Another AR question for the gurus

[FTRrookie]

I recently bought my first AR, a Windham Weaponry flat top M4 variant with 16" barrel. I like the gun with one exception. The black plastic fore end grip. It's too short for my shooting style and it limits the distance between my front and rear sights. For those reasons and because I believe a free floating barrel shoots better I've decided to replace the fore end with a rail system. I also like the look of a long rail with only a short portion of the barrel sticking out so I would like to go with a13 or 15" rail. What parts other than a low pro gas block would I need to accomplish this? Also I need recommendations for a rail system. I don't want or need rails on all 4 sides so a modular system or one that only had a top rail running it's full length would be the best I think. Another criteria, I don't want to break the bank doing this. If money were no object I would probably go with a Geissele SMR rail but at over $300 they are a little over budget considering I also have to buy the tools to do the job.

So any help and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[SpeedRacer]

Troy VTAC rail. Chop your front sight down to fit under the rail, it's more reliable and...free!

 

[InterstateGuns]

We install the VTAC Alpha rails with the daniel defense gas blocks all the time. If you want to come up to the shop, we can get you taken care of.

 

[freedive10]

Troy VTAC rail. Chop your front sight down to fit under the rail, it's more reliable and...free!

Here is an end result.

[/QUOTE]

Interstate Guns does a heck of a great job as well with a factory DD gas block.

 

[Jack]

Chop the front sight and put on a tube. If you want me to bring my dd and midwest industries tubes so you can see them Sunday let me know.

 

[bsoileau24]

I cut the front sight block and installed a 13 inch troy vtac alpha rail

The rifle on the right

 

[1911Dave]

Another vote for vtac with the cut fsp

 

[JCcypress]

The Troy/VTAC tubes are great, especially for the money. My personal preference is the regular Troy tubes with the round holes, versus the VTAC slots. I just feel like you have better mounting options.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[Jack]

The Troy/VTAC tubes are great, especially for the money. My personal preference is the regular Troy tubes with the round holes, versus the VTAC slots. I just feel like you have better mounting options.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Really? My experience is the opposite. I found it harder to find mounts for the regular alpha tube and though the circular holes acted like a cheese grater on my hands.

 

[FTRrookie]

I was reading a discussion about the advantages of installing a free float hand guard on another forum and this is one persons view:

Chicks Dig FF rails way more than snap in clamshells...

You will get more chicks and they will be better looking...

FF = MP

I laughed so hard when I read that I had to share. At least the guy had his priorities straight.