I headed to the range the next day as the temperature was 79 degrees with a slight breeze that was coming in from the left side. This breeze was blocked by the range’s side berm, so I doubted that it would have any effect on a 100 yard shot. After rezeroing the Aimpoint, I shot a series of five-round groups with the same lot of Hornady T2.

This time my best group measured 1/2 inch, an improvement of more than 50 percent. There’s no reason to suspect that other rifles or other fore-ends would give significantly different results, so in my opinion, free-floating an AR-15 barrel does increase its accuracy at a noticeable level.

But to answer the SWAT sergeant’s question about whether a free-float barrel is worth the extra money for his team? I would have to say “no.” In the tactical environment in which his team is likely to operate—engaging chest-size targets anywhere from five to 50 yards—I think they could use funds to purchase other items team members might need.

Is it worth it to the sportsman who uses his AR in three-gun competition, hunting or who likes to outshoot his buddies on the range on Saturday? You bet. Here the added accuracy can mean the difference between first and last place or connecting on a distant varmint.

Accuracy will always be mission specific. In the end, only the shooter can decide how much accuracy he needs or wants for a given purpose. Can a gun be too accurate, provided reliability is not affected? I think not.