I have two Garands.  One has a front handguard that rattles.  The other does not.  

It seems on the one that rattles, a very small gap is present between the gas cylinder and the front metal on the handguard, causing the handguard not to be tight.

Do I need to hit my gas cylinder down so I can rotate my gas lock one more time?  This should tighten it up?


Scott

Actually, except for a match rifle with unitzed handguards, you want a bit of looseness in the front handguard.

You want a little gap between the front of the handguard and the gas cylinder.(about the thickness of a business card or two)As the rifle is fired, the barrel heats up and expands so does everything else hanging from/on the barrel. If the handguard is tight between the gas cylinder and the ferrule at the rear of the handguard, the handguard having no room to move, will split, No maybe's here, it's just a matter of time, before it splits. I'd leave the lose one alone, and loosen up the tight one before you split the handguard on it.

The gap is about the thickness of a business card.


Scott

Scott,

Re Front Handguard:   It's loose, it rattles, and it's supposed to be that way.   It was a designed in feature to prevent stringing when the rifle heats up.   Don't try to "fix" it.

Best regards,
Swampy

Garands forever