AR Quad rail question

[GAM3INO]

First off, I'm sorry if this is the dumbest questions ever...

Im on my first AR, and have a 6" drop in quad rail on it right now. I really need a longer rail than that. I want a 9"-11" rail and started thinking about the gas block. 1.) How do I move the quad rail forward to accommodate the new rail once its purchased? 2.) Is it hard to instal a new gas tube? Im only assuming ill need a longer gas tube because of the longer rail. Thank you guys for any help you can give me.

 

[esrice]

Ok, first a couple things.

I'm guessing you probably currently have a 7" rail, as that would be for a "carbine-length" gas system.

Also, you can't change your gas system length by simply buying a longer gas tube.

Am I correct in assuming you have a fixed A2 front-sight base installed? If so, you'll have a couple of options.

You can either A) remove the A2 FSB and install a low-profile gas block in its place, or B) take a dremel to it and cut down the existing FSB such that a longer rail can cover it.

Either way, you'll need a 10"+ rail to cover everything up nicely.

 

[figley]

Do you have a fixed front sight base?

Never mind. You need to hook up with someone with experience, or pay to have the work done.

 

[GAM3INO]

No it's not fixed, I have a low pro gas block. And its actually a 6 1/8" rail from Midwest Industries. It's probably quoted as a 7" rail, but it is definitely not.

 

[esrice]

No it's not fixed, I have a low pro gas block.

If you already have a low-profile gas block, then all you need is a longer rail-- no modifications required.

But it would sure be odd to have a 7" (or 6 1/8") rail with a low-profile gas block sticking out of it. Especially since you said the rail was "drop in". Do you have a picture of the gun?

 

[GAM3INO]

It's what I consider a drop in. It's not a free float rail...

 

[esrice]

It's what I consider a drop in. It's not a free float rail...

Pictures are indeed worth 1000 words.

Ok, that's not a low-profile gas block. That is a railed gas block. Unfortunately a longer rail won't fit over it.

So you'll need to replace your gas block with a low-profile one, like this:

After that you'll need a 10"+ free-floating rail. Then you'll be g2g.

 

[JStarr]

BOOM! Here you go.

Troy BattleRail Bravo – 11″ | Free Float Rails

BTW you will still need a lower profile gas block for the rail to accomodate.

 

[GAM3INO]

Ahha. Thank you so much for your help!! Is there a certain block you recommend?

 

[greyhound47]

BOOM! Here you go.

Troy BattleRail Bravo – 11″ | Free Float Rails

BTW you will still need a lower profile gas block for the rail to accomodate.

Good find!

 

[esrice]

Ahha. Thank you so much for your help!! Is there a certain block you recommend?

Not really. Troy, Daniel Defense, Noveske, Spike's, LaRue, whatever.

shooter521 might have a recommendation based on ease of installation.

 

[GAM3INO]

Not really. Troy, Daniel Defense, Noveske, Spike's, LaRue, whatever.

shooter521 might have a recommendation based on ease of installation.

Ok, sounds good. Thank you again for everything. It's you and the people like you that make this site so great!

 

[esrice]

Ok, sounds good. Thank you again for everything. It's you and the people like you that make this site so great!

I appreciate the kind words.

 

[Lodogg2221]

Just wondering, what all are you putting on the rail that you need such a long rail?

I had a hard time deciding on what rail to get for mine, and in the end, price won, but I still got what I wanted, an oval rail from Double Star.
One of these days Ill get an Omega rail, but all Ive got is a light and a grip...not much else I can think of that Id want out there...but Im always open to being talked into stuff....

 

[esrice]

Just wondering, what all are you putting on the rail that you need such a long rail?

Longer rails are less about needing space for "stuff", and more about being able get the support hand further out toward the end of the barrel, thereby providing enhanced control.

 

[GAM3INO]

Just wondering, what all are you putting on the rail that you need such a long rail?

I had a hard time deciding on what rail to get for mine, and in the end, price won, but I still got what I wanted, an oval rail from Double Star.
One of these days Ill get an Omega rail, but all Ive got is a light and a grip...not much else I can think of that Id want out there...but Im always open to being talked into stuff....

I don't have much more on my rail than you, but I do have really long arms. I'm 6'4" and have really long arms, and just feel too cramped up when trying to shoot.

 

[shooter521]

Not really. Troy, Daniel Defense, Noveske, Spike's, LaRue, whatever.

shooter521 might have a recommendation based on ease of installation.

IME, the Troy is among the lowest profiles out there, in addition to being pretty affordable. I've encountered some "low profile" blocks that would not fit under certain rails. Midwest Industries and LaRue come immediately to mind.

 

[JStarr]

Ahha. Thank you so much for your help!! Is there a certain block you recommend?

These two are good. Search around both of those sites and find the one you like best.
VLTOR Low Profile Gas Block
Spike's Tactical Enhanced Adjustable Micro Gas Block (.625 w/set screw) [SUGB130] - $110.95 : Spikes Tactical

 

[shooter521]

These two are good. Search around both of those sites and find the one you like best.
VLTOR Low Profile Gas Block
Spike's Tactical Enhanced Adjustable Micro Gas Block (.625 w/set screw) [SUGB130] - $110.95 : Spikes Tactical

The VLTOR block is extremely nice and looks cool, but is

The Spikes block you linked to would not work with the OP's rifle, since his barrel has a .750" gas block seat rather than the .625". Also, since the gas block is going to be hidden under a quad rail, it would make accessing the gas adjustment feature a bit of a pain.

 

[GAM3INO]

IME, the Troy is among the lowest profiles out there, in addition to being pretty affordable. I've encountered some "low profile" blocks that would not fit under certain rails. Midwest Industries and LaRue come immediately to mind.

AWESOME!!! Thanks Shooter!!!