Forend not exactly mounting straight semi tight- CWLongshot please take a look!

[mkgeorgetown]

Hi all,
Was working on my synthetic forend of my new 44 mag, had a tight spot or two. I have noticed that when putting the forearm on it is somewhat tight and does not necessarily go on easily, and once it is on it is not quite centered (more daylight on one side than the other). Also in the very back of the forarm, I am getting a little bit of contact to back part of barrel from one of the "ears" on the very end of forearm, just on one side that are on the side of the fat part of barrel back by receiver. I have relieved some material from this area and it is better, however I feel it may be more due to the hole in the forearm as it is quite tight and does not line the forearm up straight. I can run a dollar down the front of forend to the stud, and most of the way on the other side of stud, until I get to the "ear" of the forearm on the back side then it gets a tad tight. I guess question is, should I file or drill out (only as far down as the mounting threaded piece on the barrel goes into forearm, not all the way thru) forearm so that this would have less torque and thus allow the firearm to be screwed on more centered and not pulled to one side? Would this allow too much play, though I suspect when the screw was snugged and rubber washer in place shouldn't move too much? Your thoughts please and I have read the faqs, just looking for some extra detail for this current situation.

[mkgeorgetown]

By the way others can post suggestions other than CW, by all means! I merely singled him out because he had described a similar situation in the faq.

[BC Steve]

I'm curious to see some answers on this one too.  I just bought a Ultra 45-70 SS with the laminate thumb hole stock.  I just noticed that I have more daylight on one side of the forend than the other.  Other than not looking perfect will it cause any other problems?  Is there supposed to be a rubber washer on the stud?  Mine does not have one.

[cwlongshot]

 Looks to me like there is one of two problems. Either your forarm is askew or your barrel is.

 These plastic forarms can be warped from new. Do you have another preferably wood forarm to try?

 Can you see any irregularity in the stud on your barrel that would push the forarm to one side or the other?

 Lastly the barrel lug or the hinge cut itself could be mounted/machined out of square to the barrel. You will need to make some accurate measurements to check. I would remove the barrel and mount it up in a vice and get square and level. Check the barrel lug and its relief cut for the hinge pin. Fineally check the barrel stud for square. If you find an irregularity I would most likely return to the factory. if it was minor and I could fix it I may try. It all depends of how handi you are.

Good luck,
 CW

[coop2564]

Every forearm I have had from them has been were one side was closer than the other even the wood ones. I've just taken them off and sanded it down until I got clearence.

[mkgeorgetown]

Update:
I removed the foreend and after examination determined that the there is not as much daylight on one side of receiver as there is on the other. Lockup is nice and even however (I see one continuous line across the latch, you can see where the lockup has been happening, a good thing) So I did not want to send it back. So what I ended up doing is taking some sand paper and working down the one side of the stock that was touching (the back "ear" that is close to receiver) as well as reaming out the hole in my stock (slowly and carefully) as forearm was quite tight. After doing these actions, forend is more centered, does not go on nearly as tight, and I can slide a dollar bill all the way under any area of the barrel which I could not do before (even the "ears" in the back by receiver). I have also added a neoprene washer at the forend mounting stud. After doing all this, the rifle opens much easier (I can press the lever and it drops open, this was not like this before), it is not binding like it seems to have been before. I just have to try it now and see if I have increased accuracy of it (was decent before but seemed to be semi inconsistent, still good enough to kill deer at 50 yards which is what I hunt in but felt it could do better, I did not remove the forearm and try at the time, wish I had). I hope these actions will make a more accurate consistent shooter out of it, as I know it was being binded by the stock.Thanks to you all for your information, and when I get decent day, I will go shoot again and report back.

[mkgeorgetown]

Hi all,
See previous post info, my forearm was tight and rubbing the receiver and barrel would not drop open easily when pressing the button. I sanded and got room on both sides of receiver and barrel, added neoprene washer to forearm stud and now instead of bullets flying somewhat inconsistently, now at 50 yards three rounds go into around 1.2 inches or so, (Magtech 240 grain JSP's), at 100 yards fired three rounds at 100 yards at around 1.5 inches. I now have extreme confidence in this weapon as a close range deer killer. Thanks for all the tips in the forum, following these and doing a little work (which was actually kind of fun), has been extremely beneficial. I must say I did JB paste in my bore as well, maybe a combo of the JB and relieving pressure points. Much better . I only fired 8 rounds total, I am not cleaning or touching anything until after deer season (I know it is awhile off!). It is light compact, doesn't kick like a mule, and should bring hurt down on whitetails up close.

Mark

[cwlongshot]

Mark,
 GOOD JOB!!! Glad its worked out so well for you!!!

 I need to get out there with my 44 and punch some holes...

CW

[mkgeorgetown]

CW,
It was alot of your tips that got me there, want to say I appreciate it. I have heard you have not been feeling so well, I do not know the circumstance, but will pray for you and wish you all the best.

Sincerely,
Mark

[cwlongshot]

I am doing great. All the prayers from my friends here did me very well!! 
 I had a heart attack on Jan 13Th 2009. I have since gone back to work (Just this past week) and doing half days and lite duty and I feel better then I have in years. WELL on my way to being better than I was before!!!

 CW