engineer40 wrote:
I don't necessarily want to change the barrel nut if I could find a handguard that I like that would fit the barrel nut my 450BM already has. But I'm assuming by your response that there are not many handguards offered that have the 1.875x20 thread pattern?
Thanks!
just change the barrel nut. AFAIK the bushmaster proprietary barrel nut wont fit much at all - if anything - besides a DPMS or Bushmaster free float handguard. Maybe a hogue too, but dont hold me to that.
the UTG super slim nut is a very nice configuration, even if its not "mil spec" and is proprietary to the handguard. it'll still bolt right up to your upper. and theres nothing to get in the way of the gas tube - the gas tube goes over the barrel nut, not through it. tighten to spec, slide your gas tube in, tighten/align your gas block then just slip the handguard over & tighten the locking screws down.
mil spec should read as "lowest common denominator". that doesnt make them bad, its just a baseline standard. going outside of baseline can pay dividends in a few key areas - barrel, trigger, handguard & stock being the most popular upgrades from mil spec.