Garand loose handguard

[richbug]

Recieved my cmp danish garand about a month ago. The front handguard is loose, moves front to back about 3/16". Would It be OK to make a shim to go between the gas cylinder and the handguard to prevent the movement? It is so loose it rattles. Rifle shoots good a bout 2" at 100, just want to make it better and keep it as recieved.

thanks rich

[Swede]

I wouldn't. I would build up the ends of the hand guard instead. Some people also drill the end caps (not sure of the proper name) and screw the two together. The only bad thing about this is you can't pick the rifle up by the guard anymore.

[richbug]

Thanks, I appreciate the advise. Will try to build it up then.

rich

[a308garand]

Please do not build up the front handguard with shims, glue or anything else. The heat from firing will cause the gas cylinder to bind against the front handugard, cracking it.
It is made to have some play. I would leave it as is.

Match built rifles have the front handguard screwed to the rear handgard area, leaving a bit of a gap between the rear of the gas cylinder and the wood.
HTH

[Bill]

Exactly. If you want the front handguard to be tight, and you aren't worried about the wood (it isn't historically important wood), just use some epoxy to glue the front handguard to the lower band. It will work loose eventually, but it will serve its purpose in the mean time. Don't over do it, just a dab to keep the wood tacked back into the lower band. The lower band is the metal that is around the barrel, that holds the back of the front handguard and the front of the rear handguard (grin).