AR Sponsor
Posted: 3/12/2008 9:32:57 AM EDT
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I'm new here and have an A2 with no mods, I keep hearing about free float tube on the AR platform and want to ge a ball park of, how much of an improvement will adding a free float tube bring to an AR? |
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Really depends on a number of variables - how far away are your targets? Do you shoot with a sling or bipod? A free float tube is a big help for guys that use slings or bipods as those devices attach to the tube instead of the barrel. Thus stopping the change in point of impact due to the stress they add to the barrel. But like all things, they only help once the shooter has obtained sufficient skill and uses good quality ammo. |
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On an A2 rifle, a free float tube will provide little value unless you're a very accomplished match shooter. The primary purpose is to prevent any pressure placed on the hand guard from being transferred to the barrel. This will not make the barrel more accurate, but what it does do is make the barrel more consistent. The pressure you apply to a standard with your forward grip is seldom exactly the same. Therefore, every time you pull the trigger, there is a varying condition affecting either your barrel harmonics or the actual position of the muzzle when the bullet exits. At distance, this difference is magnified greatly. On a precision rifle with a scope, the change can be very noticeable. Through A2 iron sights, you're probably making more judgement errors than a free float can correct. That is, unless you're an accomplished match shooter. Hope this helps. ETA: Forest types faster than I do. |
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Replace the trigger first. If you have a gritty, 8lb trigger in the rifle it isn't going to much matter whether you dump money into a float tube, better sights, or optics if you keep shanking shots due to a lousy trigger pull. Think about it -- the trigger is the primary interface between you and the rifle... |
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