2 Piece Drop-In vs Free Float?

Quad rail handguards generally come in one of two form factors: 2 Piece Drop-In or Free Float. The decision to buy one or the other depends on 1) how much effort you want to put into installing the quad rail and 2) how ultra precise you want your rifle to be.

Install iremover latest version for free. IRemove - Bypass iCloud Activation Lock iOS 7 & 10. Supported firmware: iOS 7, only 10.0 to 10.1.1. Supported iPhone models: any iPhone models. Supported iPad models: any iPad models.

Product Features. Free Floating 16 Inch Quad Rail Handguard fits AR15/M4. Our custom Free Float Quad Rail comes with a barrel nut kit and has an extended top rail for 'No-gap' installation. CNC precision machined solid 6061-T6 aluminum with a hard anodized matte black finish, these quality rails give you lots of accessory options. Install with no vice or vice block this is a budget approach dont forget anti seize on the barrel nutsee fair use act at own risk. Upgrading from a standard to a free-floated handguard can increase your AR-15’s accuracy potential, and it isn’t difficult following this procedure. How to swap out for a free-floated handguard: Remove upper receiver and pull back delta rings to remove standard handguard. Remove retaining pins from the A-Frame — after the gas tube is removed.

A 2 Piece Drop-In Quad Rail, as the name implies, comes in two pieces and screws together into place between the AR-15 receiver and front sight/gas block. The tapered end fits into the delta ring, which holds the quad rail in place against the end cap on the rear of the front sight. For more details, please see our AR-15 2 Piece Drop-In Quad Rail Installation Guide.
The key selling points of a 2 Piece Drop-In Quad Rail are:
- They are typically less expensive
- They are easier to install and require no special tools or gunsmithing experience.
A 2 Piece Drop-In Quad Rail can be installed by anyone in a few minutes. It requires no special tools, though we do recommend using an AR-15 Handguard Removal Tool.

A Free Float Quad Rail differs from a 2 Piece Drop-In Quad Rail in that it attaches directly to the AR-15 lower receiver and does not come into contact with the front sight, and by extension, the barrel. The idea behind this is that a 2 Piece Drop-In Quad Rail, being in constant contact with the barrel, will exert a tiny amount of force on the barrel and will ever so slightly impact the precision of the rifle.
The key selling point of a Free Float Quad Rail is:
- Free float quad rails do not come in contact with the barrel and thus do not impact the precision of the rifle.
The main drawback of a free float quad rail is that installation requires special tools and a more gunsmithing expertise. At minimum, installation of a free float quad rail handguard requires a vise, an upper receiver vise block, a hammer and punch set, and a AR-15 armorer tool. Please see our AR-15 Free Float Quad Rail Installation Guide for more details. If you do not have experience installing a free float quad rail, we highly recommend consulting an experienced gunsmith.

To view our selection of AR-15 quad rail handguards, you can follow these links:
Monstrum Tactical 2 Piece Drop-In Quad Rail Handguards

All in all, the drop-in quad rail with forward extension offers an inexpensive and easy to install alternative for AR-15 owners who want more rail space without the added hassle of installing a free float handguard.Please note that this quad rail will not fit the Ruger AR-556 due to the rifle's irregular bayonet lug.

Is a free float rail worth the investment?

Do your needs justify the cost of a free float rail? Will your rifle benefit from FF? Certain rifles, namely precision rigs and precision shooters, would benefit from a free-float rail. Let’s get that out of the way. If you want to shoot tiny groups or set up a precision rifle… yes a free float rail will assist you in maximizing the accuracy potential of your rifle. What if you have a 14 inch chrome lined or 20 inch government style rifle? Lot’s of new rifle owners will pony up for a quality rail (and many more a cheap rail) without ever realizing the accuracy potential they introduce into the weapon. People will parrot off a number of reasons to invest in rails… more room for accessories, squeeze more accuracy out of the rifle, etc. So will a rail be of assistance to you? Will it be a wise return on your money / shooting ability?

Install Free Float Quad Rail Ar 15 Parts

Before you purchase any rails analyze your current shooting skills. What will make hitting your target easier? A quality optic or a rail? On my two 20 inch “government” rifles, the money spent on a FF rail would not significantly improve my shooting. I have a hard time seeing the 400+ yard target. I am the limiting factor in my rifles performance and I cannot take advantages of a FF rail with the current setups that I run.

For example, if you have HP’s PC, then you can visit HP’s official website.But, to use this method to one should have the proper technical knowledge, specifically about the drivers. The user should know the model number of the PC and the compatible version of Windows OS. Qualcomm atheros client installation program free download. Therefore, for performing Qualcomm Atheros ar956x wireless network adapter driver download for Windows 10, 8, 7 you can use the official website of the PC’s manufacturer.

Some people might have other requirements. A home defense rifle would justify a method in which to mount a flashlight for example… but you don’t need a $150, $200, or a $300 dollar rail to accomplish that task. There are plenty of options available for mounting lights, lasers, and grips without spending a ton of coin. Look at the Magpul MOE line of hand-guards. GG&G light mounts come in various flavors. There are many alternatives available.

2 MOA Rifle… Out of the Box.

Plenty of AR15’s out there can shoot 2 MOA out of the box with good ammunition. Think about this for a second: at 500 yards 2 MOA is a 10 inch group. What will make it easier to shoot a 10 inch group at 500 yards? Free floating or an optic?

Install Free Float Quad Rail Ar 15

Will a gun with a fancy free float rail perform better in your hands over the same rifle with a MOE hand-guard and light? Which setup costs you more money? The $35 dollar MOE guards seem much more logical to me than the latest $300 dollar Daniel-Defense free float rail if you simply want to mount a light and a fore-grip.

If you are OK with the fact that your rifle is ONLY capable of shooting a 12 inch grouping at 600 yards with good ammo… then skip the free float and go straight for an optic or other gear that will make it easier to hit see your target. There is nothing that will improve your shooting more than a nice optic. The main problem new shooters encounter is the initial sticker shock of a good optic.

Wheel and Deal:

Install Free Float Quad Rail Ar 15 Lower

If you want to buy something that is out of your price range, go to the equipment exchange on AR15.com and trade and/or flip your way to a quality used optic. I initially purchased a Vortex variable but found it too heavy for my build and shooting style. It was great glass though! Someone else saw its value and we swapped a CompM4 for the Vortex. Don’t be afraid to trade and deal online to get what you want. If you ponied up for a pie in the sky optic you don’t like, don’t be afraid to sell it or trade it online. I am not made of money… and sometimes I wonder how people online can afford an ACOG and night vision for all their rifles. I buy used so I can get good gear.