Trouble installing Magpul MAG427 handguard

[QQgunstuff]

Need some help.
Just bought myself another competition White Oak complete upper, plus a Magpul #MAG427 (FDE) handguard to swap out with the black one furnished with the upper. ThIs handguard is a MOE M-LOK

To get right to it, I can not get the new Magpul handguard on to the barrel.
I spent about two hours messing with it yesterday to no avail. It is supposed to “snap on”.
What am I doing wrong here?

I do have a Delta spring tool to aid in depressing the ring. (yes my hands aren’t the strongest in the world)
I do have a bit of experience at this having taken the factory hand-guards off and on many times on my older rifle AR-15 (A4).
And according to the Magpul customer service rep yesterday, I do have the “correct” gun. That is it has a rifle length gas system, and that it’s an unmodified AR-15 (A4). It’s a 20” barrel with White Oak gas block. One note here, the magpul instructions only show an A2 with front site post.

It appears to me that the muzzle end of the handguard upper half does not seat properly into the triangular cap. So I wind up with the delta ring FULLY compressed and yet still have about 3/16“ to 1/4” of handguard on the outside of the delta ring to go.

Any ideas, suggestions, critiques, laughter, etc.?

Ron

 

[Fast14riot]

Does it have the free float tube under the hand guard? Most clamshell hand guards had to be opened up at the ID of the forward end to seat fully in the forward collar of the free float tube.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

It will most likely have to be trimmed with a razor knife in multiple locations. One location will be in the triangular area like you suspect, one for overall length (lil in the front and back) and around the bigger barrel. Take it slow and be sure about your cuts before you make them

 

[QQgunstuff]

Does it have the free float tube under the hand guard? Most clamshell hand guards had to be opened up at the ID of the forward end to seat fully in the forward collar of the free float tube.

Thanks for the reply.
Excuse the slow response, momma got me Xmas busy!
Yes, it has a float tube ( it is the White Oak Armament competition service rifle upper).
After messing with it an hour or so I saw that it was not going to be a direct drop-in replacement like Magpul’s advertising said. Hence I got out the knives,Dremel tool and other items of destruction. I did carve up the forward ends of both halves and got them to slip into the hand guard cap a bit. But then I’ve never been able to get both halves into the delta ring. I did not carve up the the two halves at the delta ring end. I beat that thing to death. No luck.
So knowing I make mistakes, I bought about another Magpul set, same as first one. I got the same results, but decided not to butcher it up yet. Was waiting to hear from the forum and see if I really have to trim it significantly.

 

[QQgunstuff]

It will most likely have to be trimmed with a razor knife in multiple locations. One location will be in the triangular area like you suspect, one for overall length (lil in the front and back) and around the bigger barrel. Take it slow and be sure about your cuts before you make them

Hey Dusty.
Thanks for your response. So you guys have sold me on doing this upright with knives and dremel.
Sure am disappointed in the manufacturer’s advertising…..

Ron

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

I have had lots of good luck with MAGPUL products. I have bought some White Oak barrels but never a complete upper. I have had both uppers and lowers from other companies that were not really 100% mil-spec, even though some claimed that they were. If I were having the problem you are describing, I would suspect that the upper is not 100% mil-spec before I became disappointed with MAGPUL

 

[Fast14riot]

Hey Dusty.
Thanks for your response. So you guys have sold me on doing this upright with knives and dremel.
Sure am disappointed in the manufacturer’s advertising…..

Ron

Its been a while since I bought my NMA2 upper from WOA, but I seem to remember them having directions on their site to modify a drop in hand guard to fit the free float tube.

 

[QQgunstuff]

I have had lots of good luck with MAGPUL products. I have bought some White Oak barrels but never a complete upper. I have had both uppers and lowers from other companies that were not really 100% mil-spec, even though some claimed that they were. If I were having the problem you are describing, I would suspect that the upper is not 100% mil-spec before I became disappointed with MAGPUL

Oh I agree with your comment. I too have many Magpul products that I’m perfectly happy with. And I did talk directly with MAGPUL and White Oak about this, but they couldn’t offer any solutions. Just a learning point for me.
thanks for the input.

 

[Fast14riot]

This is what I've found on their current site...

Service Rifle Float Tube

Shop White Oak Armament Online Store

www.whiteoakarmament.com

 

[QQgunstuff]

Its been a while since I bought my NMA2 upper from WOA, but I seem to remember them having directions on their site to modify a drop in hand guard to fit the free float tube.

Thanks, I’ll see what I can find.

 

[QQgunstuff]

This is what I've found on their current site...

Service Rifle Float Tube

Shop White Oak Armament Online Store

www.whiteoakarmament.com

excellent, thanks