Midwest Gen 2 SS, my fault?

I recently purchased a Midwest Gen 2 SS and installed it on my AR. The condition of the handguard now is that the teeth on the handguard that engage with the barrel nut are now bent in an upward position.

Now, before you read any more, in my defense... I was a little too excited when it arrived and I think I did some pretty stupid things that resulted in it being damaged like this, so please, resist and insulting comments because I'm beating myself up enough, thanks.

I first realized that my gasblock choice was an issue, it was a VLTOR clamp on gas block, well, the screws on that gas block ended up touching the handguard on the bottom. So, I filed out room for the screws. I wanted to test the heat transfer of the gas block to see if it would make the handguard hot. I went outside and hammered 30 rounds through it as fast as I could. The handguard was not tightened down properly when I did this. I believe I was working too fast and didn't think about it much. After I got done shooting, I noticed that now the gas block was touching the handguard again when before I started shooting, there was some clearance. I came to the conclusion today that if the handguard kicked up in the front, that it could have kicked downward in the back; putting upward pressure on these aluminum teeth, if you follow me. I also took it on and off several times to work on it and test the fit while working on filing room for the gas block. Each time torquing the screws to the recommended 35 inch pounds. Which, felt like a LOT of torque. Several times when my hands were sweaty, I needed two hands on my torque wrench just to do it, a buddy of mine personally believes that if it feels like too much torque, it probably is. I also think it should be known that at no point did I use the recommended Retaining Glue they send with it, because I knew I was going to take it on and off to figure out my gas block situation. Which they tell to apply the Retaining Glue and let cure for 12 hours.

Guys, I know this is a lot but, do all these things sound like it would have been what caused the damage I've experienced?

Again, I just want to figure this out, go easy please, haha.

Much appreciated.

That is correct Sam on the screws touching the handguard. It didn't take long to get it filed out "Correctly", the only time it was touching was in the very beginning when I put it on my rifle for kicks, I don't remember if I did 35 inch lbs in the beginning though. It also was touching, like I said, when I fired it. I am going to use the A2 front sight that will be chopped like you recommended on my other thread, and I know that will fit. And I know that my wrench was on 35 inch lbs. But, I will say it was a Wheeler FAT wrench, not the best but it did the job for my LaRue mount. If anyone else has installed these, let me know how you did it successfully. I am planning on buying a new handguard already. Also, in terms of grinding down the rail in the back. A buddy and I did that and used calipers to make sure it was even all around. I did this so that the rail could be pushed back ever so slightly more and the teeth would be fully seated and the handguard would be fully seated on the barrel nut. I was only about .03", but it was visible.

The most important thing is that I find out what went wrong. I'd rather fix myself than discover that Midwest made a poor product.

Thank you Russ, your comment was noted.

Well guys, Midwest got back with me and they said the tabs can bend if it is torqued to 35 inch lbs multiple times. But, their function is purely to help align the gas tube and top rail, so they don't serve much function.