Free float hand guards?

sknywhtdude

sknywhtdude

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Just purchased an M&P 10 (811311). I am currently deployed overseas so I'm not able to get my hands on it at the moment. I want to remove the lock ring and stock hand guards and replace it with an aftermarket free float hand guard (to be determined). What length hand guards do i need to be looking at? I want to get some new "furniture" ordered so i don't have to wait for shipping times to make any changes upon my return home. Anyone have any pictures of their custom M&P 10s would be outstanding also.

Thanks, mine is pictured below still stock.

M&P10 01.jpg
 
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It is a mid-length handguard. I believe that is 9.2 inch rail if you retain the factory gas block. The Factory gas block is rail height, so you need to get a low-profile front sight. Do not get gas block height as that is too tall.

Also for the rail: I believe it uses a DPMS barrel nut and accepts DPMS Low Profile rails for proper alignment with the upper receiver. someone I hope can confirm this.

I will try and post pics of mine.
 
guards

I'm looking for a hand guard similar to the DPMS LR-308 hand guards. Or something that is modular. I could go quad rail and put rail covers on but I'd rather not. In the sand box I've grown to hate the covers on my M4. I get sand and grit under them and i have to take them off during cleaning. Just one less hassle and less bulk on the grip.

I've never held or seen an AR-10 but in pictures and youtube so I'm not sure on the stock or hand guard dimensions. I've never owned my own AR-10 so I've never had to swap out parts.

I'm really not concerned with having rails on the guard. I'm installing a Vortex Viper PST FFP 4-16x50 on it so I might just swap out that gas block. I won't be using "iron sights" on this rifle.

I got a bunch of new stuff coming in. M&P 15 .223 (engraved), an M&P 15 .300 whisper, and a Vortex SPARC red dot. A Springfield XDS .45 and an XDM 3.8" compact .40. I'll be having some fun when i get home. :D
 
guards

Would JP enterprises happen to make a modular mid length hand guard similar to DPMS 3G1? 3G1 .308/7.62 NATO This what i'm looking for. Smooth yet modular that i can put on a rail if i choose to. Would I be able to install this if I did find one? I could also go low profile on the gas block and get a longer hand guard too. Keeping my options open.

Thanks! I just emailed JP Enterprises so will post if I ever get a reply back.
 
Last edited:
JP guards

I emailed JP and they sent me the same link is all. They didn't actually tell me if it would work or not. I'll have to read up on it myself.
 
Hey Skny,

What kind of bipod are you looking to put on your M&P10? I was thinking of getting an Atlas bipod, but they are expensive.
 
bipod

Harris bipod 6" - 9" swivle. Around a $100 on sale i've seen.
 
I'm ordering a YHM .750 low pro gas block, and troy forend next week. Not a huge fan of the stock gas block style.
 
Here are a few emails I have received back in regards to the JP enterprises modular handguard I was looking at. I am still undecided which one I want to go with. I might swap out the gas block as well for a low profile and get one just a bit longer to cover it up.

Dear Customer,

The barrel nut is the same as the DPMS, the hand guards should fit without issue.

If further assistance is required please reply accordingly.

Sincerely,

Paul G
Smith & Wesson

__________________________________________________
Dear Customer,

That is a mil=-spec, mid-length handguard. (the stock handguard is the one he is talking about)

If further assistance is required please reply accordingly.

Sincerely,

David
Smith & Wesson
___________________________________________________
Dear Customer,

Thank you for contacting Smith & Wesson. Handguards and free-float tubes are largely a matter of personal preference. The free-float tubes really all do the same task: keep external forces off the barrel while giving you a place to hold the rifle. From there it's really just a matter of rail or no rail and cosmetics. My personal preferences are the Hogue models (I like the rubber overmold, but they also make them without) for a smooth tube and a Troy Industries for a quad rail. I've used both and they have worked well. I don't know if it's true of all free-float tubes, but the Hogue and the Troy have the barrel nut as part of the system, so you don't need the original barrel nut. I have been told that the M&P10 uses the same barrel nut (and thus has the same threads) as our M&P15 rifles. Hope that helps, and have a great day.

If further assistance is required please reply accordingly.

Sincerely,

Kennedy
Smith & Wesson
 
On this topic, could someone measure for me, as my weapon is on pre-order and I'm trying to place an order for my free-floater, the distance between from where the upper mates to the lower to the top of the rail? I am concerned as to whether or not this is the same lower rail that DMPS is now using or if it is the standard elevation that they had a couple years ago, which also matched the elevation of the other 308 ARs. Curious as to if it is a 2" or a 2-1/16" measurement. Can anyone clarify? Thanks!
 
im not sure, im assuming the lp one since thats the new standard, thats what i ordered. if it doesnt work ill send it back and let you know :P
 
sknywhtdude said:
___________________________________________________
Dear Customer,

Thank you for contacting Smith & Wesson. Handguards and free-float tubes are largely a matter of personal preference. The free-float tubes really all do the same task: keep external forces off the barrel while giving you a place to hold the rifle. From there it's really just a matter of rail or no rail and cosmetics. My personal preferences are the Hogue models (I like the rubber overmold, but they also make them without) for a smooth tube and a Troy Industries for a quad rail. I've used both and they have worked well. I don't know if it's true of all free-float tubes, but the Hogue and the Troy have the barrel nut as part of the system, so you don't need the original barrel nut. I have been told that the M&P10 uses the same barrel nut (and thus has the same threads) as our M&P15 rifles. Hope that helps, and have a great day.

If further assistance is required please reply accordingly.

Sincerely,

Kennedy
Smith & Wesson
Click to expand...

Kennedy is mistaken. The barrel nut on the M&P10 is NOT the same as on the M&P15 per S&W. The M&P10 uses a 1-7/16"-16 barrel nut (same as a DPMS-style .308 barrel nut).
 
Last edited:
Couponer said:
On this topic, could someone measure for me, as my weapon is on pre-order and I'm trying to place an order for my free-floater, the distance between from where the upper mates to the lower to the top of the rail? I am concerned as to whether or not this is the same lower rail that DMPS is now using or if it is the standard elevation that they had a couple years ago, which also matched the elevation of the other 308 ARs. Curious as to if it is a 2" or a 2-1/16" measurement. Can anyone clarify? Thanks!
Click to expand...

From my reading and understanding it is the DMPS low profile height.
 
WAIT!

It is the DPMS High Profile height! On the following webpage it states which is needed. The M&P10 uses the older DPMS style with a 3/16" wide top portion.

DPMS Receivers Comparison

Measure for your self!
 
Last edited:
I called S&W and the tech didn't know the answer, but said the top of the rail to the bore axis was 1.259".

I would think that it must be the tall one then if it measure the same thickness as the High Profile DPMS one. I guess i read wrong somewhere. I will keep looking for more info, too and post it if I find anything.
 
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