"Ernie" gets galsses, goes to the range.

 

Shamu:  I had the same problem with my #4 Mk1.  it had the fore end cut off just behind the barrel band..  I ordered a handguard from Numrich or Sarco, I don't remember, and filed on it until it ended up looking like this. I did all of the work with a  3/8 square file.

 

 

 You will want to keep the reinforcing metal in the front of the guard, and you simply move the step on it back until the barrel band is about 3/16-1/4" behind the front of your Fore End.

 

All of the shortening of the Handguard is done at the rear and what you end up with looks the same as it does in the beginning except shorter. IE: same shaped relief cut that fits under the handguard retainer. You'll obviously need a barrel band swivel and bolt as well as the retainer,, All readily available from Sarco, Numrich, etc.

 

The fact that your's will be shorter than mine only means you won't want to use a handguard with the slots cut in it like I did as they will end up being cut off too. If your guard is much shorter than mine then those slots would weaken the rear of the handguard a bunch,

 

This whole project took me about 2 hours of filing to complete as I didn't want to rush it. Once you lay out the channel you have to cut in the fore end, remove the material in the center of the proposed cut first and then creep up on the outer edges.  Also  you need to shorten the handguard first and establish it's fit to the top so that you know far to push the front edge back.  Like I said you want the band at least 3/16 to 1/4" back from the front of your Fore End.

 

In the end you want the barrel band to be very tight as it closes on the swivel.  that way it is actually sandwiching the wood together and holding it in place.  You don't want it loose as it will work itself looser and probably slip off the end. Obviously the purpose of making a channel in the Fore end for the band is so that It won't slip off the end when slinging the rifle.

 

The biggest problem you'll have is finding a nice Walnut handguard that will match your existing wood.  They are available but you have to be careful as I thought I ordered one but ended up with some other kind of wood that took a lot of staining to get even close to the fore end. Should be less than $20.

 

If you need any help doing this mod just ask,,, It is not too hard and you just have to take your time and not remove too much wood.  IE Creep up on the fit!

 

Randy