I'm just finishing up sanding an Ironwood laminate stock set for my SLR-95 and I'm checking the fit before applying the final finish. After removing the the plastic upper handguard and fitting the new wooden one, I noticed the new one was loose. Is there some kind of metal piece I need for a wooden upper HG to make it fit tight?  

I did not remove any material from the hand guard and front to back fit seems snug.  It will move up and down however, as if it needs some kind of spacer.  

Please forgive my ignorance of AK wood furniture, but all my others are plastic.

Mine did the same thing. I cut a piece of paracord to take up the space. Fits great now, it was a pain in the ass to get between the handgaurd and the gas tube, though.

Mike