So I've been looking at the Midwest Industries combat rail free float handguard in the 15 inch, to replace the plastic guard the M&P sport II came with. I was just curious what others have to say about this handguard and if anybody has used something similar, how they like it, etc. From what I've come to learn, Midwest appears to be a dependable brand.

Also, I've seen others suggest in replacing the barrel nut it comes with, for a titanium one, and am not sure if that's the way to go, or if it'd be fine with what the handrail comes with.

Much appreciate everyone's thoughts & advice!

-Mack

I'm a big fan of Midwest's rails-I've used a number of both their free float and drop in on an number of builds.

I also really like Aero Precisions' stuff. I was just gifted an complete Aero upper that has an mlok free float rail on it. It's a belated birthday present from my older son who was deployed when my 65th rolled around. He also is giving me a lower with his "Dustoff" combat patch on it. His unit did a group by on both.

I truly don't feel you'd be disappointed in the Midwest. Good luck and have fun.

I don't remember ever hearing anything bad about them. You'll need to do something with the gas block. I had to install a low profile one on my M&P10 when I put a free float hand guard on it.

Forgive me for sounding like too much of a new shooter with this, but if I purchase the free float hand guard and take it to my local gun shop to have installed, would the gas block be something I'd be needing to purchase as well to bring with me, or would most shops simply take care of this on their own as part of the instillation process?

-Mack

Yes, either the picatinny gas block or the A2 front sight (depending on which model you have) will have to come off and a low profile gas block will have to be installed in it's place.


IMHO, I wouldn't worry about a titanium barrel nut.


You can do all this yourself if you have some tools and are decent with them. Getting the delta ring compressed that holds on the plastic hand guard can be a pain sometimes, but you can get it off without the special tool though that would make it easier.

You would need a low profile gas block with a journal size of .750. That's the inside diameter. You can either take the present gas tube out of your existing gas block or just spend like 12 or 15 bucks on a new one. You need a carbine length gas tube.



Don't get spooked. Yes, there's some stuff to learn, but it's not THAT bad.


Oh yeah. No need for forgiveness. Everybody starts at the beginning.

Tons of information HERE

My guess is that the gun shop will need to order a gas block but it depends on the store. Your's might have one on hand. ARs are a simple firearm to work on and the tools to do the job aren't that expensive. Having mechanical ability does help a lot though. So, there is no harm if you take it to a shop (a gunsmith would be better) and have them do it. And no one should look down on you for doing it.

I believe youtube hasn't taken down videos on how to do the work yourself yet. If they have, Brownell's has a decent video library you can reference that is free of charge.

Take a look at what is needed to do the work and decide if you want to tackle it yourself. If nothing else, you'll gain some knowledge that will help you understand your firearm better.