AR-15 Handguard Question

[alingo2001]

Bought this upper. Had the military type handguard on it. Wanting to add a Magpul handguard to match stock and pistol grip. How much work will it involve. Do I have to change the parts on the upper, like the delta ring and gas block. Here’s how it looks after I took the handguard off. Thanks for any help. Don’t know if it matters but it’s a 7.62x39 barrel.

Edited February 4 by alingo2001

[Omega]

They make handguards that use that style.

[FrankD]

the MOE handguard posted above mounts to the delta ring, if you want a more "modern" free float MLOK style handguard you will need to pull the delta ring and use whatever barrel nut your new handguard requires.

[DL126]

If it's a free float you're after  ....

Remove gas block.

Remove old front handguard ring.

Remove delta ring with this. (Or similar)

Install new free floated handguard barrel nut with a small amount of blue loctite. (It'll come with a wrench from these guys)

Torque to 45'ish foot pounds. (Torque wrench positioned 90* to wrench opening)

Finally, reinstall gas block, (tiny amount of blue loctite on set screws), then the new handguard.

Then go to the range and let freedom ring! pew pew

ETA: I've run into one rifle that someone built themselves and they had put something on the gas block set screws stronger than blue loctite. I had to use a propane torch to heat the screws enough to turn 'em.

Edited February 5 by DL126

[deerslayer]

Most manufacturers recommend some sort of anti-seize on the upper receiver threads/barrel nut instead of thread locker.  

Also, if you get a modern free float handguard, you will almost certainly need to switch to a low profile gas block.  

[Omega]

I've seen many mods that file the front sight/gas block and reuse it, but I think it is too much work to do that, much easier and cheaper to just replace the gas block.  This vid does a good job of showing the conversion of the hand guard over to a free float.  I just think that there isn't much gained by doing that, unless like me, you dislike the front sight,

 

Edited Wednesday at 04:49 PM by Omega

[RED333]

1 hour ago, deerslayer said:

Also, if you get a modern free float handguard, you will almost certainly need to switch to a low profile gas block.

By the picture, it looks low profile already

[deerslayer]

25 minutes ago, RED333 said:

By the picture, it looks low profile already

I think you’re right (I think I had his gun mixed up with Omega’s pic).  He would have to lose the end cap, though.  

Edited Wednesday at 05:18 PM by deerslayer

[deerslayer]

26 minutes ago, Omega said:

I've seen many mods that file the front sight/gas block and reuse it, but I think it is too much work to do that, much easier and cheaper to just replace the gas block.  

A lot of M&P 15 owners online did just that.  After putting an Aero handguard on my mine, I can see why.  The gas block (and barrel nut) was a cage fight.  Smith wanted that gun to be bomb proof.  
I recently put a new handguard on my M&P 10 and it was a breeze.  The gas block was a clamp-on and the barrel nut didn’t act like it was put on with JB Weld.  

[Omega]

On 2/5/2025 at 11:17 AM, deerslayer said:

A lot of M&P 15 owners online did just that.  After putting an Aero handguard on my mine, I can see why.  The gas block (and barrel nut) was a cage fight.  Smith wanted that gun to be bomb proof.  
I recently put a new handguard on my M&P 10 and it was a breeze.  The gas block was a clamp-on and the barrel nut didn’t act like it was put on with JB Weld.  

Mine was a flat top, but still has a high gas block.  I just placed a SOPMOD hand guard on it, may go free float if I decide to make it a different caliber.

[deerslayer]

57 minutes ago, Omega said:

Mine was a flat top, but still has a high gas block.  I just placed a SOPMOD hand guard on it, may go free float if I decide to make it a different caliber.

That is exactly what mine looked like.  

If you do ever remove the gas block, the pins are tapered opposite of most brands.  I’ve already forgotten if they come out right-left or left-right lol

Edited Thursday at 06:32 PM by deerslayer

[Omega]

8 hours ago, deerslayer said:

That is exactly what mine looked like.  

If you do ever remove the gas block, the pins are tapered opposite of most brands.  I’ve already forgotten if they come out right-left or left-right lol

Oh yea, I know all too well.