AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

Tactical30

Tactical30

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May 5, 2009
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#1
I am building a Service Rifle Type AR-15 with extra parts and was wondering if I should invest in the (Compass Lake) Service Free Float Tube Kit. Or any other brand, doesnt have to be Compass Lake but I heard they make the best one.

Im just going to be using this for target shooting but no match shooting. Just paper pokin at the local range.

Should I invest in one of these tube kits? Worth it?

<span style="font-weight: bold">Compass lake has the whole kit:</span>
- Float Tube
- BBl Nut
- Gas Block
- comes with something else but cant remember what it is.
$140.00
 
#3
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

+1

FF tubes really help with repeatable accuracy in any AR.
Even when shooting off sand bags and especially when slung up.
Finger pressure on the barrel will shift the POI a surprisingly large amount.
 
#5
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

If you ever want your AR to do any precision work then you have to free float it.

As far as Compass lake goes I highly recommend them. Frank White is a good guy and his products and services are top notch.
 
#7
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

I would shoot it first and see if it does what you want.

The majority of ar's are not free floated which is fine for 90% of people.

Like was said above shooting slung up is where you will see the biggest difference
 
#8
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

Float tube it. I shot across the course service rifle competition and it is the way to go. I also use the Compass Lake tube it is well built you will not be sorry.


Brian
 
#10
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

So using a loop sling tourniquet-tight on the 2-3-500 yard line on a standard M16A4 w/ ACOG will significantly affect the rifle's POI? Guess I should loosen it up a bit next time...
 
#11
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WusteHase</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So using a loop sling tourniquet-tight on the 2-3-500 yard line on a standard M16A4 w/ ACOG will significantly affect the rifle's POI? Guess I should loosen it up a bit next time... </div></div>

Some folks are looking for smaller targets than mil qual targets. We're not talking feet here in POI shift with sling pressure under 500, but sling pressure will affect POI.
 
#13
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

Actually I think we might be talking feet at those distances.
At 50 yards, just resting the barrel on sandbags and not the float tube shifted mine up about 2-3" and the barrel is almost full inch in diameter under the handgaurds.
I even notice a shift under sling tension with my free float tube but it is small and very repeatable. (mabout 0.5 moa at 600 yards.)

If you get your barreled action in a vice try applying pressure to the barrel and look for deflection.
You can easily see it with even light pressure.
We all know what this means but it really drives home the importance of insulating forces from the barrel (and sights).
 
#14
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

longrange30 said, <snipped... "Im (sic)just going to be using this for target shooting but no match shooting. Just paper pokin at the local range." snipped>

longrange30,

You sure DON'T need a SR float tube. Too much weight and no benefit to you since you aren't a competitor. Badger, JP, even DPMS or Hogue make float tubes that are half or 1/4 the weight. Save your ass, cut down on the weight.

Might even think of recontouring that SR barrel, not down to pencil thin but there is no reason to have the weight for your intended use.

Might even cut your barrel down to 18". Not like it matters that much...

If you really want versatile, go for an A4 and send your carryhandle sight to White Oak for their match sight, and you can use an Armalite screw fasten A4 gas block and have detach irons you set with the rear indexed at -0-.

With a light float tube and lighter contour match barrel, plus A4 sights, you will have it all. If you have a 1:6.5 twist, you can single load 80 & 90 gr VLD ctgs and shoot way past 600yds with fine accuracy.

If you want a Long Range Precision AR-15, I endorse the Badger stabilizer handguard as the better choice, although the various longrange gurus like White Oak and 6mmAR.com sell "space gun" tubes that are lighter.

You are on the right track to lightweight AR precision.
Good luck.
 
#15
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

Yes, again, for all the reasons above. if you're installing it yourself, it's very important to cycle the threads on the barrel nut, and use a good moly grease on the threads. Cycling the threds means tightening and loosening a min. of 5 times before the final tighten. If you're looking for real accuracy, you might check the face of the upper receiver where the barrel mating surface is and make sure it's square with the receiver. It's surprising how many aren't.
 
#16
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

Bignada is right, if you are not competing in National Match, that handguard is not necessary, as it is heavier than most of the other options. Having said that, I put a service rifle together just so I could have one, & it has motivated me to become more proficient at using iron sights. DO IT.
I am not a National Match competitor.
 
#17
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steelcomp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, again, for all the reasons above. if you're installing it yourself, it's very important to cycle the threads on the barrel nut, and use a good moly grease on the threads. Cycling the threds means tightening and loosening a min. of 5 times before the final tighten. If you're looking for real accuracy, you might check the face of the upper receiver where the barrel mating surface is and make sure it's square with the receiver. It's surprising how many aren't. </div></div>

Brownell's sells a tool for squaring up the receiver. Its cheap and easy to use.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=20220/Product/AR_15_M16_UPPER_RECEIVER_LAPPING_TOOL
 
#18
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ninpo2006</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steelcomp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, again, for all the reasons above. if you're installing it yourself, it's very important to cycle the threads on the barrel nut, and use a good moly grease on the threads. Cycling the threds means tightening and loosening a min. of 5 times before the final tighten. If you're looking for real accuracy, you might check the face of the upper receiver where the barrel mating surface is and make sure it's square with the receiver. It's surprising how many aren't. </div></div>

Brownell's sells a tool for squaring up the receiver. Its cheap and easy to use.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=20220/Product/AR_15_M16_UPPER_RECEIVER_LAPPING_TOOL </div></div>I am going to buy one from Midway. I want one for an AR10, too. Where could I find one?
 
#19
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AlcoholicusRex</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ninpo2006</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steelcomp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, again, for all the reasons above. if you're installing it yourself, it's very important to cycle the threads on the barrel nut, and use a good moly grease on the threads. Cycling the threds means tightening and loosening a min. of 5 times before the final tighten. If you're looking for real accuracy, you might check the face of the upper receiver where the barrel mating surface is and make sure it's square with the receiver. It's surprising how many aren't. </div></div>

Brownell's sells a tool for squaring up the receiver. Its cheap and easy to use.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=20220/Product/AR_15_M16_UPPER_RECEIVER_LAPPING_TOOL </div></div>I am going to buy one from Midway. I want one for an AR10, too. Where could I find one? </div></div>I wasn't able to find one for an AR10. I'll be making one soon. The "chep" ones are OK, but not terribly accurate IMO. That's a critical surface and deserves a little more precisiion.
 
#21
Re: AR Service Free Float Tube/ Worth it?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hamilton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Actually I think we might be talking feet at those distances.
At 50 yards, just resting the barrel on sandbags and not the float tube shifted mine up about 2-3" and the barrel is almost full inch in diameter under the handgaurds.</div></div>

4-6 MOA shift at 50 yards, just resting 1" barrel on bags, is a mind-blower for me. I get 1 MOA easy with my Noveske N4 (medium-ish contour) with standard plastic handguards and iron sights.
 
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