Youtube is your friend. How to install a free float handguard:
Brownells - Installing A Free Float Handguard - YouTube
You'll need a few tools. I may miss a few.
- Vise
- AR-15 upper vise block
- AR-15 Bench Block
- AR-15 Armorer's Tool
- Beam type torque wrench
- Flat head pin punch
- Roll Pin Starter punch
- Delta Ring Compression Tool (Not essential but makes removing the old handguards easier)
- Ball Peen Hammer
- Penetrating oil
Keep in mind that the S&W A2-F front sight gas block assembly uses tapered pins, and they are driven out opposite from every other manufacturer. I can't remember... right to left? Someone here will remember and chime in.
I advise spraying the tapered roll pins with a little penetrating oil. You're going to have to use very stout hammer blows to drive the pin out.
Quick and dirty steps...after removing the stock handguards....
1. Install upper into vise block
2. Install into vise.
3. Use the armorer tool to remove the flash suppressor.
4. Be sure to save the crush washer.
5. Remove upper from vise.
6. Put front sight gas block into bench block.
7. Hammer out tapered pins.
8. Slide off FSB/Gas block off barrel. Set aside. Make sure not to bend or kink the gas tube.
9. Put upper back into vise block, back into vise.
10. Remove the barrel nut using the AR-15 armorer's tool.
11. Remove the Delta Ring
12. Remove barrel.
13. Go back to the FSB/Gasblock.
14. Tap out the small roll pin that affixes the gas tube to the FSB/Gas Block.
15. Remove Gas Tube and set aside.
Once you got it all apart, check the instructions that comes with whatever free float system you choose. Some free float handguards use proprietary barrel nuts. Some utilize the stock barrel nut.
When reinstalling the barrel. Set the torque wrench to 35 lbs. Torque until the wrench reads 35 ft/lbs, loosen, torque to 35, loosen, torque to 35. You'll then have to time the barrel nut so that the gas tube can pass through. Do not exceed 80 ft/lbs.
YHM makes a clamp style low profile gas block. I have one installed on my 15-Sport. 15-Sports accept most everything out there. I know...
I have to throw out the standard....
Go to the range and shoot the snot out of your 15-Sport as it is out of the box. Get some trigger time to identify needs from wants. You'll then know what you need to swap out, and what may feel good to you. Spend $$$ on a case of Wolf Gold ammo.
Maybe you'll figure out that you won't be shooting longer distances to necessitate a free float handguard. You'll be able to spend the $$$ on a good optic, trigger, stock, grip, etc...
Good luck and safe shooting.
