Any free float tube hand guard with sling mounts?

bcrash15 · November 26, 2012, 08:42 PM

I'm trying to find a free float tube for a rifle length AR, but I can't find a simple tube with a sling swivel so I can put tension on the sling worry-free. I don't really need/want rails, I do a lot of shooting off rests and bags. I have seen some "user-addition" swivels involving tapping a new hole in the tube and mounting a swivel, but I would be worried about thread clocking if the tube doesn't mechanically index to something (some rail hand guards seem to do this, but not but any of the basic tubes I have seen). I guess my backup plan is to go with a set of national match hand guards, since they relocate the sling swivel to the end of the under float tube.

Technosavant · November 26, 2012, 09:00 PM

Most of the bare tubes don't have one of those pre-installed because it may not clock properly out of the box, hence the DIY method.

You could look into something like the Midwest Industries Gen 2 SS- very thin and light with the ability to install an included swivel, but it's not a simple tube.

Creeper · November 26, 2012, 09:01 PM

JP makes the VTAC tube (in a few lengths) that comes with 2 QD studs. Not a low buck "tube" though.

Metal god · November 26, 2012, 09:34 PM

YHM Tod Jerret hand guard just has the quad rail up at the front . I have a mid length one and I like it alot . http://www.midwayusa.com/product/269...rd-ar-15-matte

mitranoc · November 26, 2012, 09:36 PM

I have a JP rifle length tube on my VTAC. I use an Uncle Mike's QD swivel - and it works well.

bcrash15 · November 26, 2012, 10:32 PM

I like both the JD and the YHM. I was actually looking at a mid-length upper with just that YHM hand guard on it and was just about to click the "buy" button earlier (but that was for another project

). I'm guessing to get around the clocking issue any free float tube is going to need some sort of jam nut system to lock it to a certain rotation.

madcratebuilder · November 28, 2012, 09:19 AM

Apex hand guards have integrated QD points.

SWS hand guards have integrated QD points

Many others have QD attaching points that can be added to the hand guard. This is from MI.

BillyJack3 · November 28, 2012, 03:30 PM

I'd go with a hand guard (Troy, Samson...) that have options for a QD mount. Then you can place it where you want it.

http://www.samson-mfg.com/ar-15_html...nting_Kit.html

BoomieMCT · November 28, 2012, 03:31 PM

The Rock River aluminum FF tubes are a straight tube with a sling swivel. &75 for a rifle length one.

gunfighter48 · November 28, 2012, 10:26 PM

MI handguards have QD swivel points built into their handgruards.

bcrash15 · December 3, 2012, 09:46 PM

Ya, seems like there are actually a number of options out there. I was planning on a basic tube, just for cost reasons, but I'm not opposed to some of the more capable ones. I might have to go that route and look into the QDs. Thanks for the info and pictures!

rebs · December 4, 2012, 06:29 AM

Windham Weaponry sells a rifle length free float with a sling stud for around $75.00

bcrash15 · December 4, 2012, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebs

Windham Weaponry sells a rifle length free float with a sling stud for around $75.00 "

Nice, for that price point and pretty much doing all I need, that is seeming like a very attractive choice for this rifle.

tul9033 · December 4, 2012, 09:51 PM

I've really grown to like the YHM Spector. You can buy plugs to plug the unused holes to boot.

darkgael · December 6, 2012, 05:28 AM

Rock River Arms has a NM free float sleeve w. handguard and sling swivel at Brownells for $100. Legal for DCM competition.
I have one on my Colt.
Pete

nyc71 · December 9, 2012, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyJack3

I'd go with a hand guard (Troy, Samson...) that have options for a QD mount. Then you can place it where you want it.

http://www.samson-mfg.com/ar-15_html...nting_Kit.html

Thanks for the link.

bcrash15 · December 10, 2012, 02:51 AM

Interesting, I had assumed the only source of NM sleeves was Armalite, that is good to know.

mavracer · December 10, 2012, 08:49 AM

I get the cheap Model 1 tubes and just drill and tap mine after installation, that eliminates any clocking issues.

November 26, 2012, 08:42 PM	#1
bcrash15 Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2007 Posts: 455	Any free float tube hand guard with sling mounts? I'm trying to find a free float tube for a rifle length AR, but I can't find a simple tube with a sling swivel so I can put tension on the sling worry-free. I don't really need/want rails, I do a lot of shooting off rests and bags. I have seen some "user-addition" swivels involving tapping a new hole in the tube and mounting a swivel, but I would be worried about thread clocking if the tube doesn't mechanically index to something (some rail hand guards seem to do this, but not but any of the basic tubes I have seen). I guess my backup plan is to go with a set of national match hand guards, since they relocate the sling swivel to the end of the under float tube.

November 26, 2012, 09:01 PM	#3
Creeper Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Woooooshington Posts: 1,797	JP makes the VTAC tube (in a few lengths) that comes with 2 QD studs. Not a low buck "tube" though. __________________ Shoulder Drive Nicholson Club

November 26, 2012, 09:34 PM	#4
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,875	YHM Tod Jerret hand guard just has the quad rail up at the front . I have a mid length one and I like it alot . http://www.midwayusa.com/product/269...rd-ar-15-matte __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

November 28, 2012, 10:26 PM	#10
gunfighter48 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2006 Location: Mill Creek, WA Posts: 167	MI handguards have QD swivel points built into their handgruards. __________________ gunfighter48 A 45 may not expand but it will never be smaller than .45!! NRA Benefactor Life Member

December 6, 2012, 05:28 AM	#15
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	Free Rock River Arms has a NM free float sleeve w. handguard and sling swivel at Brownells for $100. Legal for DCM competition. I have one on my Colt. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

November 26, 2012, 09:00 PM	#2
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	Most of the bare tubes don't have one of those pre-installed because it may not clock properly out of the box, hence the DIY method. You could look into something like the Midwest Industries Gen 2 SS- very thin and light with the ability to install an included swivel, but it's not a simple tube.

November 26, 2012, 09:36 PM	#5
mitranoc Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2011 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 337	I have a JP rifle length tube on my VTAC. I use an Uncle Mike's QD swivel - and it works well.

November 26, 2012, 10:32 PM	#6
bcrash15 Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2007 Posts: 455	I like both the JD and the YHM. I was actually looking at a mid-length upper with just that YHM hand guard on it and was just about to click the "buy" button earlier (but that was for another project ). I'm guessing to get around the clocking issue any free float tube is going to need some sort of jam nut system to lock it to a certain rotation.

November 28, 2012, 09:19 AM	#7
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	Apex hand guards have integrated QD points. SWS hand guards have integrated QD points Many others have QD attaching points that can be added to the hand guard. This is from MI.

November 28, 2012, 03:30 PM	#8
BillyJack3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2012 Posts: 423	I'd go with a hand guard (Troy, Samson...) that have options for a QD mount. Then you can place it where you want it. http://www.samson-mfg.com/ar-15_html...nting_Kit.html

November 28, 2012, 03:31 PM	#9
BoomieMCT Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2010 Posts: 212	The Rock River aluminum FF tubes are a straight tube with a sling swivel. &75 for a rifle length one.

December 3, 2012, 09:46 PM	#11
bcrash15 Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2007 Posts: 455	Ya, seems like there are actually a number of options out there. I was planning on a basic tube, just for cost reasons, but I'm not opposed to some of the more capable ones. I might have to go that route and look into the QDs. Thanks for the info and pictures!

December 4, 2012, 06:29 AM	#12
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Windham Weaponry sells a rifle length free float with a sling stud for around $75.00

December 4, 2012, 09:51 PM	#14
tul9033 Junior Member Join Date: June 16, 2012 Posts: 7	I've really grown to like the YHM Spector. You can buy plugs to plug the unused holes to boot.

December 10, 2012, 02:51 AM	#17
bcrash15 Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2007 Posts: 455	Interesting, I had assumed the only source of NM sleeves was Armalite, that is good to know.

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