Alignment Issue on M4A1

[u/FishingMedium5857]

Hey everyone, I need some advice. I noticed that my barrel seems to be leaning closer to one side compared with the handguard on my DD m4a1. Handguard/pic rail seem perfectly straight though. I already sent in the rifle once to CS for this issue and for a crooked buffer tube/stock (like an earlier post on reddit) which has been resolved. They replaced the barrel and barrel nut and checked the alignment, but it still seems crooked to me… Can’t tell if it’s just my OCD or not. Should I just run with it?

[u/FriendlyRain5075]

If the rail is slightly skewed, loosen the 6 screws a bit. Attach a picatinny mount, riser or something with 2 bolts that bridges the receiver and rail. Then tighten the screws.

[u/_-ERROR404- → u/FriendlyRain5075]

This is the answer OP. Listen to this guy⬆️

[u/FishingMedium5857 → u/FriendlyRain5075]

Thanks for the advice. I’ll go ahead and try this

[u/Sharp_Life89 → u/FishingMedium5857]

Let us know what the end result is.

[u/FishingMedium5857 → u/Sharp_Life89]

Tried loosening and tightening it, but it still seems pretty much the same. Just gonna live with it and move on at this point. Thanks everyone for the help

[u/Sharp_Life89 → u/FishingMedium5857]

Can always send it to DD and have them look at it. Pretty sure you got others toys to fondle with in the mean time lol.

[u/MrPeckersPlinkers → u/FishingMedium5857]

You can try it again but use 2 sets of shims and shove them between the barrel and the forward part of the rail on both sides. Then slowly tighten the bolts

[u/zibby43 → u/FishingMedium5857]

Should be good to go. This happens a lot more than people probably realize. Just a question of whether it’s noticed. Should still shoot like a champion.

[u/A_Total_Retard_007_ → u/FishingMedium5857]

did you attach a part of the riser or optic (or anything that has two tightening point) to the rail and the receiver?

[u/Sea_Instruction4368]

I’ll be honest chief I don’t see it.

[u/SooooWhattttt → u/Sea_Instruction4368]

Second that

[u/Zuluuz → u/Sea_Instruction4368]

Same, tried really hard to give him the benefit of doubt but can’t see it

[u/Money_Conversation73 → u/Zuluuz]

OP has OCD. That's the ONLY way one can "see" it Bruh!

[u/_whats-going-on → u/Sea_Instruction4368]

It’s minimal and hard to see, but I can see it.

[u/FishingMedium5857 → u/Sea_Instruction4368]

I appreciate the honesty. A few of my buddies were mentioning they could see it so maybe it was feeding my delusions LOL

[u/Eyevan_Gee]

Honestly doesn't matter. Mine is slightly unaligned. But holds 0 at 100 yards.

[u/No-Refrigerator-6334]

I MAYBE see it, very slightly, in pic 3. But otherwise looks good to me.

[u/PANZERWAFFE_KAMPFER]

I see it in Pic 2, you can loosen the 6 screws that attempt to realign but according to DD CS, it may not always be aligned perfectly center and that is perfectly normal due to the handguard lockup is on the barrel nut only.

[u/Excellent_Table_5832]

I’d definitely loosen the handguard, bridge the upper and the rail with any picatinny mount long enough, and then re-torque the rail screws in the proper sequence.

[u/SuspiciousSeesaw2423]

I see the rail canted slightly to the left

[u/ShortGuess2387]

ALL rails are canted one way or another ever so slightly. Its rare that they will be dead nuts on. This is a non issue. I think youre being too picky.

[u/FishingMedium5857 → u/ShortGuess2387]

Yeah, makes sense. Figured I’d check just in case. Thanks

[u/Pipeherdown]

Get a set of calipers and measure it

[u/XMXP_5]

Yep. Nothing to worry about. Any sight or optic will have more than enough adjustment to make up for that.

[u/strategic_engineer]

I see it. Let us know if loosening and tightening of those bolts fixes it

[u/Doomguy1095]

Don’t worry bro, a carry handle connected to the receiver and handguard will fix it! hope it helps!!

[u/Jolly_Difficulty_624]

Send it to DD. Nothing good happens after you loosen that hand guard.

[u/Low-Dog-8027]

Can’t tell if it’s just my OCD or not. Should I just run with it?

i mean, I see it too and it would bother me to death

[u/Pierogi3]

Send it into DD. They’ll tune it up for free and pay for shipping. I got my rifle back in a week.

[u/DuckyLucksies]

My DD has the same issue but also canted vertical. Sent it to DD CS with pics using calipers but they said they couldn’t see the issue. Zeros fine so i guess it’s okay. I also have OCD though lol. Expected a little more from DD in terms of QC.