What is free floating barrel?

A free floating barrel is a design feature commonly found in firearms, particularly rifles, shotguns, and some handguns. A free floating barrel means that the barrel of the gun does not come into contact with the stock or any other part of the firearm except for the action. This design allows the barrel to vibrate and resonate freely when the gun is fired, resulting in improved accuracy.

The main advantage of a free floating barrel is that it helps to eliminate barrel contact with the stock, which can cause inconsistencies in the gun's accuracy. By allowing the barrel to vibrate independently, the free floating design can help to minimize vibrations and harmonics that can affect the bullet's trajectory.

Free floating barrels are often used in precision shooting applications, such as long-range shooting or competitive shooting sports. They are also commonly found in high-end rifles designed for hunting or tactical use. Additionally, some manufacturers offer aftermarket free-floating barrel upgrades for firearms that do not originally come with this feature.

Overall, a free floating barrel can help to improve the accuracy and consistency of a firearm by allowing the barrel to vibrate freely and reducing the potential for interference from other parts of the gun.