A quick explanation on the term "free float". If you're buying or building a new AR, you will likely hear the term "free float" quite a bit. Here's a quick rundown on what it means.
When I was in the USMC infantry, I didn't spend a lot of time studying my M16a2. It was a tool that I used and carried, but as soon as I could clean it and turn it into the armory, I did. It was just another piece of gear to me that I didn't own.
It would great to see a video on all the different barrel nut types. Not much out there but can be confusing when you look up barrel nuts and see all different shapes and sizes.
No one ever talks about the disadvantages of the free float system. How about your front sight post can easily be moved or bent and knocked out of zero? If your'e just running an optic mounted on the receiver with no backup iron sights then it doesn't matter. But I personally like having back up iron sights in case my optic goes down for whatever reason. And on a free float system, I have never been super confident in its ability to keep my front iron sight zeroed in due to how flimsy the rails is and how much it can move and bend and warp at the slightest application of force.
Is there a way to put a magpul handgaurd on a rifle that comes free floated? I think the magpul sl might be thinner and more comfortable than some thick long junk
So if I baught one of your guns that doesn't have the free float setup. How will I go about adding one? Can I even add one? I baught my first rifle from you guys I'm still new to the game👍
I bought one of your 10.5 uppers with one of the 9.5 handguards with partial picatinny. The upper is nice but I hate the way partial picatinny handguards look. Is there a specific size of picatinny rail section I need to get to completely cover the handguard's 12 o clock with 1913 rail?
So what are possible disadvantages of free floating? I see removing your hand guards you remove the heat shields protecting your hand which I figure you can attach hand guards (with heat resistant properties I hope) to the free float rail system.
That's a very good point. Heat on the handguard is real on the free float setup. So buy a quality rail that will help dissipate heat and don't be afraid to wear a glove if massive mag dumps are your itinerary for that day on the range.
Also your gas block might come loose if it’s only held in place with a tiny set screw instead of pins. Then you’d have a straight pull bolt action… And if your rail rotates or isn’t perfectly straight then you’re gonna have issue with your front sight. The best of both worlds is a free float rail that allows you to keep your fsb pinned to the barrel.
I bought a KS47 upper and an AR15 upper from you guys with the Mlok handguards and both handguards came loose on both uppers after firing 1 mag through each of them. Do y’all even put thread locker on the handguard screws?
Depending on the handguard, you may need to use a proprietary barrel nut for proper installation as well. Check the instructions from the manufacturer on that end.
Yea, but what about the gas tube running into the upper? Doesn't that negate the whole free float idea from the gas block back? I realize it is what it needs to be.....just a thought I had while building one of your 20" SS uppers. Awesome BTW...sub MOA with 75grn BTHP/24 grn Varget. G.
Ff is disconnecting the barrel from the hand guards. So if you have to rest the rifle on something or use a sling to shoot, you’re not affecting barrel harmonics. With a std Hg setup, any pressure on the hgs can affect point of impact. The gas tube connection to the barrel doesn’t mean anything. If done right, it’s barely touching the upper or barrel nut.
Anyone know the name of that gun behind him on the shelf just behind his right elbow? I had an idea for a gun and this looks almost exactly like what I was imagining
@@southernSCkid Thank you! I had never taken a close look at a vector before and I didnt realize that the barrel was below the trigger group. This really caught me off guard in the video because I had recently been thinking about a rifle design with this same concept and I didnt really know it was already a thing
The sight. Only thing not covered in these free-float vids. A backup or flip up sight you attach to the front of the rail, will move with the rail. Must have very sturdy and high quality rail. Just bought Sig Snakebite, horrible rail, lots of play, weak screws. Just looking thru the sights I can see the front is off/crooked. Now imagine it gets dropped or u bang it against something? Much more accurate sight is one attached and in line with the barrel. (Picture perfect is free float barrel that allows for a2 sight post pinned in) Im mad about this rail but its all good gonna get a great one...my other AR tho? It's def keeping the A2 sight post.
What if my brain counter oscillates the rotation an I don’t touch the hand guard firing from the mag well not adding to pressures of the hand guard... or take it off all together and heat wrap it hmmm lol seen a lot of guys shoot from the magazine/ mag well back in my days in the dirt (OIF1-2003-11b) or quit being so special forces an hit paper an get on target first
Dam nice explanation man. I was always wondering why some had the ring on the barrel. Now I know it’s called a delta ring. I always hated the way those AR’s looked what the delta ring. I think the free float looks so much better and sleek. It’s obviously more modern as well right? Also I always hated the way the front iron sits looked on the M4’s that had the delta ring on the barrel. I much prefer the flip up iron sights and again it seems way more modern. The other way just seems outdated. Like it’s just an shortened M16 which it is right? So can you even really call those M4/AR15’s that? It seems like everything you’ve been talking about with the free float hand guard barrel system is what the AR15 is because isn’t that when the flip up iron sights started being a thing. Every time I think of what a basic AR15 is I think of a free float hand guard system with flip up sights not the delta ring small M16 looking one.
Some of the most accurate Jr's I've ever shot we're not free floated you're going to think I'm crazy but there is no such thing as a free float AR-15 there's a gas block pinned to the barrel with a gas tube people should say the handguard is free floated that is all
You'll need to use a low profile gas block in place of the stock one. Just make sure you look into the specs of the gas block, as well as the free float guard. You need to make sure that the inner diameter of the guard is bigger that the size of the gas block, as there is some variation between different manufacturers.
Hey Jack - sorry to hear you're having an issue with your rifle. We do offer a 100% Full Lifetime Warranty, and we gladly cover shipping costs involved with both sending it to us and back to you. Please reach out to Customer Service through this link, and they will get started on a warranty claim for you. palmettostatearmory.com/help-center
@@williammunny6061 you are just an idiot and ignorant about cheap barrel that PSA used on my rifle. I am an expert and have "few" guns and I have shot and compared so many guns in different platforms. I am anal on the groups. I shot the PSA at 25 and 100 yards. At 25 y. it averaged 1.75" which is the worst gun I have ever seen. Even my keltec su16 that has polymer frame shoots 20% better. It is so bad that I must change that barrel and put it in garbage. Shame on PSA for putting garbage out.
Who else thought he was gonna rap 0:07
eardrummmers...DDDDDD-DJ PSA.
That's hilarious!
lmfao
Lol
"I'm Chris from Palmetto State,
I sell good guns for you liberals to hate."
Even as a former Army soldier, I have a lot to learn about ARs and guns in general. Thanks for the video!
Welcome! We all have lots to learn.
At least, we'll always be curious.
When I was in the USMC infantry, I didn't spend a lot of time studying my M16a2. It was a tool that I used and carried, but as soon as I could clean it and turn it into the armory, I did. It was just another piece of gear to me that I didn't own.
It's not that big deal if you NEED a free float it's cause you're an insane marksman
Perfect,understandable explanation. Good job sir.
Thanks!
Great explanation! I shot M-16s in the Air Force, but I'm trying to build my first AR-15 since getting out and there's a lot to learn.
One of the most simplistic exclamations I’ve ever heard. Thanks for your video
I didn’t know that Matt Damon works for Palmetto State Armory
That's Meat Demon
Matt Damon who has cable.... And alot of guns!
That’s Jason Bourne
Matt Damon explains handguards. But seriously, thank you for sharing knowledge
You are the first video I've seen explain this properly.. thank you for teaching
dayum.
a video where the guys answers the question and explains the answer.
amazing.
Very well explained. Thank you.
It would great to see a video on all the different barrel nut types. Not much out there but can be confusing when you look up barrel nuts and see all different shapes and sizes.
If anyone want to see the Larry Vickers video he referenced, here you go: ua-cam.com/video/phwDMrau_7Y/v-deo.html
Keep that fancy stuff and send me the mid length FN upper please.
Thanks for the explanation
As they say …. Exactly what I needed to hear
No one ever talks about the disadvantages of the free float system. How about your front sight post can easily be moved or bent and knocked out of zero? If your'e just running an optic mounted on the receiver with no backup iron sights then it doesn't matter. But I personally like having back up iron sights in case my optic goes down for whatever reason. And on a free float system, I have never been super confident in its ability to keep my front iron sight zeroed in due to how flimsy the rails is and how much it can move and bend and warp at the slightest application of force.
Magpul flip.up
@@sluggak1363 and? This are attached to the rail, which can easily move. Which was my point
A good rail shouldn't flex any significant amount. Rails also exist that allow you to use a standard A2 FSB.
Cause your shits cheap
Kevin A. You’re rig is trash.
Would like to know how free float might differ on a bullpup, seems like it would work better since it’s further set into the body/stock of the rifle
Does it really reduce the weight? It looks like it would be heavier.
Just got a PSA ARV 8 inch want to add a free float from midwest industries 7.5 inch is it doable
That was dope short and sweet! (meaning addictive) 😎😊
Is there a way to put a magpul handgaurd on a rifle that comes free floated?
I think the magpul sl might be thinner and more comfortable than some thick long junk
Is it really free floating though...with the gas block and gas tube???
So if I baught one of your guns that doesn't have the free float setup.
How will I go about adding one?
Can I even add one?
I baught my first rifle from you guys I'm still new to the game👍
Yes you can do a conversion from standard to free float. You cam find videos to do it online or take it to a gun smith.
I bought one of your 10.5 uppers with one of the 9.5 handguards with partial picatinny. The upper is nice but I hate the way partial picatinny handguards look. Is there a specific size of picatinny rail section I need to get to completely cover the handguard's 12 o clock with 1913 rail?
Question.
When cleaning an AR with a CLP or what-not should one remove the free float hand guard?
No. That's not really necessary.
@@PalmettoStateArmoryVideos
Thanks for the reply.
Fantastic thanks man
So what are possible disadvantages of free floating? I see removing your hand guards you remove the heat shields protecting your hand which I figure you can attach hand guards (with heat resistant properties I hope) to the free float rail system.
That's a very good point. Heat on the handguard is real on the free float setup. So buy a quality rail that will help dissipate heat and don't be afraid to wear a glove if massive mag dumps are your itinerary for that day on the range.
There are companies that make mlok rail covers, and they're essentially heat shields to protect your hands.
Also your gas block might come loose if it’s only held in place with a tiny set screw instead of pins. Then you’d have a straight pull bolt action… And if your rail rotates or isn’t perfectly straight then you’re gonna have issue with your front sight. The best of both worlds is a free float rail that allows you to keep your fsb pinned to the barrel.
@@imoutofideasfornames there’d be no purpose of that point
@@ViktoriousDead There’s “No purpose” of having a free float handguard and a reliable front sight and gas block? Okayyyy… lol
I bought a KS47 upper and an AR15 upper from you guys with the Mlok handguards and both handguards came loose on both uppers after firing 1 mag through each of them. Do y’all even put thread locker on the handguard screws?
I have the same upper but i don’t like the sight if i change the gas block can i take off the sight or would i have to do something else
So I can just remove the delta ring and that plate and just slide the rail I want on? Sounds too simple but I’ll give it a whirl
Depending on the handguard, you may need to use a proprietary barrel nut for proper installation as well. Check the instructions from the manufacturer on that end.
thank you !!!!
What about the gas block and gas tube
Which Larry Vickers video were you referencing?
Yea, but what about the gas tube running into the upper? Doesn't that negate the whole free float idea from the gas block back? I realize it is what it needs to be.....just a thought I had while building one of your 20" SS uppers. Awesome BTW...sub MOA with 75grn BTHP/24 grn Varget.
G.
gerry mckown indeed good sir. Not sure if an AR can ever truly function as a free float. At least so long as it requires a gas block
Ff is disconnecting the barrel from the hand guards. So if you have to rest the rifle on something or use a sling to shoot, you’re not affecting barrel harmonics. With a std Hg setup, any pressure on the hgs can affect point of impact. The gas tube connection to the barrel doesn’t mean anything. If done right, it’s barely touching the upper or barrel nut.
A free float handguard does nothing but make your handguard heavier for 99% of shooters.
OK boomer
Anyone know the name of that gun behind him on the shelf just behind his right elbow? I had an idea for a gun and this looks almost exactly like what I was imagining
A Kriss vector , and further left behind his right elbow is a Galil ace
@@southernSCkid Thank you! I had never taken a close look at a vector before and I didnt realize that the barrel was below the trigger group. This really caught me off guard in the video because I had recently been thinking about a rifle design with this same concept and I didnt really know it was already a thing
👍
The sight. Only thing not covered in these free-float vids. A backup or flip up sight you attach to the front of the rail, will move with the rail. Must have very sturdy and high quality rail. Just bought Sig Snakebite, horrible rail, lots of play, weak screws. Just looking thru the sights I can see the front is off/crooked. Now imagine it gets dropped or u bang it against something?
Much more accurate sight is one attached and in line with the barrel. (Picture perfect is free float barrel that allows for a2 sight post pinned in)
Im mad about this rail but its all good gonna get a great one...my other AR tho? It's def keeping the A2 sight post.
There’s never been a Semi auto AR made that has a free float barrel.
What if my brain counter oscillates the rotation an I don’t touch the hand guard firing from the mag well not adding to pressures of the hand guard... or take it off all together and heat wrap it hmmm lol seen a lot of guys shoot from the magazine/ mag well back in my days in the dirt (OIF1-2003-11b) or quit being so special forces an hit paper an get on target first
Hard to control recoil that way
Do you always need to remove the delta ring if I wanna install a quad rail?
No, some quad rails are drop in ones
No some are 2 piece quad rails that go in 1 at a time then you screw them in place
What I don’t understand is “drop in, free floated Handguard.”
Dam nice explanation man. I was always wondering why some had the ring on the barrel. Now I know it’s called a delta ring. I always hated the way those AR’s looked what the delta ring. I think the free float looks so much better and sleek. It’s obviously more modern as well right? Also I always hated the way the front iron sits looked on the M4’s that had the delta ring on the barrel. I much prefer the flip up iron sights and again it seems way more modern. The other way just seems outdated. Like it’s just an shortened M16 which it is right? So can you even really call those M4/AR15’s that? It seems like everything you’ve been talking about with the free float hand guard barrel system is what the AR15 is because isn’t that when the flip up iron sights started being a thing. Every time I think of what a basic AR15 is I think of a free float hand guard system with flip up sights not the delta ring small M16 looking one.
Some of the most accurate Jr's I've ever shot we're not free floated you're going to think I'm crazy but there is no such thing as a free float AR-15 there's a gas block pinned to the barrel with a gas tube people should say the handguard is free floated that is all
It also makes the rifle look cooler and more pratical
Sir , if i ugrade my hand guard do i have to upgrade my gas block or i could use my stock
need a new
gas block
You'll need to use a low profile gas block in place of the stock one. Just make sure you look into the specs of the gas block, as well as the free float guard. You need to make sure that the inner diameter of the guard is bigger that the size of the gas block, as there is some variation between different manufacturers.
Blah blah blah. Free float means the handguard doesn't mount to the barrel. It mounts directly to the upper receiver.
Branden's Outdoor Channel geez so sensitive. Take out your butt plug already
Nice videos. They remind me of luckygunner.com videos.
You mean I can’t hit a damn thing with having a freefloat barrel??????? Bullshit!!! Snake oil.
The gas block and gas tube makes it not an actual free floated barrel. Stop lying.
I bought my first AR from PSA and it shoots 9 inch at 100 yards. It is my worst gun.
Hey Jack - sorry to hear you're having an issue with your rifle. We do offer a 100% Full Lifetime Warranty, and we gladly cover shipping costs involved with both sending it to us and back to you. Please reach out to Customer Service through this link, and they will get started on a warranty claim for you. palmettostatearmory.com/help-center
@@PalmettoStateArmoryVideos lifetime warrany fucckkkk yeah getting me one then
Jack Smith BS. You’re probably just a noob garbage shooter. No way any AR15 is out the box 9 MOA at 100 yards
@@williammunny6061 you are just an idiot and ignorant about cheap barrel that PSA used on my rifle. I am an expert and have "few" guns and I have shot and compared so many guns in different platforms. I am anal on the groups. I shot the PSA at 25 and 100 yards. At 25 y. it averaged 1.75" which is the worst gun I have ever seen. Even my keltec su16 that has polymer frame shoots 20% better. It is so bad that I must change that barrel and put it in garbage. Shame on PSA for putting garbage out.
When people can't shoot, they blame the equipment