Last time i shot this ammo for groups in this carbine i was not very impressed with the accuracy. The groups were averaging 3.45" at 100M. ETA: it averaged 2.27" with Fed XM193 (Lot #6).
Well i recently installed a 2pc MI FF Handguard and wanted to see if it made a noticeable difference in accuracy.
First group was fired at 50M because i wasnt even sure i would be on paper after pulling the brl and installing the new handguards. The 50M group measured 1.04"
I moved the target back to 100M and fired two more groups which measured 1.47" and 2.40" so it appears the new FF handguards made a measurable improvement.
The rest of the day was spend ringing the 200M & 300M gongs with boring regularity.
Oh, its a 16" 1:7 Chrome lined DPMS M4 profile with AS trigger, LMT stock, MI FF handguards and TA31. A sleeping bag stuffed in a stuff sack was used as a rest.
I have other rifle and ammo combos that shoot much better. But it was interesting for me to see how much difference the FF handguards really made.