Well Worth The Money
I used this tool to install a YHM handguard and completed the job in less than ten minutes. It sure beats trying to keep everything aligned with a ruler while tightening the jam nut.
Super Easy To Use
Does exactly what they claim. It makes getting your rail perfectly aligned with your flattop receiver a breeze. If you're going to invest [$] in a top of the line rail system it just makes good sense to make sure it's lined up As close to perfectly as humanly possible.Just be careful. Mine had a slight burr that would have scratched the finish if I hadn't caught it.
Good Idea, Needs Help
3 stars might be a bit generous, but it does do exactly what its designed to do. However, it needs some modifications. The instructions actually make a simple device confusing, but there is a video that explains it about a minute. It was extremely tight on the large block, but that turned out to a manufacturing defect, it had a decent burr where it should have slid on the rail. A minute or two with a file corrected that, but it shunt have this defect to begin with. So with the burr gone it slides in place, but the screws on the large block are largely pointless, if you really crank it down it makes a slight difference, but what it really needs is a slot cut into it so that the screws tighten. The rest of the fixture works exactly as it should. I would recommend it, but only if you have the means to make the slot in the large block and dont mind removing a burr with a file that now leaves a nicely blued piece with exposed metal.
Can't secure it to upper receiver
Tool didn't come with any instructions for use. The section that attaches to the upper receiver doesn't have have enough clamping force. I tightened the 2 cap screws all the way down & the tool still slides on the upper. The adjustable section that attaches to the handguard works fine. It appears that the channel cut down the center to allow that section to clamp, isn't cut deep or wide enough to let the tool clamp.
Hit and miss
This product does work - HOWEVER; The design requires that the tool be "slid" down the rail to get it into position and is VERY tight on most rails I've used it with. This COULD cause scratches or marring - nothing that will affect proper function of the completed system but if it's a customers' rifle or one you don't want to scratch/mar, then you'll end up not using this and line up the rails without it.... If both sections were bolt-on instead.... Just sayin'
It will damage upper.
Nice idea, but needs serious redesign. Does not fit all rails. Can scar and/or scrape surfaces.
Poor Choice
Well, I normally would not have purchased this because of the reviews, but I figured why not try it. Now that I have tried it, its nothing more than an expensive paperweight. It doesnt work on any handguard or receiver I own. It will damage your finish because its toooo tight. It was a nice thought to have two adjustment screws on the larger block, but they serve no useful purpose. Would recommend, if Brownells desires, to at least enable the two adjustment screws to be able to tighten around the rails. Overall, just a mistake and would not recommend to anyone.
Worthless
The tool that received does not fit on the rails at all. The fit was so tight, all it did was end up scratching up the rails. I finally gave up trying to make it fit. Worthless.
May be good for some, not others.
Found that this tool does not do a good job for screw on free float tubes such as thoses made by DPMS or Yankee Hill (Ones that screw onto a barrel nut that is provided with the tube.) Simply put, it does help line up the rails; however you will not be able to exert enough torque on the jam nut to securely hold the tube. Found out that I had to remove the tool and use a strap wrench and eyeball it as I had always done. It may help with the free float tubes that clamp onto the standard barrel retaining nuts; however, many of these index with the teeth on the nut. If they are not positioned exactly center of the rail when the barrel is installed, the tube will be off as well. Perhaps it was not designed for it, but it does not work on most free float tubes I have experence with. It may work if you are attempting to install a picatinny rail section to a standard round free float tube or some other custom application.
