M305 Upper Handguard Replacement?

SilverBaller

SilverBaller

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The upper handguard of my Norinco M305/M14 is made of a thin cheap plastic that kinda rattles around and was something I'd been living with for some time. It didn't bother me much until recently when I picked up the rifle with one hand and *CRACK!* the upper handguard split and a small hairline fracture is noticeable near the front end.

So now I have a cracked (almost broken) plastic handguard that is rattling around that's more than upsetting to look at and is putting me off wanting to use the rifle. Does anyone know where I can find a replacement that ISN'T complete garbage? Preferably metal of some kind? Thanks in advance.
 
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m14.ca has some nice options, have a look at their scout hand guard SHG or the new long sight plane

http://www.m14.ca/M14_M1A_SCOUT_HAND_GUARD_SHG.html
http://www.m14.ca/M14_M1A_LONG_SIGHT_PLANE_HAND_GUARD_SCOPE_MOUNT.html
SilverBaller said:
The upper handguard of my Norinco M305/M14 is made of a thin cheap plastic that kinda rattles around and was something I'd been living with for some time. It didn't bother me much until recently when I'd picked up the rifle with one hand and *CRACK!* the upper handguard split and a small hairline fracture is noticeable near the front end.

So now I have a cracked (almost broken) plastic handguard that is rattling around that's more than upsetting to look at and is putting me off wanting to use the rifle. Does anyone know where I can find a replacement that ISN'T complete garbage? Preferably metal of some kind? Thanks in advance.
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Are all hand guards made of cheap plastic? mine (norc) feels like its going to snap when i take it off, plus it doesnt sit straight :(
 
Some of the newer norc ones are plasticky hehhe. Most of them are fiberglass tho.

A fiberglass handgaurd is all ya need, USGI or norinco. Should be able to find one for well under 40 bucks delivered in EE or elsewhere.

A tip for you guys with loose handgaurds at front end. Remove stock, turn action up side down and with handgaurd in place, use a punch and small hammer to a "lil harder than gently" tap 2 or 3 times on the gas band plate ears that hold the bottom of handguard. You are just trying to slightly bend them in to hold front of handgaurd snug.

Some would say to anneal these ears/tabs first. On chinese assemblies there is no need to anneal, on SEI or GI assemblies, heat till a low glow is seen and no more. If you are annealing, you can't do it with handgaurd in place or you'll burn it
 
sdizzyday said:
I bought a USGI vented fiberglass and solid one from treelinem14.com. What a great look and feel over the plastic ones.
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I went ahead and ordered a solid! Thanks!

Too bad they sold out of the vented ones :( that would've been well worth the money.

45ACPKING said:
Some of the newer norc ones are plasticky hehhe. Most of them are fiberglass tho.

A fiberglass handgaurd is all ya need, USGI or norinco. Should be able to find one for well under 40 bucks delivered in EE or elsewhere.

A tip for you guys with loose handgaurds at front end. Remove stock, turn action up side down and with handgaurd in place, use a punch and small hammer to a "lil harder than gently" tap 2 or 3 times on the gas band plate ears that hold the bottom of handguard. You are just trying to slightly bend them in to hold front of handgaurd snug.

Some would say to anneal these ears/tabs first. On chinese assemblies there is no need to anneal, on SEI or GI assemblies, heat till a low glow is seen and no more. If you are annealing, you can't do it with handgaurd in place or you'll burn it
Click to expand...

thanks for the tip :) do you have a picture of your gas band plate ears to show what they should look like? Should I bend them in a couple spots or all the way around the lip?
 
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SilverBaller said:
I went ahead and ordered a solid! Thanks!

Too bad they sold out of the vented ones :( that would've been well worth the money.



thanks for the tip :) do you have a picture of your gas band plate ears to show what they should look like? Should I bend them in a couple spots or all the way around the lip?
Click to expand...

I should have posted a pic with my post ,so I'll do that this evenin when I get home. Legal shooting light just ended a few minutes ago and I'm typing this from my treestand :D
You just bend the tabs, nowhere else, but wait till I post the pic, it will esplain all
 
45ACPKING said:
I should have posted a pic with my post ,so I'll do that this evenin when I get home. Legal shooting light just ended a few minutes ago and I'm typing this from my treestand :D
You just bend the tabs, nowhere else, but wait till I post the pic, it will esplain all
Click to expand...

Tagged for interest, mine is a touch on the loose side, and I do enjoy tinkering with my Norc...
 
here ya go guys
now before you tighten the tabs, check to see if you have more handguard gap between the stock on one side over the other.... here is where you can adjust the gap side first, then adjust the other side for final snugness.
this pic is pointing to the tab on one side


this pic is showing where to put the punch.... basically as close to the barrel as possible.


now when you do this, use a smaller hammer, like a finishing hammer weight. make a few firm taps on one side, then other, then check wiggle at handguard nose. repeat as need to bring things snug.

a similar procedure (with annealing) is done to bend those tabs in to clear Krieger heavy profile barrels
hope that helps ya'll
 
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