im not quite sure how the quad rails or say a magpul moe hand guard installs.  i have a family member that wants to order an AR upper.  wants a "high quality" piece and wants a quad rail with a standard front sight post.

 

 

this is what i am emailing him.  please let me know if i am missing any parts and if you would do something differently.  he is not going to assemble an upper as far as i can tell

 

*******************************EMAIL**********************************

if i were you, i would look at the bravo company.  assuming this was in your price range.

 

i would look at 14.5" mid length barrels with their pinned compensator.  specifically this one

 

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-EAG-HS-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-package-p/bcm-uh-eag2-hs.htm?1=1&CartID=6

 

i know it isn't the quad rail you are looking for but hear me out.  

 

that, with the compensator, comes with the bolt carrier group, backup sight, charging handle, for $809.  this you can put on your gun.  add a trigger to the parts you already have.  shave the bayonet lug or pay the guy i linked above  $25 to do it and fire your gun today.  then you can save for, or shop around for whatever quad rail you want.  as long as its a quality, free floating, 2 piece, mid length 9" rail, you won't need any additional parts or mods.  

 

the reason i suggest that upper is compare it to if you bought everything separately from the same manufacturer.  

 

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-14-5-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-14.htm

 

that upper.  but in the drop down you pick the mod 1 compensator

 

price comes to $543.95

 

add a bolt carrier group

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt-Carrier-Group-MPI-Auto-M16-p/bcm%20bolt%20carrier%20group%20auto%20mp.htm

 

and charging handle

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-4-p/bcm%20gfh%20mod%204%20556.htm

 

and  a backup sight

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Magpul-MBUS-Gen-2-Rear-Back-Up-Iron-Sight-Black-p/mag248%20black.htm

 

 and you are at $832.95

 

and you have no hand guards for $30 more.  

 

you could sell the magpul hand guards once you decide on a quad rail.  

 

and to give you an idea of quality quad rails.  

 

cheaper

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Midwest-Industries-MCTAR-21G2-p/mctar-21g2.htm

 

mid priced

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Centurion-Arms-C4-Rail-System-9-inch-p/centurion%200609-9.htm

 

most expensive http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Daniel-Defense-Omega-Rail-Mide-Length-Free-Float-p/dd%2010002.htm

 

*******************************END EMAIL**********************************

 

 

what am i missing?

 

The big difference in rails lies in the "drop in" vs "free float" categories.  

 

Drop in rails will do just that, you pull the delta ring back, take off the stock hand guards, and drop in the new rail.  For the most part they are sturdy and you can mount whatever you want on them.  Plus side, they are cheaper and install in seconds.  Downside, you lose accuracy and they aren't what I would call rock solid.  I think the general consensus is that you lose about moa at 100yds depending on what you have hanging on the rail.

 

Free float rails require removing the front sight post and bolting the rail onto the receiver, so the rail does not touch the barrel (i.e. "free float") and in most cases changing the gas block to a low profile one. This is a much more labor intensive process and is what comes standard on all higher end firearms.  Plus side, better accuracy and a rock solid patform.  Downside, costs more and you really have to be ready to get intimate with your rifle to install (not a bad thing IMO).  

 

Good luck, not sure where you are at but if you need help just yell.

Thanks. I believe all three rails linked are free float but so not require removal of the front sight post. That's what I am looking at

Magpul hand guards are gtg. You can mount accessoriesthst are needed and still have a nice solid hg to hold on to. In fact I have that upper and plan to utilize that training cert soon. Extremely happy with it. Feel free to show him the photo.

 

One suggestion I'd make is to buy the nfa upper to remove the flash hider and have someone pin your comp of choice on (if his choice isn't listed on there)

 

Just make sure the upper goes to an address without a lower (like the gunsmith).

 

 

And if you get the nfa upper you have no trouble taking off the muzzle device to put on free float rails prior to pinning.

i always ask these questions and then realize after a few replies i probably could have worded it much simpler.  

 

the real question is, if i have a mid length, with standard front sight post and MOE hand guards, what do i need to do to install the three rails here

 

 

 

cheaper

http://www.bravocomp.../mctar-21g2.htm

 

mid priced

http://www.bravocomp...rion 0609-9.htm

 

most expensive http://www.bravocomp...-p/dd 10002.htm

 

On the moe hg's you just buy the rail sections and screw them into a threaded hole that comes with them. Tough to explain.

 

 

To take the hg off you pull back on the spring loaded delta ring and just pull the 2 pieces out.

Oh I get it. Ive honestly never put the two piece free floats on. I'd youtube it.

 

i always ask these questions and then realize after a few replies i probably could have worded it much simpler.  

 

the real question is, if i have a mid length, with standard front sight post and MOE hand guards, what do i need to do to install the three rails here

 

 

 

cheaper

http://www.bravocomp.../mctar-21g2.htm

 

mid priced

http://www.bravocomp...rion 0609-9.htm

 

most expensive http://www.bravocomp...-p/dd 10002.htm

 

 

 

I have not messed with any other 2-piece quad rail other than the Daniel Defense Omega. That requires you to remove the standard handguards and stick the omega rail into the delta ring. Then just tighten the included screws with an allen wrench and done.

Thanks. I believe all three rails linked are free float but so not require removal of the front sight post. That's what I am looking at

My reading comprehension skills are lacking today, I didnt fully read your post. Its actually new to me that there are 2 piece free float rails. My previous post is rendered irrelevant.

 

In any event Daniel Defense makes top notch products. If he is going with one of your above options thats the one I would go with. I have 2 of their factory rifles and one build with a dd rail and they are great for the price point.

 

i always ask these questions and then realize after a few replies i probably could have worded it much simpler.  

 

the real question is, if i have a mid length, with standard front sight post and MOE hand guards, what do i need to do to install the three rails here

 

cheaper

http://www.bravocomp.../mctar-21g2.htm

 

mid priced

http://www.bravocomp...rion 0609-9.htm

 

most expensive http://www.bravocomp...-p/dd 10002.htm

 

 

 

Centurion Arms C4 Rail System

 

MI #21G2 Two Piece Mid Length Free Float Handguard

 

For these two, it looks like you have to remove the delta ring assembly as well as the handguard cap so the rails can attach to the standard barrel nut. Very easy to do with a Dremel. Not sure about the DD Omega 9 rail.

I use this as a drop in solution and am very happy with it.. 

 

http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1030