My nice and tight AR15 handguards now have an unsightly gap in the center.

[louielouie]

When I first built my AR15 the handguards were nice and tight i.e. no gaps anywhere the handguards touched.


Now, the handguards fit nice and tight against each other on the ends but in the middle there is a slight gap that runs about 75% of the length of the handguards.

Can you tell me what is wrong. Have I somehow caused the handguards to get warped so that they won't fit tight against each other when installed?

louielouie

 

[ryknoll3]

I've seen this on a lot of AR handguards, both the full size rifle handguards, carbine handguards and the M4 handguards. It's pretty normal.

My guess would be that the spring on the delta ring is pretty strong, and that constant end-on pressure on the handguards warps them a bit, causing them to separate at the middle. I don't know if heat exacerbates the problem, but most handguards aren't perfectly tight the whole way.

 

[louielouie]

I've seen this on a lot of AR handguards, both the full size rifle handguards, carbine handguards and the M4 handguards. It's pretty normal.

My guess would be that the spring on the delta ring is pretty strong, and that constant end-on pressure on the handguards warps them a bit, causing them to separate at the middle. I don't know if heat exacerbates the problem, but most handguards aren't perfectly tight the whole way.

I really wish I could fix it because it really distracts from the "nice lines" on the 20 inch barreled assembly.

louielouie

 

[techres]

Personal solution:

1. Take the rifle to the range.
2. Shoot it from the ground, no shooting mat.
3. Lay rifle in grass, or preferably mud if available.
4. Wipe down with rag and toss it in the trunk for trip home.
5. Clean with CLP and boresnake.
6. Do this every week for 6 months. Variations can include classes with Shay, or ACT, or Appleseeds.
7. By the end of the 6 months you will no longer notice the handguards or "nice lines".

All that will consume you is "nice groups".

Seriously, this will work!

 

[HamsterStyle]

Personal solution:

1. Take the rifle to the range.
2. Shoot it from the ground, no shooting mat.
3. Lay rifle in grass, or preferably mud if available.
4. Wipe down with rag and toss it in the trunk for trip home.
5. Clean with CLP and boresnake.
6. Do this every week for 6 months. Variations can include classes with Shay, or ACT, or Appleseeds.
7. By the end of the 6 months you will no longer notice the handguards or "nice lines".

All that will consume you is "nice groups".

Seriously, this will work!

 

[louielouie]

Personal solution:

1. Take the rifle to the range.
2. Shoot it from the ground, no shooting mat.
3. Lay rifle in grass, or preferably mud if available.
4. Wipe down with rag and toss it in the trunk for trip home.
5. Clean with CLP and boresnake.
6. Do this every week for 6 months. Variations can include classes with Shay, or ACT, or Appleseeds.
7. By the end of the 6 months you will no longer notice the handguards or "nice lines".

All that will consume you is "nice groups".

Seriously, this will work!

Sorry, but I have develped an attitude toward my firearms over my 63 years and that is "they are only as good as you keep them".
I might be able to do what you suggest with a CZ52 that I only paid $99 for, but my AR-15 is the highest priced firearm I own and I just want it to look "sharp".

Just the way I am,

louielouie


p.s. I think the appleseed movement is on target.

 

[00BlasterResto]

Could get something like free float rail. No pesky delta ring pushing on things.

 

[Slow Hand]

I agree with the aping pressure idea. That was the first thing I thought of. I can't offer any help to fix your handguards but you can find slightly used sets pretty cheap. Lots of people put the railed or free float handguards on and try to sell off the original parts to help with the cost. I've got two sets of mid length handguards you could have but they wouldn't do much good.

 

[mvician]

May I ask what brand the handguards are?

 

[223 Gunner]

I've noticed this a lot on 20 inch rock river rifles.

 

[louielouie]

May I ask what brand the handguards are?

They are PSA (Palmetto State Armory) handguards that came with the barreled upper.

louielouie