How to properly install and align railed handguards on the M14

[suprathepeg]

are you sure its seated properly on the barrel? Can you throw up some pics?

 

[Boomer686]

Yep. Checked it again this evening. It is mounted correctly, seated fully and the bolts are torqued equally.

Regards,

 

[M14Doctor]

Elongating the hole has been a pretty standard practice for installing these. I have zero troubles getting the level chamber to muzzle, but the right to left just not quite there. Elongate the hole and I also recommend replacing the UTG bolt with an unmodified ARMS 18 side bolt.(Order from arms)

 

[suprathepeg]

Before you mess with the hole can you entertain me for a sec with a couple pics. It would be pretty hard to get it level with the bottom of the receiver if the rail is canted so I'd just like to see what it looks like.

This is how I mounted mine to get it to sit right and found the gap at the front.

1. Install side bolt not torqued but finger tight. This should ensure that the rail is square with the receiver.

2. Install the rear barrel mount and get it tight but not torqued.

3. Check for square and parallel to the receiver, move the rail around till its thus.

4. Check the front barrel mount and see if you have any space. If there is space then shim it.

5. Install front mount.

Steps 1 and 2 can be interchanged just remember not to torque everything down till its all in place where it should be.

 

[berger]

well..... i dunno what to say.
I've installed the UTG today and the Ultimak M8 , both to 2009 vintage bell lifestyles Poly techs...... and they are both level, muzzle to chamber and parrallel to the receiver plane/bore center. I also checked and triple checked to make sure i wasn't missing something. I did have to slightly enlarge the UTG side hole to accomodate the ARMS 18 side screw i replace the UTG screw with in order to get the side to side level on the UTG.

I just received my UTG mount and installed it tonight (CanAm shorty). I think the barrel is slightly out of index, as it will not align when the rear bolt is in place. I don't plan on using the stripper clip portion of the UTG mount, so is opening the rear hole in the UTG mount with a dremel acceptable?