AR15 handguard installation

[Beav]

Ok I finally got the barrel nut off and now I've installed the free float handguard.

The thing that's bothering me is that I couldn't tighten it enough to get the next hole for the gas tube to align. So I've actually had to untighten it enough to get alignment. It's on somewhat tight but not as tight as I'd like. I don't want to be at the range and have it come loose. I do have some of that non-permanent loc-tite but I'm leary of using it considering the pain I had getting the original barrel nut off. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[jungle]

Use a moly grease and try again. 35 ftlbs is minimum specified torque, going over that to align the barrel nut is ok. It is rare to see one come loose at the minimum, but most end up tighter due to the spacing of the teeth on the nut.

 

[DnPRK]

If the torque to tighten the barrel nut to the next notch is excessive (yes you can destroy an upper by over torquing). Lay a piece of 240 grit sandpaper on a piece of flat glass and gently rub the face of the upper receiver on it in a circular motion. The idea is to remove a few thousandths of material while keeping the face square to the center of the bore.

 

[nvshooter]

Good idea to remove a few red hairs of excess thread length via the sandpaper method. A loose barrel shoots like Clintoon tells the truth.

 

[Onmilo]

I have done several, actually more than several, free float handguards.
From what you said in your post you are using a tube style handguard and not one of the Military handguard free float set ups.

You need to unscrew the tube and reinstall it.
I agree with brushing the threads with some Moly grease.
I'm cheap, I brush on some Outers gun grease.
You probably aren't that far off from aligning a hole with the gas tube port.
Just install it until you get to where you were before, clench up on the strap wrench and really bear down.
You will get it to align if you use enough grunt.
A good secure vise, a top quality FABRIC, not rubber,strap wrench, and an action block really help with tube installations and free floaters aren't like conventional barrel nuts, the tube will be right up against the front of the receiver if you have screwed it down correctly.
There will be no gap on 99% of the free float tubes made.

I don't use the torque wrench when installing a free float tube, just keep grunting until it aligns.
It will.