Band spring problem

[padre]

Can't get the band down enough to engage the band spring.
Handguard comes loose after a couple of rounds.
What's are the fixes??

Information

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[Harlan (Deceased)]

I know this is a long shot, but look inside the front of your stock carefully to see if you can see any repair. I had one like that which drove me crazy until I noticed it -

The wood inside where the band spring post had given way and someone repaired it so the band spring set back just slightly.

Also look for a repair on the hand guard rear flange. Does the rear of the hand guard go in all of the way? Not probable but check inside where the flange goes in for obstruction to keep it from seating all the way in.

[frankderrico]

padre, looks like you're almost there. Did you try and give it a tap?.....Frank

[DaveHH]

Take a small file and take some metal off of the spring tip on the side that bears against the band. Do this until the spring tip pops all the way out to grip the band. Very common problem.

[Bubba-7]

I have also taken a shave of wood off the end of the handguard. I am talking one shave or two half shaves. Do not cut to the edge but into the handguard. Bottom of the band looks to contact bottom of stock. Top edge of stock is futher away, like the handguard is a hair long. Common problem.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

From the photo it looks as if it's canted like it's binding. Wouldn't filing it to fit be a workaround?

I only had the problem with one out of ten but might have been lucky. I had one that had a type I band that used to slip off because the tip of the band spring was worn down and a new spring took care of it.

[Hercules Powder]

It looks like the band is all but locking into the band. The first thing I would try: loosen the recoil plate screw enough that it still snug but not real tight. Lay a piece of carpet on a concrete floor. Then with one hand around the stock and handguard and the other on the barrel band pushing down strike the buttplate on the carpet. You may have to try it a couple times to get to catch. Then retighten the recoil plate screw.

That will usually prevent the handguard from being too loose.

John

[INLAND44]

'Wouldn't filing it to fit be a workaround?'

No, it would be fitting. Looks to me like he has to trim the front lip of the handguard so the band can get square to the stock, which should be just enough movement to let the spring catch engage, as Bubba-7 said. He also might need to adjust the metal tab on the rear of the handguard for more positive engagement. To test for this, just loosen the band clamp and see if the rear of the handguard can move up and down. Now take the handguard off and see if the retainer tab is loose. Tighten it up with the rivets and check for play again. Now carefully bend up the edge of the tab so it keeps the handguard flat to the stock - do this carefully to avoid ruining the tab. The original armorers must have had special tools for this without sharp edges. Once you get this set and the band fitting right, there will be little to no movement of the handguard when the carbine is assembled and it won't come loose during firing. The purpose of the Type II wide band was to keep the carbine from flying apart - somewhat disconcerting during combat.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

You must be correct. Filing the band spring and reducing the surface area is 'fitting' it.

[INLAND44]

I was talking about filing the front lip of the handguard - is that a 'workaround' (whatever that is) to you too? And, if you had to file just behind the head of the band spring to make it work, how is that 'reducing the surface area'?