Heckler & Koch MR223A3 question

We were talking about the Midwest Handguard a couple of pages ago. I want to share something.

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The first picture you guys see is the handguard installed, bolt torqued to 70 inch pounds and with loctite. The second picture you guys see is the handguard after 81 shots. See that a gap has developed? This is the 3rd time that this has happened to me so I'm pretty sure its not my fault during installation.

So I tested it. I installed it all the way in again, tightened the screw, then smacked the back of the handguard with a rubber mallet. After a few smacks, it moved forward into the position in the 2nd picture again. At this point I smashed it several more times to see if it would actually come off with the screw tightened. It would not move any further. So what this means is that the cross bolt that comes with the midwest handguard and the hole in the midwest handguard are undersized and will allow a small amount of back and forth movement! Although during shooting it only moves forward and does not go back.

From experience, the stock handguard and the Geissele does not have this issue.
I'm not sure if this affects the function or the accuracy. I don't think so but I dont really know. I guess it kinda creates a tiny point of ingress for sand into the upper.
The only fix I can see for this is using the scope mount to attach to both the upper and the handguard, to hold it in place.
 
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I contacted MI. They say to tighten to 10 ft lbs. I was in the process of doing that and the bolt snapped. Yep.....
Contacted MI again asking them to send me another cross bolt, they said nope, cant send to Canada... wtf, can't send a cross bolt to Canada?
So basically no customer service with these guys in Canada.
 
You ditched the slim stock, good move. Thanks for the heads up about the cross bolt. Are these the HK mags? I bought 4 from IRG and they are very hard to seat with 10 rounds.

Wolverine distribute MI, did you asked them?
 
Antoine22 said:
You ditched the slim stock, good move. Thanks for the heads up about the cross bolt. Are these the HK mags? I bought 4 from IRG and they are very hard to seat with 10 rounds.

Wolverine distribute MI, did you asked them?
Click to expand...

I did not know that. I'll reach out and see if they can do anything. Getting a new cross bolt wouldnt fix the issue if its out of spec. I don't have another MR223 to test it on, but I'm thinking its out of spec.
Also my MR308A3-28's handguard cross bolt has "8Nm" labelled on it. Not sure why I was told by MI to tighten this to 10ft lb as thats like 14Nm.

I run lancer and pmags.
 
Tiker said:
I did not know that. I'll reach out and see if they can do anything. Getting a new cross bolt wouldnt fix the issue if its out of spec. I don't have another MR223 to test it on, but I'm thinking its out of spec.
Also my MR308A3-28's handguard cross bolt has "8Nm" labelled on it. Not sure why I was told by MI to tighten this to 10ft lb as thats like 14Nm.

I run lancer and pmags.
Click to expand...

I'm wondering if the barrel nut dimensions are different? I believe that was one of the changes with the A3? maybe MI didn't change there's?
Also, pretty piss poor CS from MI, not sending you a bolt or a couple is BS IMO.

I would send the hand guard back and try and get a refund, and go with the Geissele if that's OK with you.
 
Do you have calipers?

Measure the cross bolt diameter of the stock Pin/Geiselle Pin and the Midwest and compare.

I am not familiar with this platform but can the Geiselle cross bolt or HK be used in conjunction with the Midwest?

Again, I am not familiar with the handguard design but it also seems its not pinching the barrel nut enough if it can shift forward with some light taps/recoil as well as too much clearance between the groove on the barrel nut and crossbolt diameter
 
I sold my stock and Geissele handguards after I got the MI, so cant do a direct comparison.
The thread on the MI is M6x1 and unthreaded portion is 5.9mm. Maybe you guys can measure yours and let me know.

I have recieved spare screws/bolts from aimpoint and nightforce before without any problems. Pretty disappointed about not being able to get one from MI (I didnt demand for a free replacement, I offered to pay for it).
 
Tiker said:
I sold my stock and Geissele handguards after I got the MI, so cant do a direct comparison.
The thread on the MI is M6x1 and unthreaded portion is 5.9mm. Maybe you guys can measure yours and let me know.

I have recieved spare screws/bolts from aimpoint and nightforce before without any problems. Pretty disappointed about not being able to get one from MI (I didnt demand for a free replacement, I offered to pay for it).
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I got 5.98, pretty close to 6.
 
Thanks Mildot.
Picked up a M6x1-40 bolt from homedepot just to have something hold the handguard in place while I source a HK cross bolt.

When you guys get a chance, could someone please measure this area I circled in red? Just incase if my rifle is worn/out of spec.
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Just got a MR223 A3 a few weeks ago. I have a simple question to ask. How can I remove the handguard so I can clean the piston system. The screw is very tight, should I just pick my biggest screwdriver and use brute force to open it? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
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proflui said:
Just got a MR223 A3 a few weeks ago. I have a simple question to ask. How can I remove the handguard so I can clean the piston system. The screw is very tight, should I just pick my biggest screwdriver and use brute force to open it? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Click to expand...

HK manual says to use a 5mm Allen key to turn the screw. Is yours a slot head or hex head bolt?

See page 41 Paragraph 9.2.1.13 of the user manual
Manual is available online from HK here. https://www.heckler-koch.com/en/service/operator-manuals.html
 
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