Looking to upgrade a basic AR? I need some help

D

danb303

Full Member
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 26, 2009
192
0
Alabama
#1
I have a carbine length with a collapsible stock and I want to do some add ons to help the looks. I am mainly trying to find a hand guard maybe a free floating tube. I was thinking of a Hogue tube but then I think I might want a vertical grip.
I don't care for the quad rails and I'm not sure what length tube I want.
Also, if I do a longer length tube don't I have to do a low profile gas block? My gas block is a short one with a rail on top. Is that a low profile?
It has a 16" barrel.
Any advice or pictures that might help me decide?
I have been a bolt gun guy and bought an AR a couple years ago. It was what I wanted (varmint RRA) so I didn't play around with it. Now I want make this one tactiCOOL
 
#3
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

I feel buzzards circling this already.

Define mean...something like "if you touch my gun it will give you an STD mean" or "I will paint shark teeth, a chain saw, barbed wire stickers and maybe a pirate theme mean"?

Clowns and mimes still scare the shit out of me so if you want it mean to keep me away go with that.

PS Thanks for the evening entertainment, this should be good.
 
#4
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

Yeah, people on here rip people for everything. Funny thing is that forums are or should be for beginners and new guys to something can ask the more experienced people for help or advice.
Looking thru catalogs it's hard to get an idea of what all these rails will look like on a gun.
Thanks for the heads up
 
#5
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

I built this rig about a year ago, and have added a little to it since then.
tacticoolAR15_zps1ec65d93.jpg


Sorry, just had to do it.
 
#7
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

hey man.... who cares what others think?? EVERYONE is new at one point... it takes asking alot of questions and a lot of experiences ... some times stupid ones.... to not be new.... if people are not mature enough to just charlie mike and not bother, that just means they have nothing better to do with their life....

as per your post.... the best advice I give to people when they ask what looks good??? my answer is what ever gets your dick hard... everyone will have a different opinion of what a rifle should look like... but the only one that matters about your rifle, is in the end your opinion
 
#8
Re: Looking to upgrade a basic AR? I need some help

Slightly confused as to what you are wanting; you say that you want a tactical looking rig, and then go on to say you don't want a quad-rail? Maybe you want something like a JPHG-1M or a Lancer carbon fiber hand-guard....It all depends on what you will be using it for... you have to specify.
smirk.gif
 
#9
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

I've seen a couple people who need to move over to the I know every f ing thing forum. It would be full of great advise. Lol
 
#11
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

Its not about being new and people just wanting to make fun of someone. It's more about people here take shooting pretty serious. I don't put shit on my rifles that make them look mean. I use things with my rifle that make it more efficient, less prone to breaking, lighter and more maneuverable, more accurate, and allows me any edge over a bad guy. I could give two shits what it looks like.
 
#12
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

I kind of like the diamondhead V-RS-T 13.5

I'm not sure I like the longer rails on the carbines. Too bad you can't try them on before you buy them Lol some of the newer stuff doesn't have a lot of pics on the web yet
 
#13
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

This is a 12" troy rail. Had a 13.8 quad rail on it before and I much prefer this rail. Quad rails are overrated and the weight really sucks unless its really a target rifle.

crappy cell pic:
ar15_zpsd1a03631.jpg
 
#16
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

Dan thanks for clarifying your post. What you have now in the original question is much different that asking for a "mean looking" AR. New or not, when someone asks for guidance with a reasonable question they in turn receive good and very reasonable advice.
 
#17
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

The troy rail is nice, but I went for the daniel defense rail. Same weight and everything, I just liked the look of slick side vs ribbed. As far as upgrading though, the K.I.S.S. method never fails (keep it simple, stupid). A free float rail is probably your best bet, maybe then change out the stock if it's not comfortable, ad and optic if you please and leave it at that. It's when you start adding 80lbs of rails, lasers, flashlights, bipod/vertical fore grips, and all that other non-sense that it get ridiculous.

In short, get your float tube de jour, a VFG and call it a day.
 
#18
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 317millhand</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I built this rig about a year ago, and have added a little to it since then.
tacticoolAR15_zps1ec65d93.jpg


Sorry, just had to do it. </div></div>

what the hell..i can still see exposed rail...get some more stuff to put on it
laugh.gif
 
#21
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Maelek</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 317millhand</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I built this rig about a year ago, and have added a little to it since then.
tacticoolAR15_zps1ec65d93.jpg


Sorry, just had to do it. </div></div>

what the hell..i can still see exposed rail...get some more stuff to put on it
laugh.gif


</div></div>

You need a pair of those camo truck nuts on that thing!
 
#22
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

My CQB setup is rockin a Centurion Arms rail. Check them out here:

http://www.centurionarms.net/index.php?p...t&Itemid=47

It still allows for a fixed front sight and is completely free float. The upside is that it is modular. You can remove it without pulling the front sight off. IE, easier to replace or clean you gas tube, ect. They also are shaped more oval and creates a comfortable feel on the hands either w/ or w/o vert grip. I put Larue individual handguard clips on it as well and they feel awesome.

Oh yeah, and it looks completley badass.
 
#23
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

I love Samson Evolution rails. I have the 15 inch on mine with no rails but available if I want to put them on. Its very light and it makes your gun look very sleek but also sturdy and tough. I agree about not needing all the extra rail space. Troy and Samson look alike because Scott Samson Left Troy and started his own business.....unless I have that reversed but I know its one or the other. Rainier also has their own rail but its based off the Samson Evo rail. I'll post a picture tomorrow for you and compare it to my Diamondhead rail which is only 7". Two guns, two different uses though. Do yourself a favor though and don't muck it up with shitty ass Leapers gear. You'll only be screwing yourself. In my opinion, a bad ass looking AR is simple, streamlined and built for its intended use.
 
#24
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

If your gas block has a rail on top of it, it's not a low profile.

I don't know about mean but here are some handguards:

Troy freefloat with FSP cut out, 16" barrel

arweb-1.jpg


Troy freefloat rifle length, 18" barrel, note low profile gas block.

spr2a.jpg


Samson 12.3" EVO rail, 18" barrel, low profile gas block.

sprweb-1.jpg


Midwest Ind freefloat 12" Gen 2 SS

22aweb.jpg
 
#25
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

Now THIS^^ is an informative post.

Was thinking about what handguard to use in a Grendel build myself.

Thanks for this, very useful. Do you have any other pics of handguards you could post?

(Not looking for a full quad-rail myself, but something I could just add a couple of sections of rail to, something with a nice round/oval shape near the magwell, for off-hand and a short section of rail up front/on one side for bipod/VFG and a light.)

OP, sorry to hijack your thread, but I figure you might also appreciate a few more pics to help you decide/add to your headache!

N
 
#26
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Paduan Learner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Now THIS^^ is an informative post.

Was thinking about what handguard to use in a Grendel build myself.

Thanks for this, very useful. Do you have any other pics of handguards you could post?

(Not looking for a full quad-rail myself, but something I could just add a couple of sections of rail to, something with a nice round/oval shape near the magwell, for off-hand and a short section of rail up front/on one side for bipod/VFG and a light.)

OP, sorry to hijack your thread, but I figure you might also appreciate a few more pics to help you decide/add to your headache!

N </div></div>

Thanks! Just trying to help..

Thats all I have on hand. If you want other views of them I can do that this weekend.

I hear Centurian makes a good rail, similar to the Troy rail from what I have seen.

I've ran a LaRue 12" before, it was good quality. The nut that couples it to the receiver is pretty big, big enough my Eotech hit it unless I used a riser. For a magnified optic it would be fine (or use a riser).

I like the Troy rails for ease of assembly. It uses the OEM barrel nut and is two piece. They also make a "tubular" style but I don't think you can place rail sections anywhere like the MI or Samson.

The Midwest rail is pretty small in diameter, very light. You need to use their barrel nut though (not a big deal if you have the tools). Rail sections can be placed where you want them.

The Samson rail is on my Wifes gun, it's light and uses the OEM barrel nut. Installation is easy, although there is a trick to getting it level with the receiver rail. Rail sections can be placed where you want them.
 
#27
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

I love the way Seekin's SP3r rail looks. Requires a special mounting bracket, but I believe it is provided with all necessary replacement parts. I currently run a 9' Daniel Defense Lite rail on my 16" midlength. Its a quad, but has a slightly thinner profile. It fits really well in my hand. Want to build another upper just so I can buy the SP3R

Seekins -
miv75.jpg


DD LITE Rail
s2ab0k.jpg
 
#28
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

just an idea....why dont you figure out your needs and what configuration fits those needs. im on the same page as victory. no mall ninja shit on my weapons. dont care how pretty or if the anodizing( or scratched up krylon in my case) matches etc. functionality and dependability are the order of the day..
 
#29
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is a 12" troy rail. Had a 13.8 quad rail on it before and I much prefer this rail. Quad rails are overrated and the weight really sucks unless its really a target rifle. </div></div>

There are plenty of quad rails that aren't super heavy. As a matter of fact, some are lighter than your Troy.
 
#30
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

Killswitch makes a valid point. Your needs should determine what your gun should look like. No need to put something on your gun that, while it may be aesthetically appealing, you have no use for.
 
#31
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

I have no plans for lights or lasers etc. and now I have about talked myself out of a vertical grip. I want to keep it clean and light.
 
#32
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: danb303</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I kind of like the diamondhead V-RS-T 13.5

I'm not sure I like the longer rails on the carbines. Too bad you can't try them on before you buy them Lol some of the newer stuff doesn't have a lot of pics on the web yet

</div></div>

I like their products also. Good place to start looking.
 
#34
Re: Who has the meanest looking AR? I need some help

^^^^Amazingly enough I bet some paranoid shit wipe would report that to a cop and five blacked out suburbans would be circling you in seconds
 
#37
Re: Looking to upgrade a basic AR? I need some help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 317millhand</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I built this rig about a year ago, and have added a little to it since then.
tacticoolAR15_zps1ec65d93.jpg


Sorry, just had to do it. </div></div>

lmfao....photo shopped? or did some noob actually rig this up?
 
#38
Re: Looking to upgrade a basic AR? I need some help

Nope real gun, saw this pic on arfcom before. It was however an example of poking fun at the mall ninja overkill mindset regarding hanging crap on a tacticool carbine.
 
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