loose handguard on AR 15

[Bob P]

The fecking handguard on my AR is loose. It shifts about 1/4" left to right and I've notice a degradation in my accurracy since it started doing that (not that I was deadeye dick even before - I need all the help I can get)

Is there a fix for this that doesn't involve me shelling out cash for a new handguard and IF I do buy a new guard, is this likely to happen again? Is the issue with the guard itself or with the mounting (and if it could be either, how do I find out?)

 

[Admin]

Pics of said rifle and where the loose area is?

 

[Bob P]

The whole handguard assembly shifts left to right in the mounting. The mounting doesn't move.

 

[Bob P]

I'll take apart the handguard and post photos of that tonight. Should have done that in the first place but I thought it might be a common issue - i.e. something I stupidly did wrong.

 

[Admin]

Easy solution.

Omega Rail

 

[Pilgrim]

since it fits into a retaining ring on the front and the 'delta' ring on the back, where does it move?

 

[Bob P]

since it fits into a retaining ring on the front and the 'delta' ring on the back, where does it move?

It rotates left to right about 1/4" within the rings.

 

[Pilgrim]

pull the delta ring back, remove the grips and see if the front ring rotates. If it does (It shouldn't as the gas tube goes thru it) then you need to talk to someone else as to what to do about that.

At least it's a start at troubleshooting.

 

[Dench]

try to move the front sight post left to right instead of moving your hand guards, your barrel could be lose. ive had that problem before.

 

[Remsport Mfg]

That is a Stag factory upper and it has a life time warranty. However remove the hand guards and check if the barrel nut has come loose. The barrel nut is designed to hold the hand guards in place so I would suspect the nut may be loose.
Drop by the shop Saturday and I can take a look,
Thanks
John

 

[Bob P]

Popped the guard off and the barrel nut is fine. No movement at all there or in the frong sight/gas block/ring. The play seems to be in the handguard itself and the delta ring rotates slightly before the gas tube stops it.

 

[Moderator]

Did you buy the gun new? If so how long ago. If it's still pretty new call the gun shop you bought it from and they should make it right one way or the other.

 

[Bob P]

That is a Stag factory upper and it has a life time warranty. However remove the hand guards and check if the barrel nut has come loose. The barrel nut is designed to hold the hand guards in place so I would suspect the nut may be loose.
Drop by the shop Saturday and I can take a look,
Thanks
John

John,

WHere is your shop and what time are you there until on Saturday?

 

[LoginName]

Is it the same way if you swap upper and lower handguards?

Two possible areas to look at...

A weak handguard retaining ring spring (slim chance), or more possibly the little nubs inside the handguards that lock them in position into the barell nut are worn or missing.

I know that explanation sucks... gimmie a minute and I'll take a pic of mine and upload it.

 

[Bob P]

Is it the same way if you swap upper and lower handguards?

Two possible areas to look at...

A weak handguard retaining ring spring (slim chance), or more possibly the little nubs inside the handguards that lock them in position into the barell nut are worn or missing.

I know that explanation sucks... gimmie a minute and I'll take a pic of mine and upload it.

No, actually that's a good one as I was thinking one of the nubs looks worn. Does the D ring normally have some rotational movement?

 

[LoginName]

No, actually that's a good one as I was thinking one of the nubs looks worn. Does the D ring normally have some rotational movement?

Maybe just a hair or two, but that's about it.

 

[Bob P]

Maybe just a hair or two, but that's about it.

'kay, then that's the issue. Mine's moving about 1/8"

 

[Remsport Mfg]

566 Holyoke St
Ludlow MA.
413 579 1994