I'm building my first AR, so tonight I was putting on the hanguards to see how they look.  (Pretty sweet!)  I couldn't quite get them to snap together just right, so I gave them a little twist.  Pop. http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_sad.gif That piece that's right behind the front sight that holds the front portion of the hanguards in place(don't know the correct name) now spins freely around the barrel.  Was that part welded to the front sight block?  Any suggestions on how to go about fixing this properly?  If I have to have it welded could you explain the best way to do it?

Thanks,  Matt

The part you are referring to is the front handguard retainer. You do have the gas tube correctly installed through the hole in the retainer, correct?

If you do, it would be impossible for the retainer to spin.

The front handguard retainer is not welded to the barrel. It is "sandwiched" between the front sight base and the shoulder on the barrel.

When you install the gas tube in the front sight base, the tube will hold it in place.  Don't worry about it.

Yea,  I figured the gas tube would hold it in place, but I thought that might be a problem if the gas tube is always under a shearing force due to any twisting of the hanguards in use.  But if you guys say I'm good to go, I'll leave it alone.

Thanks for the help,

Matt

So, what ya building?

M4gery flattop, Aimpoint, ACE Socom stock, no rails.  I'll post a pic when I'm done.  I've never even fired or handled an AR before so I've relied heavily on the Arfcom throughout.  Can't wait till the 14th to get her finished and try her out!  WOOHOO!