New to forum and I’m about to shave the front sight off of my sport 2. After that and removing the delta ring. How do I know which hand guards will fit the barrel nut, that is currently on the M&p. And what is the process of installing the handguard. Sorry if this already been asked before but this is my first AR just wanted to make sure I’m doing this right. Thanks for your help.
Changing handguard
- Thread starter Aeguy1983
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cyphertext
US Veteran
Many of the extended handguards will come with a proprietary barrel nut that goes with the handguard, requiring you to remove the A2 front sight assembly to install. You will need to search for ones that use the standard barrel nut if you are not willing to remove the front sight.
Yes I will be shaving the front sight to put on a free float handguard. Looking for a 15” inch mlok. Just curious as to how to know which handguard will fit the current barrel nut on the M&p. Don’t have the tools for changing the barrel nut. Would like a free float that will slip right on once the front sight and current magpul handguard are removed.
Fishinfool
Member
Go to the Midway or Brownell web site, and watch a couple videos on how its done, and what equipment is used. Most manufacturers specify on their web sites what model fits what gun. A little internet searching here is your friend.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...ownells.com/&usg=AOvVaw0RW8zzWAUa0u9j-r1q3KUG
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...dwayusa.com/&usg=AOvVaw3lMSAWvbH9BwI4E6hMMu5x
Larry
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...ownells.com/&usg=AOvVaw0RW8zzWAUa0u9j-r1q3KUG
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...dwayusa.com/&usg=AOvVaw3lMSAWvbH9BwI4E6hMMu5x
Larry
mscampbell2734
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If your just going to grind down the front sight and not remove it your going to need to cut the handguard retainer off. Its just thin steel but it will have to come off.
WNC Seabee
Member
If you have the skill to properly grind off the front sight, then I have to believe that removing it and replacing with a proper gas block and barrel nut for your chosen handguard would be easy peasy.
The grinding is - by far - the most technically challenging process in this discussion.
The grinding is - by far - the most technically challenging process in this discussion.
Well just doing my research it seems a lot of people prefer the shaving the sight method as opposed to removing it and replacing with a low pro gas block. I’ve got grinder and dremel so just figured I could handle that part. The barrel nut was kinda cautious about as its gotta be torqued correctly. So was just if there were any free float handguards I could slip over sight after cut and attach to the current barrel nut.
Geezer with an AR
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As said earlier,most hand guards come with new nut.I did that conversion on my sport ll.I tried to drive out pins on front sight, and ran into so much trouble I ground off the bottom of the sight
cyphertext
US Veteran
There are some handguards that will work with the standard barrel nut... Troy, Midwest Industries, and Centurion all offer some that will work with the standard nut, I believe. You are just going to have to research this.
Best way to do it is to remove the existing front sight/gas block. The pins are one way so the must come out from left to right. You'll be able to tell by looking at them (one side is smaller than the other). Once it's off, you'll be able to do a much nicer job cutting, grinding and painting. And, by using your existing, modified front sight/gas block, it will line up perfectly with the gas port AND be pinned on, which is way better than set screws! Lots of choices to choose from for hand guards, but plan on spending anywhere between $200-$300 for quality ones. I would highly recommend the Geissele hand guard, particularly the MK14 Super Mod Rail; GEISSELE AUTOMATICS LLC AR-15 MK14 SUPER MODULAR RAIL HANDGUARD | Brownells. It comes with everything you'll need to install the rail (plus a SS gas block if you decide to go that route). Definitely worth considering. Your preference, though. Good luck.
Last edited:
chiefbob81
US Veteran
You must remove the gas block to remove the gas tube to remove the barrel nut. Most fore ends come with a barrel nut wrench
Ricrock
Member
Check out the Fortis Rev line of handguards. They fit the standard barrel nut, look good and really work. I hav one on my Sport II with shaved down FSB
REV™ II Series
REV™ II Series
WNC Seabee
Member
I am by no means an expert, but I have assembled 10+ ARs ranging from "cheap" to high end precision and 3Gun race platforms. In all cases, the torque spec range for the barrel nut was so wide (35-80 ft/lbs) as to be a non-issue. Tighten the nut until it aligns with a gas tube port and call it good.
Gas blocks can be pinned easily, or use a set screw style.
I truly do not understand compromising on a component that is integral to comfort, accuracy, aesthetics (the fore end) in an effort to reuse a dremelled part that you'll need to remove in any case.
But, to each their own. This is part of what makes ARs fun - the ability to swap stuff around like legos.
EdinDenver
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Not sure if it's your thing, but it might be easier if you considered a rail that integrates the front sight in the design. Here's an example from Midwest Industries.
MCTAR-20XG2-BLK<br>MI Gen2 Two Piece Free Float Handguard, Extended Length Carbine - Black
MCTAR-20XG2-BLK<br>MI Gen2 Two Piece Free Float Handguard, Extended Length Carbine - Black
Yeah I’ve looked at them. My goal was just cleaning up my view as I currently have a vortex spitfire 1x on it. Stopped by a local gun store yesterday to talk to them about swapping handguards. They suggested selling the upper instead of cutting a good upper and purchasing a new one from PSA, cost would probably equal out or save money.
cyphertext
US Veteran
Find a new gun store... Buy the handguard you like, don't worry about the barrel nut. Take the upper and the handguard to a gunsmith if you don't have the proper tools to remove the gas block. Have the gunsmith install a low profile gas block and the handguard. Probably wouldn't cost much at all. Should be less than a new upper. You won't get much for a used upper from a Sport.
Man gun stores in Durham NC must be slack. Called another one today he told me same thing. Said 75 labor. Plus block and handguard will run 200 to 250. He said sell my upper for 200 to 250 and buy a PSA and be out less than 100 bucks. That’s the second gun store to tell me that.
+1 on Fortis Handguards, installs in a few minutes on original barrel nut.
REV™ II Free Float Rail System - 14" MLOK
REV™ II Free Float Rail System - 14" MLOK
cyphertext
US Veteran
The price of the handguard and block will depend on which handguard and block you choose... Prices for the handguard will start around $130 and go up from there depending on brand.
A brand new Sport II runs $499 right now at grabagun.com. Can probably find cheaper. You can get a complete upper from PSA with a 13" M-LOK rail, with BCG and charging handle for $280. No one is going to pay $200 - $250 for a used Sport II upper in today's market.
The advantage of adding one to your existing upper is that you get to pick the rail you want. If that isn't important to you, just buy the cheap PSA upper and call it good.
