BROWNELLS - Handguard Alignment Tool

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'