.Scarecrow.
Member
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.
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.