I am very new to guns, and purchased the 15-22 as my first because I love the AR15 platform, and a buddy of mine (who knows a ridiculous amount about guns) suggested the 15-22 as a good place to start because it is fun, functions like a common AR15 and is cheap to shoot. I fell in love with it immediately, and it is in my nature to research the heck out of everything I like, so naturally I started looking into the mechanics of guns, how they work, and the benefits of all the different types of replacement parts. Now I told you that story to tell you this one -

I came across a discussion about free floating handguards, and how they are more accurate because they don't touch the barrel and therefore don't influence its natural bending/resonance. My question is if I remove the endcap (not the whole handguard) off of our 15-22, does that make it free floating, or is it more complex than that?

I am also well aware that chances are I would never notice the difference, and don't even really plan on removing the endcap, but the scientist in me needs to know!

My question is if I remove the front cover off of our 15-22, does that make it free floating, or is it more complex than that?

I am also well aware that chances are I would never notice the difference, and don't even really plan on removing the cover, but the scientist in me needs to know![/QUOTE]

yes that is all that is needed. there is an adapter that one of the members here has made so that you can change the front guard out for any that would be on a regular ar.. the blast of a shot produces vibration and even a whip effect down the barrel so as powder charges change and so does the amount of whip and vibration down the barrel.bullet weight is also another factor that plays a roll in this.

Thanks, but I think I worded my question weird, and I am just now realizing this. I dont want to remove the handguard, just the endcap that clicks into the front of it.

I will change my original post.

yes.. when you remove the end cap you are "free floating" your barrel.. some on here have also taken it off, drilled the hole bigger , and put it back on so its still there just not touching the barrel

Thanks. That was a faster response than I expected. Gotta love these forums

If this is done, do you lose any support/stability of the hand guard?

Yes. A lot of support in fact. The plastic hand-guard just covers the barrel and is very flexible.

-- Chuck

If you are using iron sights you might make your gun less accurate by removing that cap. The front sight is attached to the handguard which is flexible. The handguard with your sight attached would be free to move independently of the barrel.

I was thinking more of the handguard flexing with the attachment of a bipod via an adapter on the bottom rail. My suspicion is conformed.

Thanks.