IS it worth the time and money to float the AR?

[Desert Heat]

I was looking at my AR and it has a lot of goodies, but not enough to my picky taste. I was thinkig about adding these items to it. Is it worth the time and money? (Target shooting and a tad of competition)

(If you guys think of anything else, let me know)

http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dll/image?saleitemid=551066
http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dll/image?saleitemid=645828
http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dll/image?saleitemid=111448
http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dll/image?saleitemid=785813
http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/TR-C1C_sm.jpg

[1BadF350]

In short.......yes.

[Desert Heat]

I am debating if I should go with the Hogue handguard

[mtnbkr]

I have the hogue handguard on mine. It definately feels nice. I never shot the gun with a standard handguard (built from parts), so I can't say how well it improves accuracy. The only negative to the hogue is you have to install it with a strap wrench. I haven't had any trouble with mine since installation though. I've put about 1000rounds through it since.

Chris

[Ausserordeutlich]

I tried the Hogue on my Bushmaster Shorty and found the Hogue to have a smaller I.D. than other tubes. Regular barrel nut wrenches won't work with the Hogue. I found the Hogue to be pretty flimsy.

Go with the DPMS (looks like one in your pic). You won't be disappointed. Unless you're shooting with optics, free-floating is a waste of time.

[rgitzlaff]

I would say go for all that stuff! I don't agree with it being a waste of time to float a barrel unless you are using optics. Any amount you can improve the accuracy and consistency of your rifle, it should help your shooting no matter what as long as you are doing your part with correct technique. AR's can have amazing accuracy just using iron sights, so I think you would still be able to realize accuracy gains from floating the barrel. Plus, it's not that expensive so you might as well float it.

[Desert Heat]

I do use optics and that is about the one thing that I am going to keep on it. I have seen the hogue handguard on a lot of nice ARs, but I think they are kind of pricey, and the rifle is a DPMS, so a DPMS handguard would do it justice.

[Desert Heat]

Here is the monster now, it will be floated soon!
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j236/sksforever/100_1739.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j236/sksforever/100_1740.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j236/sksforever/100_1746.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j236/sksforever/100_1742.jpg

[mtnbkr]

Here's mine with the Hogue grip and tube:

http://mysite.verizon.net/allencb/ar.jpg

Nice and light... :)

Chris

[Desert Heat]

I like that Hogue handguard. Looks sweet. I can make mine light, take off all the cool stuff.