I was at the range today firing my AR for the first time.  I put a lot of rounds through it and it got fairly hot.  When I set it down I noticed that there was some smoke coming out.  What caught my attention was that it seemed to me to be coming out from the inside of the handguards instead of the muzzle.  Is this normal or should I be worried about this?

DAMN!  And I thought we found some banned chems in Iraq! [LOL]

perfectly normal, and when mine did it, it smelled like ammonia too.......................

Normal. I make a point of oiling the barrel under the handguards for that very reason.

I always clean and apply BreakFree under the handguards and burn it off the next range outing... Happiness is a hot, smoking AR... [;)]

Most of the time when I fire mine I will only put maybe 200 rounds through it at a time. The smoke has got to be oil burning off gas tube, I figure the barrel can't be getting that hot.

Depends on how fast you shoot.. Dump a 30 rounder as fast as you can pull the trigger, then check it out. (Ittl be REALLY hot)My dad had an older (1980) Colt CAR 15. He swears he used to light cigs off of that lightweight bbl. after a mag or two.. John

I've been at the range sighting my new Bushmaster carbine, and after adjustment I shot about 20 rounds in a nice group at 100 yards. Than, the rounds started to drift in all directions a few inches.  I didn't wait for the barrel to cool to try it again slow.  Is the accuracy that sensitive to heat?  All told, I put maybe 50 rounds thorough it and while it wasn't smokin', it was really hot.  This is my first AR15.  I'm used to bolt action arms and pretty slow fire.  Also, not used to seeing flames out the barrel in full daylight.  I can understand why a flash guard would be nice to have.  I should of bought an AR15  years ago.  My "cool" factor as a Granddad has gone way up!  Grandma thinks I've gone off the deep end.  Grandma is happy that I sold the FJ1200 though......

Oh man you sold the bike! The FJ1200 has got to be the sweetest bike I have ever rode! Lot's of power and yet very comfortable. I put motor oil under the handgaurds on my M4, it'll smoke after a quick 30 rds of so.  I only wish it has a third position on that slector switch.....

just have somebod[:D]y show you how to bump-fire