I formally had an Armalite AR with the genuine plain jane black Milspec handguard. Now I have a Stag Arms rifle in standard trim (both are 16" Carbines) except the stag has a fat hand guard and the Armalite was slim. Is there a rhyme or reason for that? Is one old school and new ARs now use the slim or fat ones? I much prefer the slim ones and I'm debating my options (change it to a drop in slim, leave it alone or just go ahead and put a free float rail on it). The last option is appealing but I already have a rifle with a free float rail and I bought this one to keep simple. Also debating on just popping in a Magpul MOE hand guard with M-lok. Personally, out of the drop in types, I think the slim Milspec type to look the best. Any ideas or opinions on this? One reason to keep it drop in it has a back up iron sight, it's already sighted in with this FSB in the event I ever have a need to pop the scope off.

The 'fat' guards are the newer type with double heat shields.
This was the last version before Uncle went with rails for everything.
The double shield was to provide extra protection for the shooter's hands.
What it actually did was retain heat and worsen overheating when firing lots of rounds downrange.

DSG has Midwest 10.5" rails on sale for $129. Very tempted to snap one up tonight but then I need to swap my FSB for a low profile gas block and eventually buy a flip up front sight. Probably worth it in the long run.

Is there a low profile gas block you would recommend. Pinned, clamp on, set screws, etc? BCM has one with two set screws on bottom for $45 but I wonder if that's just paying for name or is it worth it? Mine is a Milspec 16" barrel so I'm pretty sure it's a .750" ID.

After some browsing tonight, I found this Troy Battlefield 12" MRF CX. Uses the existing barrel nut (I think you cut your delta ring off and possibly the front retainer) and existing FSB. Supposedly, you don't have to remove front sight base or muzzle devise and I kinda like that it's just a quad rail. I know the M-Lok and Keymod are all the rage right now but a quad rail is simple and stronger being one piece. http://palmettostatearmory.com/troy-mrf-cx-battlerail-12-srai-mrf-c2bt-00.html

Any of the better known names, Geissele, Daniel Defense, Troy, Yankee Hill, Sadlak etc. are good to go.

You're probably right that you'll have to cut off the handguard ring.

Front sight. Saves having to replace it with a folding front.

--
Of the Troops & For the Troops

I switched to a simple Magpul, works great.

I bought this rifle specifically to have a basic Milspec (it "almost" is) rifle that's simple and dependable. It's all that and very reliable and accurate. It doesn't need much. I put a BCM trigger in it...a very nice two stage Milspec trigger upgrade over the gritty single stage it had. Planning on putting a Magpul CTR stock like I have on my other rifle and a Magpul pistol grip on it anyway. It may get an FDE upgrade:) I emailed Troy about that rail and they emailed me right back saying yes, it would work on my particular gun but that they have a two piece drop in free float rail that you don't even have to remove the delta ring. Very cool set up for going free float, full rail and keeping your rifle 100% original. You could pop it off and instal your plastic hand guard in five minutes but I just can't justify spending $250 on a FFR.

Simple, light, and stays cool enough to easily hang on to even after several mags of rapid fire.

Are a space in the gun rack you throw money into.

THAT is the truth! I have to really resist. I bought everything I want for it an hour or so ago...Magpul MOE CTR stock, enhanced trigger guard, K2 pistol grip and original (non slim line) hand guard (so I can utilize my sling swivel mounted on the FSB), and a GI type plain cotton sling...not really a fan of nylon. That should have this rifle in finished form and all that was significantly less than an average free float rail. I have all that on my other AR. That one is a money pit and I'm glad I decided to keep this one simple.

Times Two,,,,,,,,,Ugly as sin but is thinner and has rail sections...Around 30.00 does not hurt it either.

A QD Mount for the rear of the sling, if I don't just run it through one of the sling slots on the CTR stock. I need two QD's to put a sling on the other rifle and I searched Midway and they don't have just a QD swivel for a sling that doesn't also come with a picatinny mount or some such. I may have to try Brownells.

For my Glock 19, in black. Will get in touch:)