Can I Shorten my AR Handguard?

[WildBills-AR]

Cutting the handguard or using spacers is NOT the way to go. Seek other options or help.

 

[BDA.45]

I hacked the handguard on my 10.5" 300 blk. Twice! Once when converting it over from a longer 5.56 barrel, and then again for the same reason as you.

Whole gun got rattle canned so wasn't worried about the exposed metal.

Might want to look into something called "aluminum black"

Please do not fire again with a crush washer. That is a recipe to kill your can do to misalignment.

THIS!!! DO NOT shoot it with a crush washer! @Taco_lean is correct, lots of potential for things to go very bad for your can

 

[ZigZagZeke]

If the suppressor seats on the crown of the barrel a spacer of any kind would be a big mistake. Either cut or replace the hand guard to provide proper clearance. There are products available to refinish the raw end of the hand guard as others have mentioned.

 

[kmk1012]

I'm leaning towards just replacing the barrel. I really like the hand guard and don't want to have a baffle strike from misalignment due to washers or something.

 

[Doug Hartley]

Another option would be to buy a handguard with a larger ID so it would fit over the suppressor.

 

[jbett98]

You can't recess the suppressor to far into the hand guard, as you won't be able to press the release lever.

 

[kmk1012]

You can't recess the suppressor to far into the hand guard, as you won't be able to press the release lever.

This

 

[jbett98]

Which can did you buy?

 

[kmk1012]

AAC 7.62sd. I'm waiting on an Aviator II for my 22lr stuff.

 

[jbett98]

I've got the same one on my SBR 10.5" .300 Blackout.
I did some reading and found that a standard flash hider like your picture shows will contribute to accelerated erosion to the first baffle and by switching over to a brake cuts down the erosion issues by shunting a portion of the hot gasses sideways, instead of straight into the baffles.
Another tip is to hold down the release latch when attaching the can, because of accelerated wear to the ratchet pall, which can then lead to it not gripping as tight when snugged up.

 

[cong1920]

I heard about barrel extension which is for this kind of problem but never had chance to give a try yet. So for 300BLK barrel it is 5/8 x 24?

5/8"-24 TPI to 5/8"-24 TPI -Barrel EXTENSION,Threaded Adapter .7 (3/4") Length - SKU#055 - Hughes Precision LLC

barrel extension fits 5/8"-24 threaded barrels, it extends the barrel length by .7" (just under 3/4") to get that extra length you need for suppressors and devises to clear the hand guard.

hughesprecision.com

or

1-1/2" Length Barrel EXTENSION, 5/8"-24 TPI to 5/8"-24 TPI -Threaded Adapter - SKU#078 - Hughes Precision LLC

This barrel extension fits 5/8"-24 threaded barrels, when installed it extends the barrel length by 1-1/2" to get that extra length you need for some suppressors and devises to clear the hand guard

hughesprecision.com

 

[osprey]

Buy a shorter handguard or cut existing and finish raw aluminum with aluma black. I have cut several, not a big deal depending on vent holes /m-lok/keymod pattern. I wouldn't mess with spacers with that type of muzzle device.