Free Floating the barrel DOES improve accuracy!

[Hearsedriver]

I really didn't think I would be able to tell any difference in the way my M&P OR shot after free-floating the barrel but, I was wrong. I installed a Troy Alpha rail just because I liked the way it felt and looked. Since then, my groups at 50 yards have tightened up at least 1" and I don't have near as many "flyers" as before. There is something to free-floating the barrel. I am convinced. Anyone else experience this?

 

[Vinney47]

I think some of what you experienced is from free floating the barrel, maybe some of the effect is from improved ergonomics/comfort.

are you using iron sights or optics?

 

[Hearsedriver]

Im using a Sight Mark holographic sight. You may be right. It is more comfortable to shoot.

 

[CENTURION24]

I have a ff handgaurd and I can totally tell the difference when I rest my barrel on sandbags apposed to resting it on the handgaurd. I acctualy waisted 40 rounds before I figured out what was wrong.

 

[rojodiablo]

Im using a Sight Mark holographic sight. You may be right. It is more comfortable to shoot.

At 50 yards with a holo sight I would agree with Vinney47.
A freefloat barrel does make a difference out beyond 100, and after 250, it starts to make a big difference when you are looking at still grouping MOA, which is getting awful small at 3" dia at 250 yds.
If you are expecting to hit a dinner plate dependably at 250, then freefloating is not that crucial at all.

 

[Vinney47]

Im using a Sight Mark holographic sight. You may be right. It is more comfortable to shoot.

I use the same sight . glad you were able to improve performance no matter the why.

question for anybody: given that all else is equal between two hand guards except one is free floated and one is not, does the non ff have an advantage anywhere over the ff one?

 

[MichiganScott]

Match shooters figured out that free floating the barrel helps accuracy about 10 minutes after Colt sold the first one to the public.I can get about 3 MOA of deflection with a tight sling on a Garand.

 

[CENTURION24]

I use the same sight . glad you were able to improve performance no matter the why.

question for anybody: given that all else is equal between two hand guards except one is free floated and one is not, does the non ff have an advantage anywhere over the ff one?

As far as I know, none performance wise. Price wise they are cheaper.

 

[oneyeopn]

Like centurion said the Non is cheaper plus easier to install...here is another helpful hint, lose the flash hider and your groups will tighten up even more. the flash suppressor does change your point of impact and removing it helps in the accuracy department also.

 

[oneyeopn]

Match shooters figured out that free floating the barrel helps accuracy about 10 minutes after Colt sold the first one to the public.I can get about 3 MOA of deflection with a tight sling on a Garand.

with that much deflection and I know it is true and I have done the same thing myself how do you get around it?

 

[arizona98tj]

Be consistent. As long as you sling up the same way each time, you can count on that 3 MOA shift. At least, that is what they taught us at Appleseed. Of course, the challenge is knowing it vs. doing it.

Good to see you on the board again!

 

[MichiganScott]

Be consistent. As long as you sling up the same way each time, you can count on that 3 MOA shift. At least, that is what they taught us at Appleseed. Of course, the challenge is knowing it vs. doing it.

Good to see you on the board again!

I find it very difficult to consistently apply the same sling pressure shot to shot. Free floating the barrel takes that variable out of the picture.

 

[Vinney47]

Be consistent. As long as you sling up the same way each time, you can count on that 3 MOA shift. At least, that is what they taught us at Appleseed. Of course, the challenge is knowing it vs. doing it.

Good to see you on the board again!

So... by that rationale the non free float handguard shouldn't affect accuracy at all as (in that example) accuracy isn't affected - only POI. You could then in theory mitigate the effects of non free float handguards simply by adjusting your sights, then not changing anything.

Is that right?