The AR 15 is perhaps one of the most user-friendly options in guns, which is one of the reasons it is so popular. With all the possible upgrades and customization options for the gun, it is no wonder that there are so many options for aftermarket types of parts and components.
Some of the upgrades to the weapon are purely for aesthetics or to give the gun a specific look. Others double to both provide a unique appearance to the gun as well as to improve comfort in handling and firing the weapon for the shooter. The choice of an AR 15 handguard is a good example of an upgrade that serves more than one function.
Drop-In
The drop-in handguard for the AR 15 is designed to attach to the weapon with pressure from the delta ring assembly as well as the fixed sight base at the front.
The design of the drop-in handguard is actually two pieces that allow for quick and easy installation without the need to remove either the delta ring or the fixed sight base. There will also be no need to remove the barrel, which makes installation a relatively simple task, but there is a need to choose the right length.
Drop-in AR 15 handguard, due to their configuration and installation method, do move slightly. They are lightweight and tend to be lower in price than the free-floating options.
Free Float
The free-floating AR 15 handguard tends to be heavier and slightly more expensive than the drop-in option, but they are also easy to install. As they “float” and do not touch the barrel at all, they do not move, which is important for accuracy for many shooters.
For those who will be using optics or lasers, the free-floating is the best choice. This is typically the case with most shooters, which is why the free-floating design tends to be the most popular.
