Top Handguard Question

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Gents a very good evening to you all....apologies if this has been covered to death but is there a recommended way of tightening up a loose top handguard and taking out the "wiggle".

Is it a wood shrinkage problem..or a barrel band problem or ?

My early Winchester seems to suffer the most

Regards

Lloyd

Information

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[jimb16]

It is neither wood shrinkage nor a barrel band problem. Sloppiness in the handguard fit is extremely common. If you want to tighten it up, use a pair of pliers and carefully bend up the corners of the retainer plate at the back of the handguard. Do it a little at a time till you get it snug. That should eliminate the "rattle".

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Thanks Jim..i guessed it was something that simple...either that or file a little off of the loop of the sling swivel so as the barrel band tightened a little tighter.

I do appreciate the advice...thank you sir

regards

Lloyd

[INLAND44]

Sometimes it will still be loose, so you may have to look into band fit in general and band/hand guard interface in particular. It is not unheard-of to have to build up the front lip of the hand guard with brown bedding compound (or most any epoxy) to get a good retention. Sometimes the nose of the carbine stock under the band is compressed and has to be steamed so the band will properly tighten. Sometimes the band-retaining lock spring needs to be modified or replaced to get the correct fit. I could (and have in the past) write a page or more on fitting the hand guard and barrel band - it's usually not correct on carbines I see around. Then you have the correct fitting for the action to the stock, another long subject.