BCL stock handguard install question

Sunchild2071

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Location
Glen Park, AB
Looking for methodology here. For the purpose, the inner nut with the flats that actually retains the barrel, I will refer to as the barrel nut (BN). The outer nut, to which the handguard is actually fastened to, I will refer to as the handguard nut (HN).

When I apply my HN to my stripped receiver, to the point where there is contact, it is out of alignment for the handguard, and too tight to the reciver to allow the handguard fasteners to be properly fastened. So looking for how to get the BCL upper together, in a sequence that gets the HN aligned properly to install handguard, as well as have proper torque on the BN. I see this in one of three possible ways. And maybe none are correct.

1) Install HN to upper receiver until contact. Further tighten HN (as like a crush washer) until indexed/aligned to allow handguard install. Install barrel into receiver, then BN. Torque BN to spec. Install handguard. (Problem I see in this method is potential damage to receiver)

2) Install barrel into receiver. Install HN until contact with receiver, back off 1/4 turn. Install BN and torque to spec, while holding HN from rotating. Then tighten HN into proper alignment. Install handguard. (Problem I see here is establishing how much to back off HN for BN install, and adding torque after BN is installed to spec)

3) Install HN until contact with receiver, back off using handguard as a gauge, until properly aligned/indexed. Was thinking to cut up a handguard just to length of HN so as to hold the HN in this position, while then installing the barrel and BN to torque. Then remove the cut up handguard, now to be referred to as an indexing tool, and install the proper handguard. (Problem I see here is the need to sacrifice a handguard, to make an indexing tool)

So can anyone comment, from direct experience, how to install the two nuts, and get proper alignment for the handguard, and proper torque to the BN, simultaneously. How did you do it? So far, I'm leaning to method #3. TIA.
 
Trial and error until you get alignment within the torque range. Snug it up, tighten,back it off until it lines up.
 
Install barrel slip hg nut over barrel and tighten until the gas tube slot aligns on the tightest setting slip bn down barrel and tighten to appropriate torque setting use the gas tube alignment tool to maintain alignment. Then install gas block/tube then hand guard
 
Per your options it is #3, but you don't need to cut up or use the handguard for alignment - you can do it by eye.
If you absolutely need an alignment tool, I'd buy an inexpensive brass drift that you can turn down with the outer diameter to fit the handguard nut semi-circle and the stepped down, inner diameter to fit into the upper receiver gas tube hole.
I usually buy cheap brass drifts from princess auto and chuck them in a drill and turn them down with sandpaper and/or a file to make such tools.
 
Well, princess auto happens to only be a few blocks from work, here.

Thanks for the suggestion, as it seems much better than chopping up one of my extra handguards. And very easy to do.
 
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