Forearm question...

[Ladyfox]

Does anyone happen to know exactly how long from the base to the front the handguard is? I did a search here and could'nt find anyone who had mentioned it.

I'm looking at, once I get mine, doing one of the following:

a. Having the barrel shortened to 14.5 inches and permanently mounting a YHM Phantom flash hider.

b. Having the barrel shortened to 11.5 inches and permanently mounting a XM177 5.5-inch Reverse Flash Hider

Either one of these options will maintain the 16-inch length while getting me a look like what you see in the attached images.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The length of the forearm is 10". But keep in mind that the OAL of the barrel (including permanently attached flash suppressor
) is still going to be 16''. The first pic depicts a longer forearm. The second pic depicts an SBR. Neither A or B will give you that look.

 

[TurboniumOxide]

I like that SBR. It is set up nicely... and the gas propelled cheese-like food dispenser reminds me I missed dinner.

I wonder if there are or will be forearm choices for our 15-22s, I think the rifle is going to be very popular.

I got the look that the OP is looking for by sticking a rifle length free float tube on a carbine gas system with low pro block. The barrel sticks out a little further past the end of the tube than the SBR above.

Short of a $200 stamp and a 6 month wait for it, a longer forearm is your only choice, like #1 above.

 

[spleify]

The length of the forearm is 10". But keep in mind that the OAL of the barrel (including permanently attached flash suppressor
) is still going to be 16''. The first pic depicts a longer forearm. The second pic depicts an SBR. Neither A or B will give you that look.

^^ Yep ^^ this

 

[Ladyfox]

The length of the forearm is 10". But keep in mind that the OAL of the barrel (including permanently attached flash suppressor
) is still going to be 16''. The first pic depicts a longer forearm. The second pic depicts an SBR. Neither A or B will give you that look.

I know the picture selection really wasn't the best and I really should have posted a disclaimer saying "uh, yeah, I know these are no-no" but spaced out on it.

The goal here is to get the end of the barrel, or rather the flash hider, as close to the lip of the handguard as possible. The entire "hey look at me" appearance where the barrel is just hanging out looks tacky at the least and very poorly thought out at worst. None of the AR-style rifles out there look anywhere near as mismatched as that and are more proportional. And while some of the sleeves I've seen cranked out here look really sharp it just isn't doing it for me since I'd rather just have a custom larger diameter barrel made and removing the free-float bracket from the front of the handguard.

I was originally thinking of getting one of the handguard adapters but I really didn't like how it looked mated to the base of the upper receiver. And since nobody out there is going to whip up a Larue LT15-13.2, MI - SS15, or TROY MRF RX 13.8 that will mate to the upper receiver without an adapter this was the best compromise I could come up with.

However, that said, if someone has a better idea without using an adapter, modifying a stock barrel, or seeing if ar15barrels.com can make one I'm all ears. ^_^

 

[chuck s]

Do NOT attempt what you propose.

A 14.5" bbl + permanent Vortex will certainly bring the barrel out to NFA legal length, that's not the problem here.

The issue is how the barrel mounts on the M&P15. It comes out the back of the receiver and any muzzle device will have to come off before the barrel can be removed. Additionally the barrel nut can't be accessed with a muzzle device on the front.

Why would you remove the barrel? For one thing the ejector can't be accessed without pulling the barrel; for another at least one feed ramp has broken off a rifle here.

The M&P15-22 has a "mid length" handguard and the length with a M16 suppressor (this is a M16A1) matches the length of my M16A2 as shown.

-- Chuck

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

The goal here is to get the end of the barrel, or rather the flash hider, as close to the lip of the handguard as possible. The entire "hey look at me" appearance where the barrel is just hanging out looks tacky at the least and very poorly thought out at worst.

For your goal -- As Jeff posted there are two options. Get a longer forearm or go SBR. Chuck makes a good point about the 'permanent' nature of a permanent flash hider.
Belt_Fed can make you a shroud that will appear that you have a larger diameter barrel which will give a slight illusion of a shorter barrel.

None of the AR-style rifles out there look anywhere near as mismatched as that and are more proportional. And while some of the sleeves I've seen cranked out here look really sharp it just isn't doing it for me since I'd rather just have a custom larger diameter barrel made and removing the free-float bracket from the front of the handguard.

Below is a pic of my Bushmaster AR. The barrel even w/o a flash suppressor extends beyond the forearm further than the 15-22. The 15-22 with a 10'' forearm is longer than most AR carbines and as such 'less' barrel extending beyond the forearm than most AR carbines.

Here's a pic of my 15-22 with DPMS 5.5'' slipover flash suppressor.

 

[chuck s]

Top: Circa 1990 M4 (14.5") with Vortex. Total bbl length is NFA legal 16+".
Bottom: M&P15-22. Total bbl length is probably 16-1/2" with the suppressor.

-- Chuck

 

[Ladyfox]

Do NOT attempt what you propose.

A 14.5" bbl + permanent Vortex will certainly bring the barrel out to NFA legal length, that's not the problem here.

The issue is how the barrel mounts on the M&P15. It comes out the back of the receiver and any muzzle device will have to come off before the barrel can be removed. Additionally the barrel nut can't be accessed with a muzzle device on the front.

Why would you remove the barrel? For one thing the ejector can't be accessed without pulling the barrel; for another at least one feed ramp has broken off a rifle here.

Interesting! That's not something I had considered and, after looking at a 15-22 in-person that makes sense.

That's really dirty how that is setup since it pretty much forces you to maintain the 16-inch barrel, both in diameter and length, negating any ability for an aftermarket barrel to be created. Guess that answers why none have been forthcoming from Tactical Solutions. -_-

Why the heck would they design such a backwards system for mounting the barrel rather than use the AR-style mounting system?? Did they not think that anyone MIGHT wish to replace the barrel with a non-factory one?

Thank you at least for sharing this information before I got too far into getting the ball rolling on getting a barrel made. Would have felt REALLY stupid spending money for something that would have been impossible for me to use.

For your goal -- As Jeff posted there are two options. Get a longer forearm or go SBR. Chuck makes a good point about the 'permanent' nature of a permanent flash hider.
Belt_Fed can make you a shroud that will appear that you have a larger diameter barrel which will give a slight illusion of a shorter barrel.

Well, going the SBR route is pretty much out since I live in Kommiefornia. So my only real options for this really are either dealing with the gap created by using the forearm adapter or go with a shroud. *sigh*

Below is a pic of my Bushmaster AR. The barrel even w/o a flash suppressor extends beyond the forearm further than the 15-22. The 15-22 with a 10'' forearm is longer than most AR carbines and as such 'less' barrel extending beyond the forearm than most AR carbines.

Here's a pic of my 15-22 with DPMS 5.5'' slipover flash suppressor.

Huh. That DPMS 5.5'' slipover flash suppressor does not look too bad and it actually achieves the overall look I was trying to aim for.

Online Store — DPMS: AR-15 Rifles, Parts and Accessories.

Is this the one that you used? If so, would it be too much of a bother to ask for some pictures showing exactly how mounting one of these works?

I mean, it looks like it would have a lip on the inside where you would slide it over the barrel until it hits the stop and tighten a set screw. I looked over at DPMS's website and could'nt find any trace of a manual so some clarification would be very much appreciated.

 

[BELT_FED]

phils is a threaded barrel, i should know i did it.. the flashhider has recessed threads so it slips over the barrel a couple inches and then threads on just like the shrouds i build.. if you are looking for a specific look yell at me and i can build you something completely custom to fit your needs/wants..

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Yes, that's the slipover on mine. If you order one, make sure that's the one. The have an identical looking item that has the theads at the rear which you do not want.

Belt_Fed can one-off most any barrel item to your exact needs. He and I are still knocking around some ideas on how to get the look of the March Calendar of LaRue Tactical on my 15-22. Take a look at that bad boy. If you like it, maybe Belt_Fed can turn out a couple.

 

[BELT_FED]

since you brought it up did you get the pics i sent to your gmail of the 1 mounted forward about 1.5"

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Yes, thanks. I'm thinking something like 1.25 diameter. 1.5 looks too big (personal taste). And I have just about got it in my head almost that you are right (as usual) that I'm gonna have to cut the forearm down a couple inches to really get that look. I'm still debating.

 

[BELT_FED]

there isnt much i cant do ... so if you know what you want.. just ask


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[ChattanoogaPhil]

Pic 1. Threaded barrel with DPMS off.
Pic 2. DPMS 'slipped over' but not twisted on to barrel threads.
Pic 3. DPMS threaded onto barrel.

Think of it as just a threaded flash suppressor but with a three inch skirt that slips over the barrel before getting to the threads.

 

[Ladyfox]

phils is a threaded barrel, i should know i did it.. the flashhider has recessed threads so it slips over the barrel a couple inches and then threads on just like the shrouds i build.. if you are looking for a specific look yell at me and i can build you something completely custom to fit your needs/wants..

Dang, you're getting pretty famous with all this. I mean, I've seen your name on I think two other forums so far when it comes to 15-22's.

I just saw the pics on ChattanoogaPhil's post that show what you describe and, well, that's pure sexy! As soon as I'm able to lay my hands on my own 15-22 I think I'm going to be giving you a holler that's for certain.

The 15-22 may have it's quirks but with people like you around the rest of us don't have to settle for the Squeekerix, err, I mean Umarex Colt M4.

Yes, that's the slipover on mine. If you order one, make sure that's the one. The have an identical looking item that has the theads at the rear which you do not want.

Belt_Fed can one-off most any barrel item to your exact needs. He and I are still knocking around some ideas on how to get the look of the March Calendar of LaRue Tactical on my 15-22. Take a look at that bad boy. If you like it, maybe Belt_Fed can turn out a couple.

*whistle* If you guys can turn out something that would come close to that I'd be tempted to buy one of those as well. Is the suppressor going to be a mock-up, a real one, or have the provision for either/or? Oh, and if you have any of the older Larue calendar pics this girly would GREATLY appreciate if you shared the love.

Pic 1. Threaded barrel with DPMS off.
Pic 2. DPMS 'slipped over' but not twisted on to barrel threads.
Pic 3. DPMS threaded onto barrel.

Think of it as just a threaded flash suppressor but with a three inch skirt that slips over the barrel before getting to the threads.

VERY nice! I had a feeling that was going to work like that but to actually see it is something else. Really makes me wonder why the aftermarket companies have'nt picked up on some of this stuff. I mean, we should be swimming in various different handguards, sleeves, magazines, and other stuff but it's like as if the 15-22 had not even shown up on anyone's radar.

For example, 15-22's around here are more in demand than the SIG 522's which I saw one recently sell for around $375 compared to the near-retail prices for the 15-22's. At this rate belt_fed will have taken over the 15-22 accessory market not that it would be a bad thing mind but still.

Oh, and if you look in the attached pic for the 16" Barrel and 13.2" handguard that is pretty close to what I'm looking at. Eventually, when my hubby graduates, I'll be able to build an actual EBR, most likely using either the Larue you see or one of the other handguards I mentioned earlier, but in the meantime this will satisfy that itch. ^_^

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

VERY nice! I had a feeling that was going to work like that but to actually see it is something else. Really makes me wonder why the aftermarket companies have'nt picked up on some of this stuff. I mean, we should be swimming in various different handguards, sleeves, magazines, and other stuff but it's like as if the 15-22 had not even shown up on anyone's radar.

There's not a lot of 15-22 specific stuff, but lots of AR stuff that has made it's way onto 15-22s.

With the tacticool22 barrel nut converter you can pretty much put whatever threaded forearm you want on your 15-22. Though, I'm not sure how you'd get a quad rail to index and hold. Maybe Tacticool22 or Belt_Fed could explain that.