My Town Officially Sucks For Free Float Handguards, And AR Accessories.

[twyacht]

I had a couple days off...Built my "Frankenstein" AR, back in Jan/Feb this year. Installed a non-railed,non-vented, free-floating handguard from YHM. Simple, but gets very hot after multiple mags. A couple pics:




Well, in the 90+ degree heat of S. Florida,....running multiple mags makes it too damn hot. Like fried egg hot.

So I decided to "support" my local dealers, and set upon a quest to find a Carbine Length Free Float Handguard. Nothing out of control, Daniel Defense, VLTOR, YHM, Troy Industries, etc,....just something that vents the heat faster than what I have, without breaking the bank, and put panels on...A few rails,....some perforations for heat,...etc,..

Did some research, made some calls,....and burned a tank of fuel covering 3 counties. The folks that didn't have it, said they could order it,.Gee, so can I.....

The ones that did have a free float, wanted more than a LaRue Tactical Handguard, topshelf IMHO, (about $250) or A Knights Armament for $409.00.. Which was too big in diameter, and would have to change my gas block.

REALLY!!!?? They wonder why I go online to bravocompany, Brownells, or Midway, Cheaperthandirt, Botach,....GEEZ!!!

This goes along the lines of the gun show disappointment thread.....What planet are these guys on?

$400? I could get another complete upper and a YHM or Troy, or MI for that.

I ended up ordering a 7" YHM Free Float Handguard Diamond Spectre Carbine length, with priority shipping from Midway. for less than $120.

Sale runs through August.

The customer service was another issue....Who hires this $7.00 help that knows NOTHING!!!! Wears a black T-shirt and thinks he's cool???

The other guys tried to help,...found mid-length and rifle stuff, plenty of drop ins "If" I wanted to add a "D" ring and cap,...(which they didn't HAVE ANYWAY").....

Sad, a large metro area, can;t give a shooter the option to get what he wants, or charge you a ridiculous price....$400,.....

Damn,....I tried...Having a 20 something tell me I "should have" done anything,...is enough to make me kick my dog...(jus' kidding). But geez.....

New handguard comes Tues. via Big Brown Truck....

Thanks for the rant...

tw

[tombogan03884]

Buy guns and ammo local to support local.
But for aftermarket local is a waste of time.
The local guy can't afford to stock a few of everything, and for most accessories he is going to pay the same price you will then tack on some profit.
you're better off just ordering it yourself.

[twyacht]

Your right Tom, I even stopped by the "Gunocologist " a local gunsmith, to chat and see the prices of accessory add-ons....

Told him my plan, had the rifle with me, and literally choked at his quote of $150. To add a free float handguard....

I participate in a group ammo buy club, once a month to keep the stocks up at a "fair" price,...But dayummm....

I need my smith license,...$150 for 20 minutes worth of work?

Wow....

[Badgersmilk]

I can't remember ever being in a gun store and not hearing an ear full of "professional opinions" from every "expert" in the place.  The best to memory (I'll never forget) is when I bought my Beretta .22 Bobcat and heard how it'd "hit targets at a hundred yards"...  This from an employee at Williams Gun Sights.  

Same store, different occasion, I asked if somebody there knew what thread size a Rem. 870 front bead was.  "Oh, we just drill and tap them anytime we change one out.  We'll put whatever you got on for $40 bucks."  TO INSTALL A BEAD SIGHT ON A SHOTGUN!!!  

When I bought my Super Nova they almost wouldn't sell it to me because they noticed the barrels have different serial numbers than the receivers...  Thought someone had been tampering with all their guns.  

Buying online:  No taxes!  Better prices!  And no retarded "expert" BS!  

Gun shows?  I've actually had GREAT experiences at as well.  Many times over many years.  

Local shops want to survive?  Raise the standard!  

[alfsauve]

I forgot is yours a DI or piston system?

The part I couldn't find in Atlanta was the charging handle.   Found a cheap one, $15, at the little gun show yesterday.
(FYI, we're trying to do as much cash right now, so I didn't want to order something on-line that should be a no-brainer locally)

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