I've got 12.3'' free float handguard on a 12'' barrel that my can (once approved) will be slightly recessed into. I recently picked up a YHM QD Brake Shield from SS which is the same 1.5'' diameter as the can. Since the barrel is not perfectly centered vertically in the 1.56'' ID of the rail, there is very very slight contact between the brake shield and the rail which I'm sure will transfer to the can as well. Would I be hurting anything if I were to take a file to the ribs inside the can to create just a bit more clearance? Of course I'd have to re finish it with some high heat paint, but I wouldn't weaken the structural integrity in any way, correct? It would be about 1'' in on the bottom 3 ribs of the handguard.

ETA: Just to be clear, the contact was so slight I can not tell exactly when it touches and it does not hinder the tightening of the brake shield at all. I could wipe the rub marks off with my finger until it scratched the cerakote from being put on/taken off a few times.

Rail : Rainier Arms Evo Keymod 12''

Picture with the brake shield on:

When you said file the can, you meant the inside of the hand guard right? If so, then yes, go to town on it.
I would suggest waiting until you have your silencer in hand and verifying you need to actually do this, and by
how much.

It shouldn't hurt anything. I cut one of my seekins rails all up to get it to work the way I wanted. The main support structures(keymod rails) should stay intact if at all possible. If that wont work, just cut it back from the front till it's where it needs to be. Then you would just paint the front. Good luck!

Oops! Yeah, I got it right in the title wrong in the post. I'd never file the can.

I will likely need to do it either way - as it's making contact with the brake shield now. I will shoot suppressed most of the time, however I do want to be able to run it unsuppressed.

Yup, trim away.  You can't do much harm other than aesthetics.

I trimmed a Troy hand guard and after I painted it, it looked like new.  Go ahead and do it.

If it's that close it will hit the hand guard regardless when you shoot.

Dave N

Why don't you loosen the rail, center it, and re-tighten????

Ensure you can access the flats on the yhm mount.

The can will get stuck on there at least once and you will wish you had access to the mount flats.

Have you ever tried using some grease on the mount when it is clean? It might reduce or eliminate the silencer getting locked on.

 

Helped - it's not making contact any more but it's close. I'll probably shave some for peace of mind. Or just shoot and see if it causes any accuracy issues with the can.

I can get it lined up in the tube, but tightening it just pushes it back to where it is now. Still not perfectly centered, but I can deal with it.