Does anyone make one that is integral to the gas block? I see the YHM and such that are 2 piece clamp on units but I question how well those would function. Do I really just need to get a railed gas block and mount a flip up to do it properly?

Any help would be appreciated, and also keep in mind I'm on a light budget. I dont really wanna pay over 100 bucks for each item if I can avoid it.

Noob Tag.  I wanna know too!

ZM

PRI makes a flip-up front sight post with integrated gas block (the gas block IS the flip-up front sight) you can also choose the option of a rail mounted Flip-up, there are several of those to choose from as well. As for free floaters, there are several to choose from Daniel Defense, Yankee Hill (YHM), PRI, Rock River.....the list goes on. Now as for  under $100 ....well, good luck. You can go here and check out some of the options as well as some of the other goodies. Good luck and Happy New Year.

Here's an idea I'm working on now...

I'm putting on a JP Gas Block and then putting a YHM Gas Block Mounted Front Flip Sight (YHM-9584) on top of that.

Also, I'm putting on a YHM Customizable Free Float Forearm System (part number varies by length) that you can mount rails to in various locations and various lengths.

There are a couple of economical Free Float Forearm choices by RRA and Hogue listed on the Rock River Arms site.

Good Luck!
RS

Quoted:

Welcome!  

...and possibly a flip up front sight so that I can attach optics directly to the flat top.

Huh?  Optics on the flat-top work just fine with a normal front sight post.  You might choose to replace it, but it is purely a personal choice.  There is no -need- to use a flip-up sight when using optics.

I dont want to have it blocking my optics

If you are using a non-magnified optic such as an Aimpoint or EOtech then you are supposed to use them with both eyes open and the sight won't be in the way.  If you are using a magnified optic above 3 or 4 x then the front sight will not be visible, or at most will be a faint shadow in teh lower part of the sight picture.

Does anyone make one that is integral to the gas block?

PRI, GG&G, KAC (good luck on that one though) make them.  YHM used to make one, although they may have dropped it from teh line.

I dont really wanna pay over 100 bucks for each item if I can avoid it.

Then don't waste money on a flip-up front sight.  Leave it as-is for now and if you decide that it's really a probelm them you can have it replaced at a later date.

Quoted: Quoted: Welcome!   ...and possibly a flip up front sight so that I can attach optics directly to the flat top. Huh?  Optics on the flat-top work just fine with a normal front sight post.  You might choose to replace it, but it is purely a personal choice.  There is no -need- to use a flip-up sight when using optics. I dont want to have it blocking my optics If you are using a non-magnified optic such as an Aimpoint or EOtech then you are supposed to use them with both eyes open and the sight won't be in the way.  If you are using a magnified optic above 3 or 4 x then the front sight will not be visible, or at most will be a faint shadow in teh lower part of the sight picture. Does anyone make one that is integral to the gas block? PRI, GG&G, KAC (good luck on that one though) make them.  YHM used to make one, although they may have dropped it from teh line. I dont really wanna pay over 100 bucks for each item if I can avoid it. Then don't waste money on a flip-up front sight.  Leave it as-is for now and if you decide that it's really a probelm them you can have it replaced at a later date.

+1

and the YHM gas blocks w/ flip down front sights are still around--check around the EE

In reality, even the standard sight forging is not visible in some optics even if you keep the the original.  what I'd do is try the optic and see if you a. can see the sight in the picture and b. if it bothers you if it does.

Hoplophile:
...and possibly a flip up front sight so that I can attach optics directly to the flat top.
Huh?  Optics on the flat-top work just fine with a normal front sight post.  

 Can I reword this question to suit my own needs?  I have a DPMS upper with a flat top.  I put on a small scope (picatinney mount) and all I can see is the front site post in it.  Obviiously I need some kind of "spacer?" to elevate the scope above the front site.  Any suggestions
Thanks
Still-Learning

Ok my understanding was that if the optic was mounted on the flat top it would be directly in line with the front sight post. I dont see how it could work from looking at mine. I suppose I could always try it. I will be using a 4X21 Cmore/Colt scope and possibly a red dot later.

I was looking at the YHM free float carbine handguards on sale from AIM for 60 bucks shipped. They are the plain ones with the holes tapped to add rails if you want. I saw the YHM flip up that looks like of like its a one piece together with gas block but they didnt really fully describe it as such. I was originally wanting the hogue but didnt realize its a 2 piece. I want a solid 1 piece setup.

Quoted: Hoplophile: ...and possibly a flip up front sight so that I can attach optics directly to the flat top. Huh?  Optics on the flat-top work just fine with a normal front sight post.    Can I reword this question to suit my own needs?  I have a DPMS upper with a flat top.  I put on a small scope (picatinney mount) and all I can see is the front site post in it.  Obviiously I need some kind of "spacer?" to elevate the scope above the front site.  Any suggestions Thanks Still-Learning

- You need to use a mount that places it at about the same height as teh iron sights, otherwise the cheek weld will suck.
- You don't say what scope.  If it is non-magnified then keep both eyes open.  If it's magnified and anything more than 2 or 3 x then you shouldn't see much more than a 'shadow' in the bottom of the view.

Quoted: Ok my understanding was that if the optic was mounted on the flat top it would be directly in line with the front sight post. I dont see how it could work from looking at mine. I suppose I could always try it. I will be using a 4X21 Cmore/Colt scope and possibly a red dot later.

Hold the scope (or a pair of binoculars or anything else magnified) up to your eye then put a finger of your other hand in front of the optic and a few inches away, like it would be when mounted.

Iraq is full of Americans carrying weapons that have a fixed front sight and some kind of optic, usually either a 4x ACOG or a 0x Aimpoint or EOtech.  If it's working for all of them...

I was originally wanting the hogue but didnt realize its a 2 piece. I want a solid 1 piece setup.

1 piece handguards are a PITA.  Since it is all one piece you can't use a normal barrel wrench and have to use a strap wrench.  If the barrel nut takes more than 50 or so ftlbs of torque to align the holes for the gas tube then you'll have a real chore ahead of you.  With a 2 piece handguard you can use a normal barrel wrench to get the nut installed and aligned then you can use a strap wrench to take the tube to 25 or 30 ft lbs which is plenty to keep it in place.

BTW, all of the YHM handguards are 2-piece designs.  There are very, very few 1 piece designs on the market and none of them have any kind of rails.

Ok well I have no problem trying the scope thing. I dont mind some blur.

As far as the handguards, I was told the one piece were better by a family member who may end up assembling this for me. I guess I'll have to do more research then.  My understanding was that the 2 piece units were the short cut easy way out of it. If the two piece is ok, then is there any other places I should be looking for a quality one? Maybe I can take a second look at the hogue.

I tell you what, I've never been so confused on any other guns or even car stuff like when I try to research AR stuff. Theres a zillion different ways to do everything.

Quoted: As far as the handguards, I was told the one piece were better by a family member who may end up assembling this for me. I guess I'll have to do more research then.  My understanding was that the 2 piece units were the short cut easy way out of it. If the two piece is ok, then is there any other places I should be looking for a quality one? Maybe I can take a second look at the hogue.

My guess is a vocabulary issue.  When some people refer to "2-piece handguards" they are referring to non-free float railed handguards that simply replace the existing plastic handguards.  These are a quick and easy way to add rails and/or increase the amount of ventilation to aid barrel cooling but they do nothing to free-float the barrel.

Yea I have not had a chance to try the hogue but I am already a fan of their products. I put a hogue on 4 pistols and the first thing I did when I bought my AR was install a hogue grip on it. You know what really had me crackin up was when I went to sears. I was shopping for a heavy duty impact wrench and I found that the Ingersol Rand impacts had hogue slip ons from the factory! I really wish Hogue made shift knobs so I could put them on both my cars.

Anyways, in all honesty I like my factory plastic standard AR handguards fine except they obviously dont free float. I dont want to get something uncomfortable. I saw where people mentioned that the YHM quad rails were fairly large around. When I fondle my rifle I feel that I want it as small around as possible. I came across impact guns website where they were selling the hogues for about 60 bucks, but they were only available in OD rather than plain black. I'll have to look around some more. I do appreciate you guys sharing your info with me. Its comforting coming from places like Glock Talk...need I say more?

Quoted:
Quoted:
Hoplophile:

- You need to use a mount that places it at about the same height as teh iron sights, otherwise the cheek weld will suck.

Hoplophile
thanks for the answer.  The mount is obviously what this noobie is missing.  What would be ideal is a monut that would maybe still allow the use of the front site and fold up rear site as well.  Any suggestions where to look?
Learning

LaRue SPR.

Quoted: Any suggestions where to look?

There are so many places to look that I don't even know where to begin.  Any "AR15" scope mount will work.  Take a look through any of the -numerous- threads on here and you'll find pictures of different options.  Go to the web site of just about anybody who sells AR parts and you'll find some for sale  

Larue, KAC, ARMS, GG&G, Armalite, RRA, YHM, Badger, Leupold, Warne, and many others all make tall rings and/or 1-piece mounts that will work.  Many of them also make risers of one type or another that can be used with normal rings.

Hey hoplophile your avatar kicks arse!