Why a Three Rail Arrangement?
The Costa Ludus/Ranger Point Handguard + Rail System was designed to provide lever gun shooters with exceptional flexibility in setup and cost while safeguarding the qualities of handling and accuracy that we love about these fine firearms. In order to meet all these goals we split the top picatinny rail into 3 separate sections. The handguard can be used with all 3 picatinny top rails, none, or any combination of two. It’s worth noting that installing one or more Gator rails makes the handguard even stronger.
In order to accommodate a range of manufacturing tolerances in the host rifles, we have imbued the entire handguard/rail system with adjustable fitments. It’s important to understand that when we talk about manufacturing tolerances we are talking about a universal phenomenon. As an example, there is really no such thing as a straight barrel. Each OEM must decide for themselves how much curvature is acceptable, and it is pretty well understood that a noticeably curved barrel can still shoot well.
Our job in the aftermarket is to work with or around this range of tolerances and still achieve the desired result. In the case of tube fed lever guns whose handguards attach to the barrel, this can be a challenge, because we want everything to align with the receiver, but the barrel is not running true.
We made a deliberate decision not to use a continuous top rail in order to mitigate the effect of manufacturing tolerances on accuracy. Our past experience as custom lever gun builders taught us that accuracy generally falls off when one ties the receiver to the barrel with a continuous rail. For the same reason, we strongly advise against “bridging” the receiver rail to a Gator Rail with a single optic.
In the basic handguard installation instructions, we looked at initial installation of all the parts. For many, the basic install will be adequate. These fine tuning instructions are for those who need/desire very good alignment between all three rails either for aesthetic reasons or because they are running optics in series.
The Costa/RPP Handguard + Rail system has adjustment in 3 ways:
1. Laterally at the receiver junction–via the angled set screws.
2. Laterally at the mounting tenon–via the perpendicular set screws and the tenon itself.
3. Vertically at each leg of the “Gator Rails” using jack screws.
Three Rail Alignment Procedures–beginning with the handguard already installed.
- Install the receiver rail. Use threadlock and torque to 10 in/lbs.
- Temporarily install both Gator Rails, heads pointing toward muzzle.
- Sighting along the central groove, check alignment of the Gators to the receiver rail. First adjust for angular alignment from receiver to mounting tenon by loosening the forward set screws and carefully bumping the handguard from side to side. Apply threadlock to the set screws and snug them against the barrel with 7 in/lbs torque.
- Next, check lateral alignment at the receiver/Gator junction. If there is misalignment, use the rear (angled) set screws to pull the back of the handguard from side to side. There is only a small amount of adjustment here. Secure the set screws with threadlock and 7 in/lbs of torque. Recheck angular alignment of the entire system.
- Check vertical alignment of Gator rails to receiver rail. Use a straightedge pressed along the top of the receiver rail, or flip the rifle upside down on a smooth, flat surface. If there is a step down from the receiver rail to the Gator rail, apply threadlock to the jack screws (6-32 set screws) and use them to raise the Gator rail on its legs. Be sure to loosen any installed mount screws (8-32 low profile head) to allow the feet to jack up. Turn left and right set screws in equal increments to maintain level.
- Once aligned and level with the receiver rail, apply threadlock to all four mounting screws and install them using 8 in/lbs of torque (too much will draw the foot down toward the handguard).
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 with the forward most Gator Rail, aligning it with the mid rail. Be sure to apply threadlock to all screws.
All about the Costa Handguard + 3 Rail System
Removing the Factory Handguard + Installing a new Henry M-LOK Handguard
Installing and Leveling the 3 rail syatem
Here's also a step-by-step installation article from The Tactical Den on our Gen 2 handguard (same install process)
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