Abstract: A handguard securement system and related method are provided. The system can include a barrel nut that secures a barrel to a receiver and forces a handguard against the receiver. The barrel nut can include one or more annular grooves. When the handguard is initially installed loosely adjacent the receiver, over the barrel nut, the grooves are misaligned with corresponding handguard fastener holes, such that portions of the barrel nut obstruct a portion of the holes. When the fasteners are advanced in the holes, and into further registration with the corresponding grooves, this results in a rearward force exerted by the fasteners on the perimeters of the holes to thereby drive with that force the handguard into forced engagement with the receiver. Any gap between the handguard and the receiver can subsequently be eliminated, with the handguard forcibly pushed against the receiver with the force generated by the fasteners.

Abstract: A handguard securement system and related method are provided. The system can include a barrel nut that secures a barrel to a receiver and forces a handguard against the receiver. The barrel nut can include one or more annular grooves. When the handguard is initially installed loosely adjacent the receiver, over the barrel nut, the grooves are misaligned with corresponding handguard fastener holes, such that portions of the barrel nut obstruct a portion of the holes. When the fasteners are advanced in the holes, and into further registration with the corresponding grooves, this results in a rearward force exerted by the fasteners on the perimeters of the holes to thereby drive with that force the handguard into forced engagement with the receiver. Any gap between the handguard and the receiver can subsequently be eliminated, with the handguard forcibly pushed against the receiver with the force generated by the fasteners.