Free float hand guard question

[selectz]

Hey guys,

I have a WE 888C (416) that I'm going to be building a second upper for. One for CQB and one as a DMR build (I'll be using a regular WE m4 upper for the DMR build).

I've been looking at free float hand guards for the DMR build as I like the banana under the hand guard look but I have a concern.

Obviously free float hand guards are good for real steel as the barrels are able to support themselves but does an airsoft barrel not suffer from the lack of support other than the barrel lug at the receiver?

It seems like the flimsy inner/outer barrels used in airsoft wouldn't bode well to a free float hand guard leading to poor stability/consistency, especially with the weight of a can on the end.

Any one have any insight on this?

Thanks,

Joe

[Ricochet]

You'll be fine bud. There's a few airsoft companies that may not be 100% 1:1 with real-steel, so make sure yours is. Other than that you should be able to use real-steel parts with ease where applicable.

[Slodin]

I'm pretty sure WE M4 are fine with RS rails.
they mount the same way and there are no problems with them being "flimsy" since the outer barrel is locked in the nut..

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by selectz

Obviously free float hand guards are good for real steel as the barrels are able to support themselves but does an airsoft barrel

You mean like any AR in existence is built, using a barrel nut to secure the outer barrel to the receiver? And airsoft AR's as well?

Hmm.....

[ThunderCactus]

Almost every airsoft MFG of M4, 416, whatever uses the same design as RS to hold the barrel down. Only difference is the barrels are usually aluminum instead of steel, metric barrel nut, and slightly larger hole through the barrel.

As long as you have a metal upper and single piece outer barrel, it's plenty rigid. If you have barrel wobble with a free float rail, then just like in RS, you need barrel nut shims.