AR Upgrades

[adamsredlines]

x3 on cutting FSP.
It's there, it's free and it works. Any others open the possibility of misalignment or coming loose IMO. Now if you're building from scratch that's another thing...plus most others will use set screws that will need the barrel dimpled for maximum security.

 

[Droff]

If you're going to put a longer monolithic rail on it and remove the FSP, you might as well cut it off and cold blue the marks. But I think you want to buy a new gas block regardless is what I'm hearing.

Below are good options if you want to keep your FSP.

https://midwestindustriesinc.com/two-piece-ar15-free-float-m-lok-handguard/

Again, I want a longer rail, not necessarily a new gas block, just trying to understand my options here.

I'm not swapping it for an AK but appreciate the suggestions.

So cutting off the FSP will provide enough room for a longer rail without having to go with a low profile gas block? Still not sure I want to go that route and not because of the gas block.

The rail in the link above looks like a good option (extended carbine version) but the install says I need a GI barrel nut. So will the FSP need removed to get this rail installed?

Thanks for the inputs.

 

[JEVapa]

Again, I want a longer rail, not necessarily a new gas block, just trying to understand my options here.

I'm not swapping it for an AK but appreciate the suggestions.

So cutting off the FSP will provide enough room for a longer rail without having to go with a low profile gas block? Still not sure I want to go that route and not because of the gas block.

Yes.

The rail in the link above looks like a good option (extended carbine version) but the install says I need a GI barrel nut. So will the FSP need removed to get this rail installed?

If you have a standard AR with an A2 FSP, you already have a "GI" barrel nut. You shouldn't have to remove the FSP. Just remove the circlip, spring, and delta ring from the barrel nut, if that's what the instructions say. Call them, they answer questions.
If you were to use the one piece rail from DD, you would have to remove it and use their barrel nut.

EDIT: Forgot to add that any of these options that require barrel removal requires you to remove the gas tube first. So buy some extra roll pins.

 

[AKguy1985]

Just in case you don't know, you can run a red dot on an AR with a front sight post.

Yup, I have a couple like that. I only have two ARs that don't have a FSP.

 

[Droff]

It's been a bit of a learning experience but nothing wrong with that. I actually had to punch out the pins on the FSP so I could get the cap off. Instructions said to cut it off with some tin snips but that wasn't going to happen. Took my time and it ended up pretty much as expected. Thanks for all the input.

 

[dennishoddy]

I’ve cut plenty of A2 sights down. Rounded the top off and hit with cold blue. Free fix and you can change to a free float or stick with the A2 hand guard.

Yep, hacksaw and a magic marker if on a budget. Finish up with a file and some sandpaper to smooth it out and your done.