Handguard fitment question. Noticed something a bit off.

[HDSledge]

This has been in a repro stock for a while and I decided to put it back in the original to show a friend. I didn't notice it before but the barrel band spring side of the handguard is off a bit. The stock has a bit of a bulge around the spring cutout area. The left side lines up perfectly . The nose gap looks a tiny bit off center. I assume they made handguards in separate batches. Is this common?

Information

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[Bruce McAskill]

Most hand guards are not original to a certain rifle. Over the decades many were changed for different reasons mostly through rebuilds. Sometimes the springs were changed and quite often on early rifles with type 1 bands as they would not hold the band tight so it was changed to the later type band. That could cause the distortion. The hand guards and springs were not made to any critical dimensions.

[INLAND44]

Your hand guard has been heavily sanded and the area in question has been sanded, possibly to remove a defect. I would want a fresher hand guard to go with that stock.

[browningautorifle]

As stated they all weren't perfect. I don't see it as such a big thing, I've seen worse fits...

[CINDERS]

Any military rifle was designed to A) eliminate the enemy to keep its owner alive B) be robust, reliable & functional anything else is superfluous.
At the time of manufacture it was not considered that 70+ years on collect-ability be a high priority and providing the major components fitted and functioned as designed then that was good enough for the US Govt or the MoD.

[HDSledge]

Your hand guard has been heavily sanded and the area in question has been sanded, possibly to remove a defect. I would want a fresher hand guard to go with that stock.

I would have to find an OI stamped one in really good shape. I'm ok with it for now but if I start thinking about it I may have to start looking.

Most hand guards are not original to a certain rifle. Over the decades many were changed for different reasons mostly through rebuilds. Sometimes the springs were changed and quite often on early rifles with type 1 bands as they would not hold the band tight so it was changed to the later type band. That could cause the distortion. The hand guards and springs were not made to any critical dimensions.

One side of the handguard is a bit flatter, but looks mostly like the other side where it meets the stock. It may have been sanded or someone may have been in a rush making it. In the pic it sure looks like the stock is fatter on the spring side than the other side.

I guess it doesn't hurt the value or collectability. I hope.

[HDSledge]

As stated they all weren't perfect. I don't see it as such a big thing, I've seen worse fits...

Any military rifle was designed to A) eliminate the enemy to keep its owner alive B) be robust, reliable & functional anything else is superfluous.
At the time of manufacture it was not considered that 70+ years on collect-ability be a high priority and providing the major components fitted and functioned as designed then that was good enough for the US Govt or the MoD.

Thanks guys. Glad to hear it's no big deal.

Now on to the never ending search for another one. May be a long wait.

[m1a1fan]

A handguard does not a paratrooper make.

[HDSledge]

A handguard does not a paratrooper make.

That really puts it into proper perspective. <0

[USGI]

You may find one that fits better, but the finish may not match. I sold a very nice one last year for $40, and it was one I really should have kept. I did find another on eBay (after lots of looking) for about the same price. I would keep the handguard you have, since it likely is the one that came on it. Workers on the assembly lines sanded these pieces until they were close to specs and looked acceptable - I think Charlie "Painter" posted some pictures once of stocks being sanded and inspected by women workers just before being dipped in oil. - Bob