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Posted: 3/15/2014 5:52:48 PM EDT
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\When attempting to slide a free floating handguard over my upper receiver, there is interference at the bottom, on the left side. The upper receiver is a Spikes that I just bought new, and it fit my PSA lower like they were custom fitted together. This is the 1st FF handguard I've ever put on and am wondering if this sort of thing happens often. I could remove probably .020" from the edge and it would slip right on but seems to me, these things should fit as the come out of the package. I would rather not mention the brand, because I don't know for sure it isn't the receiver, but I suspect it's the handguard. Basically just want to hear from some guys that have put these on before. I have contacted the manufacturer, but probably won't hear anything until next week. Is it worth ever worrying about or should I just take a little metal off, put it on and forget about it?
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k226/1hillbilly3/handguard_zpsd4c42547.jpg |
| There's so many companies making stuff today, and with these companies pumping out product at such a rapid pace, there's always going to be the one or two pieces that slip through the cracks when it comes to QC. If its fitting on the right side and you can get away with just filing off that inside edge on the left side, I say F**k it and just do it. Nobody is going to know one way or the other and you'll probably forget about it after a week or two of it being on there anyway. |
| if it's the rail I'm thinking of I have installed one on 2 different uppers so far. I haven't had to do any fitting but they are an extremely tight fit to the upper. all long as your top rail is lined up properly, I don't see why you couldn't hit that edge with a couple passes with a file. |
| I just installed a Samson Evo free float and I know in the instructions it clearly states that it will fit "most upper receivers" and that some uppers require a little grinding / filing of the free float anti rotation tabs in order to fit properly. I dont know what brand free float you have, but check the instructions that came with it as it might say something similar |
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Quoted:
I just installed a Samson Evo free float and I know in the instructions it clearly states that it will fit "most upper receivers" and that some uppers require a little grinding / filing of the free float anti rotation tabs in order to fit properly. I dont know what brand free float you have, but check the instructions that came with it as it might say something similar Instructions didn't mention removing any metal plus I was able to speak with a rep from the company briefly yesterday on the phone. He said I shouldn't have to file anything. I sent them some more photos and am just waiting to see what I'm told. I have taken great care to not put a mark anywhere on the rifle during it's assembly. I know one thing for sure. Once I touch it with a file, the warranty is out the door, and I'm left with a handguard that might ruin the appearance of my entire rifle. |
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I have taken great care to not put a mark anywhere on the rifle during it's assembly.
I know one thing for sure. Once I touch it with a file, the warranty is out the door, and I'm left with a handguard that might ruin the appearance of my entire rifle. OP, if you have to file that one tiny little corner to make it fit, neither you nor anyone else is EVER going to see it once it's mounted. Just my $.02 |
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Just the corner won't do it. It will have to be trimmed all the way back and if I knew for sure that it wouldn't be seen, that's exactly what I would do.
Perhaps I'm being a harda$$ but I didn't buy a semi finished DIY handguard kit, this thing is supposed to fit, right out of the box. I don't get to put a new rifle together often, and just want it to look as good as possible. |
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I have installed a BCM KMR rail that was a super tight fit, if anything, only a very slight amount of filing was needed (you could of gotten it on with a few hits of a mallet, but I opted to file just so I could remove it easier if I ever had to). maybe one or two swipes maximum with a file. After that, it was a super rock solid fit. I think I prefer to have to file down a rail to make it fit as oppose to having one that is too loose and nothing can be done. Just a thought. FYI, the KMR is a beautiful rail, interesting locking mechanism and barrel nut though, somewhat more complexed than others.
If you know you can do the filing job well and without issue, I would not hesistate to make that minor fitment modification. It looks like it would be a very little amount of filing needed. I agree with some of the above, with the amount of companies making products and the real possibility that these said products need to be compatible with other company's products, it must be a headache to control tolerances to allow for the most universal fitment. |
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They offered to replace it, but most likely the replacement would fit the same as this one. Anyway, I finally gave in to temptation, got out my set of small files, put masking tape everywhere near the cut to protect areas I didn't want to cut, and went at it. I had to remove a little more than I figured plus a small area at the top. When done, I touched up all the bright aluminum with a black marker, and all is well. I want to thank everyone for the advice which ended up directing me to make the right decision. BTW, it is a UTG Pro, MTU005SS, and it fits like a glove. I guess that if they made these big enough to fit everything, they would be loose on some, and that isn't what they want to achieve.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k226/1hillbilly3/utg008_zpsdc1a9fc1.jpg http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k226/1hillbilly3/utg005_zps2998088f.jpg http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k226/1hillbilly3/utg003_zps65b63fd5.jpg http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k226/1hillbilly3/utg001_zpsd42a3d3c.jpg |
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Do you plan on shooting this rifle or do you plan to keep in in a museum air tight sealed display glass case for show and tell?.......There are so many companies now manufacturing all kinds of uppers and lowers that every handguard or any other part can't meet exact specs to match other parts. I know that any part when made from bare metal and then coated with any type of finish will add to the milled specs. Sometimes filing down is necessary for where one part meets another part. Unless you plan to keep this in a sealed glass case for show and tell only, I would just carefully file down what is needed to make it fit and then go enjoy the rest of your build. If you plan to ever shoot this rifle, a more noticeable scratch on any outer surface will be seen more than the area you are having a problem with.....When I was putting together my rifle with upgraded parts, I too wanted it to be super perfect to ones eye...but it didn't turn out that way. However I'm super happy with it overall cause it's mine.
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