Indexed Barrel?

[Lowestform]

I bought a M305 18.5". Before I get jumped on for it, I didn't do the research needed, and possibly should've bought a Master 22". However, this rifle has significant sentimental value and I can't get rid of it.

I've done a full tear down of the firearm as per Tonyben3 awesome videos. The op rod lines up perfectly, it passes a tilt test, the gas ports line up perfectly by dropping an allen key through it.

The only issue really bothering me is that the front flash hider is off by quite a bit to one side, and the whole flash hider is angled off quite a bit. When I remove the flash hider the slot/keyway cut into the barrel looks to be centered and true to the center of the barrel and where it meets the receiver. This is pretty hard to measure accurately, but my eyeball seems that it's not out anywhere near as much as the when the flash hider is mounted.

Are there some wonky flash hiders out there? Should I be very worried about this? The front sight blade is actually removed as I have a CASM mount and a vortex scope on it. I'm even considering just removing the flash hider altogether.

Opinions?

 

[84fuegoturbo]

My Nork flashider was horrible, bought a USGI and front sight what a difference.
Might want to invest in a rear sight as well as the factory doesnt hold its position.

 

[chalkriver]

Yes quite a few wonky flashiders out there......Sounds like your barrel indexing is out and a new front flashider is in order.
The best way to check for proper barrel indexing is to use alignment bars / straight edges and look from the end of the rifle.
You will need to use a flashider that is milled straight though on the front sight base .
If it is out of alignment a barrel vice is used and the receiver is turned into alignment.





In this pic my rifle was under indexed so we tightened the receiver onto the barrel until the indicators line up perfectly ( not installed in the pic)
Pic is from one of Tactical teachers clinics. This one was in Barrie a few years ago and my first of many .......get to one of these if you can !

 

[Dake21]

My barrel is overindexed and the norc flash hider was machined at an angle and same for the sight. They were both going to the right compensating for the overindexed barrel.

 

[Lowestform]

Is the over indexed barrel a large concern if the headspace is in check? It would be over tightened at this point.

As I said, the front sight, possibly even the entire flash hider, will be removed as I have a scope on it. I also have a dlask adjustable gas lock which has a dovetail for a sight on it as well.

 

[notsorichguy]

I keep one "verified" NM flash hider on the bench.

That way when I'm using the alignment blocks, I have a known "square" surface to attach my block and then my angle finder.

The badger blocks are a life/time saver!

I used to use the same flashider with 2 parallel bars. One bar on the FH sight dovetail, the other bar was actually a piece of round stock that was a snug fit for the rear sight ears.

After getting the badger blocks, I tested my "Mark 1 Calibrated Eye" and as it turns out I was 2 degrees out....

Cheers!