Free float barrel install has a gap

[Hoyle]

I have a buddy who wants to sell me his free float install tools, but I noticed his free float handguard on his rifle has a gap between the receiver and handguard.

Is there any way to get rid of this gap?

 

[cycle]

no..not entirely. go to tacticool's website and take a look at how to minimize the gap.

 

[shawnr5]

It depends on the handguard you use. I modified the handguard on my 15-22 and have no gap.

 

[bacardigold]

I also have this problem like many others and I have thought of a possible solution in my case but wanted to get some feedback from you guys as to whether I am missing something. My plan would be to remove a small amount of metal (marked in red in the second picture) the same width as the gap and then elongate the holes for the bolts so they still line up with the barrel nut. Does anyone see any potential problems with this. If it does work then hopefully it will help others like the OP.

Adam

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=276915&stc=1&d=1490614853

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=276916&stc=1&d=1490614910

 

[bacardigold]

So nobody has any thoughts on this then? I find that hard to believe!

 

[Bassyaks]

The VISM guards come with a spacer block which locks the barrel nut and locates the rail. There is no gap. Note these are made for the 15-22's
Maybe this is something that KevGuillot would make.

 

[tacticool22]

I also have this problem like many others and I have thought of a possible solution in my case but wanted to get some feedback from you guys as to whether I am missing something. My plan would be to remove a small amount of metal (marked in red in the second picture) the same width as the gap and then elongate the holes for the bolts so they still line up with the barrel nut. Does anyone see any potential problems with this. If it does work then hopefully it will help others like the OP.

Adam

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=276915&stc=1&d=1490614853

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=276916&stc=1&d=1490614910

That should work perfectly. And add the anti-rotation feature to boot.

 

[bacardigold]

That should work perfectly. And add the anti-rotation feature to boot.

I did end up doing what I suggested and it worked out pretty well. Just need to touch up the paint around the screw holes.


http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=283250&stc=1&d=1494445807

 

[Rob1]

Good looking gat you have there Adam.

Where did you pick up the swap out HG?

Rob

 

[bacardigold]

Good looking gat you have there Adam.

Where did you pick up the swap out HG?

Rob

Gat??

I got the hand guard from a mate who I shoot with. He's an RFD and gets all sorts of things. Its a 15" one but he does them in other sizes too.

Adam

 

[Rob1]

Gat??

I got the hand guard from a mate who I shoot with. He's an RFD and gets all sorts of things. Its a 15" one but he does them in other sizes too.

Adam

Cheers for that, might need to chat and see what else he may have available.

Gat = Rifle, Gun, Bondook, Boom stick or any other nick name you may have for a rifle. Gat is an old term from yesteryear.

 

[bacardigold]

Cheers for that, might need to chat and see what else he may have available.

Gat = Rifle, Gun, Bondook, Boom stick or any other nick name you may have for a rifle. Gat is an old term from yesteryear.

Ah ok that makes sense now.
Yeah let me know and I'll ask him. He is also the same guy who's waiting on the spares from S&W. Apparently they are sat at customs at the moment.

Adam

 

[Rob1]

UK customs,,,

What a nightmare.

Rob.

 

[Robert209]

Tactical22 sells a modified but that solves the gap problem if you want the gap you get the standard nut, there also a vid on YouTube that talks about the install and gap issue

 

[Rob1]

Well, I have finally gone and done it......

After swapping out my HG and NOT liking the feel/fit of it as much as I had hoped AND not liking the gap at the receiver end, I decided that I would do what I had been putting off and purchase what I really wanted, which I should have just done in the first place I guess.

So, after some deliberation I have just placed my order for a Troy Alpha HG in FDE, not a cheap option through Ripoffnells UK but the only realistic option left, as pretty much every avenue open to us this side of the water has now been exhausted.

Except the cheap Chinese knockoffs which I did NOT want to get into at this stage of the game, I have not cheaped out on anything else for this project so far, so saw no point in doing so now..

I looked at the new ODIN as well as a couple of Midwest Industries but still went back to the Troy.

I should think I may well have some nice pics of the Smiths latest and likely last change of clothes in a couple of weeks or so.

I have just picked up an amazing deal on a 300 Blackout but that's a whole different story, as well as money pit now as I start to look for optics and reloading supplies for that...

Man I hope my wife never looks at my accounts...

will post a pic or 2 once it arrives and is fitted..

soon to be single.... lol

Rob