Cutting down a handguard

[BigMike]

I want a 10 inch hand guard for a short gun I am putting together and in my world all things match. Its a BCM QRF. The 12 inch is in stock just about everywhere and reasonable. Can I cut it down to 10 and not have it look like a caveman did it with an axe when I am done? I know I'll lose the front qd socket, but I dont use that one anyway. Thinking a table mounted band saw might just be the trick. Who knows, might even get it to a 10.5 to meet up flush with the threaded shoulder on an 11.5 barrel. Who has done it and been pleased with the result, or displeased with the result, or thrown the whole thing in the trash and destroyed all the evidence?

 

[User170512]

Would think it depends mostly on your abilities and experience.

 

[RiverBend]

I did one on a CZ Evo Scorpion, cut the std handguard down to micro length, used a damn hacksaw scribed a straight line around, sawed long then used grinder to get smooth to the line, looks factory. Oh and I used a black paint pen to color the shiny end.

 

[DADI03]

Ban saw is the way to go. Use a file to touch up the cut and smooth it out a little then touch up the paint. Make sure everything is very square before you start.

 

[jeep78]

https://www.ohhunt.com/collections/...el-nut-for-scope-mount?variant=31324540239932


I might practice on something like this first

 

[Barnes.sr45]

I used a radial arm saw with an aluminum cutting blade. Nice clean cut. Finish off with a small file (half moon works best). I taped off the end with painters masking tape approximately 1/32-1/16 inch from the cut end and hit it with some spray paint. I liked the way it turned out.
I used a hand guard that had m-lock slots and they lined up around the hand guard 360deg. If your hand guard has key-mod slots it might not be a clean look on the cut end depending how they line up.

 

[BigMike]

Sitting here fooling with my tape measure on one I already have makes me think it might be pretty simple. Im gonna paint the whole thing anyway. Decisions Decisions.

 

[kuzcokelly]

Use a stick of wax on both sides if a carbide tipped blade and it will cut through like butter at a medium slow pace. I built signs with aluminum for 9 years and NEVER had an issue. Just wear a full face shield . The "sawdust" generated is hot when it comes off.

 

[JET 5.45x39]

There are some “industry people” now that do it professionally ( Search chop boss he does reductions and FSB cuts) you could send it in. Or maybe call BCM to get an eta on when rails will be in stock if it where me I would Just get a DDM4, Midwest, Larue or similar quad rail

 

[Chatsworth]

Chop saw.