Your AR 15 is Not Free Floated

Published on January 24, 2021
Duration: 10:07

This guide details a practical test to demonstrate how the AR-15's gas block and tube assembly can affect barrel harmonics and accuracy. The VSO Gun Channel host, an expert firearms instructor, walks through firing groups with the gas system intact, removed, and reinstalled, using subsonic .300 Blackout ammunition to amplify potential accuracy differences. The results highlight that even components designed to be free-floated may not achieve true free-float status due to the gas system's interaction with the barrel.

Quick Summary

An AR-15's barrel cannot be truly free-floated in direct impingement systems because the gas block and tube make contact. Testing with subsonic .300 Blackout ammunition demonstrated that removing and reinstalling the gas block significantly altered shot groupings, confirming its impact on barrel harmonics and accuracy.

Chapters

  1. 00:00AR-15 Free Float Misconception
  2. 00:49Free-Floating Handguard Benefits
  3. 01:26Free-Floating Rail Drawbacks
  4. 02:10Barrel Not Truly Free Floated
  5. 02:35Experiment Setup: Gas System Impact
  6. 02:59Sponsor Message: DLD VIP
  7. 05:29Range Test: .300 Blackout Subsonics
  8. 06:23Gas Block Removed Test
  9. 07:00Gas Block Reinstalled Test
  10. 07:32Test Results and Implications
  11. 08:12Scientific Caveats and Future Test Idea

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the common misconception about AR-15 free-floating barrels?

The common belief is that an AR-15 is free-floated if its handguard is. However, for direct impingement systems, the barrel itself cannot be truly free-floated due to the gas block and gas tube making contact with it.

How does the gas block affect AR-15 accuracy?

The gas block and tube assembly interface directly with the barrel. This contact can influence barrel harmonics, leading to variations in accuracy. Testing with the gas block removed and reinstalled showed distinct differences in shot groupings.

What type of ammunition is best for testing barrel harmonic impacts?

Heavier, slower projectiles like 220-grain Fiocchi subsonic .300 Blackout ammunition are ideal for testing harmonic impacts. Their lower velocity amplifies the effects of barrel vibrations and interference, making accuracy changes more apparent.

What is a free-floated handguard on an AR-15?

A free-floated handguard attaches only to the receiver and does not touch the barrel. This design aims to prevent external forces on the handguard from affecting the barrel's natural vibration, theoretically improving accuracy.

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