So i just got my new Armalite M15A4 and the stock and handguards both wobble quite a bit, i was just wondering if anyone else had similar issues and what i could do to fix it? thanks.
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So i just got my new Armalite M15A4 and the stock and handguards both wobble quite a bit, i was just wondering if anyone else had similar issues and what i could do to fix it? thanks.
Swap out the stock with a Magpul CTR stock, and change the handguards to some kind of free float rail system.
so theres nothing i can do about the handguards without replacing them eh,
Your ArmaLite is a midlength and should have triangular handguard end caps which tend to allow more slop than the round endcaps. I suppose a MOE handguard would fit and tighten things up a lot. I have a MOE on a DD middy with round end caps and it's really tight. I haven't tried them on my ArmaLite but am tempted.
As far as the buttstock, you can put a couple 4" strips of electrical tape (or more) inside the stock (not on the buffer tube) and really tighten up an M4 slider.
black electrical tape is the shiznit for tightening up AR furniture.
ya on further inspection it appears that the end cap itself is loose, dumb question perhaps but could i put a drop of solder on it to make it stick to the front sight and not wobble? guess ill hit CT tomorrow and pick up some electrical tape, thanks guys
btw just for a data point clear hockey tape works just as well as electrical tape :D thanks for the pointers guys
I doubt soldering the end cap would be strong enough or would stand up to much use. Glad to hear the tape helped, just don't soak that area in oil and solvent. I've had no problem with quality electrical tape coming up but if it does you can get it all bunched up and wedged.
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I have wrapped teflon tape (thread sealing tape for pipe fittings) around the splines on the barrel nut to tighten the HG. Just wrap a few layers, try it, wrap more until it is snug. Worked good and is easy to take off, just use a dental pick and pull it off.
Only...its not a tactical color...white or pink. But you can't see it under the HG :)
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I've used aluminum speed tape to tighten up a loose collapsible stock.
- Remove the stock from the receiver extension.
- Degrease receiver extension.
- Cut strip of aluminum tape to fit.
- Place tape in position on top of receiver extension.
- Rub down tape to ensure proper adhesion.
- Install stock to fit check.
- Repeat if necessary until desired fit is achieved.
ive shimmed the handguards with some elastic bands i dont think the fit to the cap is the issue i think its the actual cap it self i might have to go buy some tactical teflon tape and some aluminum tape thanks again
Thanks for the tip on aluminum speed tape, Quib.
Interesting... how many times are ya gonna see Quib, Quiet-Matt and Quentin all responding in the same thread! :p
ok another potentially dumb question but as for a degreaser what would you recommend? would rubbing alcohol work to get rid of any oil on the buffer tube?
And, for my next trick.... A split drinking straw:thank_you2: I cut it the same length as the channel so it wont move around when I retract/extend the stock. I keep it one position forward of the picture so it's not visible. Snug, no wobble, but not too tight. Try a few things as shims, you'll be surprised what might work. The hole was from an allen set screw that I used for a long time. It locked up tight as hell, but it essentially made it a semi fixed stock.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_5...0/DSC01818.JPG
nice trick with the straw, some black RTV gasket sealer can fill gaps/stop movement but you can still pull the forearm off, also makes a nice light thread lock
As someone who has had a few Armalite rifles/uppers I can tell you the best,and only,fix is to replace the OEM HG's they furnish on the weapon.If you tighten the HG's up by shimming,it will just put more pressure on the flimsy handguards and they will start to spread apart.Shortly after that the heat shields will continue to come loose and rattle when handled roughly.
Best option IMHO is Magpul Moe HG's and a CTR stock.That will solve the issues with the floppy furniture and is much more durable.
im going to try to shim it with some Teflon tape tomorrow ,this rifle wont get handled too roughly, can only use it on the range anyways, hopefully pick up some MOE hand guards later in the year... Thanks for all the replies guys.... dumb question perhaps but the MOE hand guards will work with the triangular endcap?
thanks again guys!
No, not dumb at all because I've never seen that answered anywhere. But reading Blankwaffe's post above yours it sounds like he has done it.
I know standard handguards made for triangular end caps don't fit great on round ones. Magpul probably figured out a way to do it though.
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Magpul states that the MOE will work with rounds or triangles.
When I did the teflon, I just wrapped it up a few layers over the star of the barrel nut. Had to do it several times to get it tight. Had to wiggle the HG to work it into the teflon and get it snug.
Let us know how it works out.
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Thanks, ucrt. I checked their site again and this time under the Specs tab at this link http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG418/122 I found:
"Easy to install utilizing existing round or triangular front hand guard retaining cap and delta ring"
well i didnt have time to make it to CT and get teflon tape (midterms are killer) but i did take an elastic band and wrap it around the barrel nut and put the hand guards back on, then cut the elastic so it wasn't on the gas tube, fingers crossed it doesnt catch fire :D. Also thanks to Quiet-Matt the straw idea worked great!! Its as solid as its gonna get until i can afford to get some MOE furniture.. thanks again guys for all the help!
my mid length moe hand guard is a little wobbly only from left to right when moving the vertical grip. I couldnt see anywhere to shim
elastic band... its only a range gun its not seeing any super high volumes of fire... plus i cut the elastic it so its not directly on the gas tube and its like minus 15 here so not too worried about it catching fire... by the time summer rolls around it will be sporting some MOE's so hopefully no need for a rubber band bye then
finally shelled out some bucks and ordered a magpul CTR, was told the friction lock would take care of any wobble.
Thanks for the advice guys
Yeah the CTR will lock on super tight. I got one last month and love it.
well a rather crappy development i got my CTR in the mail today and hmm it wont fit on my buffer tube... i took a mic to it and lo and behold its a commercial one not a milspec one... wonderful