Home >> Collecting >> Gun Collecting

How to Change a Free Float Tube on an AR-15

Having a free float tube on your AR 15 greatly improves the accuracy of the rifle. The free float tube replaces the traditional hand guards which are attached to the rifle at the base of the barrel and at the front sight, the stress of the attachment on the front sight can adversely influence the barrel accuracy. A free float tube is attached to the rifle only at the base of the barrel and therefore any stress applied to the float tube does not affect the barrel. Changing the free flow tube is a simple process that requires only a few basic tools.

Things You'll Need

Small hammer
Pin punch

Instructions

- 1
  Unscrew the flash suppressor or muzzle break--if installed--from the end of your barrel. Many models of AR-15 rifles are now produced without flash suppressors.
- 2
  Using your pin punch and small hammer, tap out the gas tube retention pin from the front sight base and detach the gas tube. Tap out the front sight retention pin--which holds the sight base on the barrel--and slide the front sight off the barrel.
- 3
  Unscrew the old float tube off the barrel nut and remove it.
- 4
  Place the new free float tube onto your rifle and reattach the gas tube to the front side base with a tapered retention pin--use your small hammer to tap into position.
- 5
  Securely screw the free float tube onto the barrel nut and secure the front sight base to the barrel by tapping in the sight retention pin.
- 6
  Screw your flash suppressor or muzzle break back into position.

Gun Collecting