I've just gotten a pair of colt m4 Handguards and they have significat rotational play.
even more than the buttstock. Is that normal and what are your tricks to make them stay in place?

It is normal to have some play, but not a lot.

There are some tricks for this, and involve placing material between the delta ring and handguard parts.

I do not recall the specific "trick" so I will not speculate- someone should be along shortly to help with that

I am curious about the "even more than the buttstock" reference...

how much play does that (stationary) part have?

Quoted: how much play does that (stationary) part have?

I'd say ca. 3mm= .12" rotational play

Alot of the play comes from the freeplay in the handguard cap on the barrel and gas tube as well. Finding a way to stabilize it would help alot. Some Hi-Power rifle competitors also glass bed the gap between the upper and lower handguards. None of the fixes will be easy ones.

                             Dr.

Easy to fix.

Take some 100 MPH tape or duct tape and cut the pieces to fit the 4 "Lugs" on the front of the HGs.
When layered properly, it will eliminate either up/down or rotational play where the "lugs" sit in the handguard cap.

Layer about four layers(give or take) on each lug and insert/remove the handguards/add layers of tape till the handguards are nice and snug. Works like a charm and barrel heat doesn't effect the tape-just blackens it a little.

This securing method has held up to thousands of rounds on My ARs(when they wore plain HGs)
and never budged 'till the tape was removed.

Edited to add: This also works on the Knight's RAS/RIS. and similar 2 piece non-freefloat rail systems.

As for the buttstock, a member (sorry I can't recall who) used an inch of velcro with an adhesive back. He used the "furry" part.

Remove the stock, adhere velco strip on top end of the tube (horizontally), then try to put the stock back on. If it wont fit right away or is too tight for your taste, then just trim the fuzz a little at a time until you achieve a snug fit!

Worked for me!

Quoted: As for the buttstock, a member (sorry I can't recall who) used an inch of velcro with an adhesive back. He used the "furry" part. Remove the stock, adhere velco strip on top end of the tube (horizontally), then try to put the stock back on. If it wont fit right away or is too tight for your taste, then just trim the fuzz a little at a time until you achieve a snug fit! Worked for me!

thats pretty clever, spy and worth a try

a-newbie, I have to confess that I was thinking (or wasn't thinking).   A2 stocks when you mentioned some play in the stock.

don't know why, but thats happening more and more lately (my wandering mind)

traditional M4 style stocks do inherently have a bit of play, and some more than others. It bothers me especially on a $1,000 rig or heaven for bid a $3,000 shooter

I have gone to the LMT/SOPMOD, or Crane style in mine and do not have that issue any longer. Bu thats a $200 fix and not for everyone


I think - like spy says- adding material of some type in between the stock and buffer tube is OK, as long as it isn't over-done.  

Quoted: Quoted: As for the buttstock, a member (sorry I can't recall who) used an inch of velcro with an adhesive back. He used the "furry" part. Remove the stock, adhere velco strip on top end of the tube (horizontally), then try to put the stock back on. If it wont fit right away or is too tight for your taste, then just trim the fuzz a little at a time until you achieve a snug fit! Worked for me! hr thats pretty clever, spy and worth a try a-newbie, I have to confess that I was thinking (or wasn't thinking).hinking.gif   A2 stocks when you mentioned some play in the stock. don't know why, but thats happening more and more lately (my wandering mind) traditional M4 style stocks do inherently have a bit of play, and some more than others. It bothers me especially on a $1,000 rig or heaven for bid a $3,000 shooter I have gone to the LMT/SOPMOD, or Crane style in mine and do not have that issue any longer. Bu thats a $200 fix and not for everyone I think - like spy says- adding material of some type in between the stock and buffer tube is OK, as long as it isn't over-done.

Thanks Redfisher, but I can't take credit for that idea. I just picked it up too from one of the older members of the board.  had
Yeah, I wish those brands were available here in the PI. Usually we just get the generic 6 pos stocks. I sure would like to try the LMT or a Vltor.

A better fix is taking the stock body off the tube, wrapping it in a towel, heating it through the hole with a hair dryer or heat gun and compressing it a bit in a vise. It solves the problem quickly and permanently and you wont have any velcro or electrical tape to peel off or melt. I got that fix here from Iceman and have used it on three now very nice and snug M4 stocks.