Required filing to fit aero precision mil-spec upper - Talon Armament AR-15 STF 15in Free Float Rail Handguard w/M-Lok, Hardcoat Anodized

I purchased this handguard to mate up with my new Aero Precision mil-spec upper because it was American made, reasonably priced and had good reviews. On the positive side, it looks great and is light weight. The finish on it is excellent, consistent and matches the Aero upper pretty well (it's slightly grayer). I used a JP Enterprises .750 Adjustable Gas Block on a Faxon rifle length barrel and this handguard clears the gas block just fine - it's a close fit, but it does clear it. The cutouts in the top of the rail are positioned so you can get the allen key onto the gas block adjustment screw to adjust it. However, the adjustment screw is partially covered by the handguard so it will prevent adjusting the screw out very far. I haven't had a chance to dial it in so I don't know yet if there is enough clearance for proper adjustment. Right now, it's set at 1 turn out per JP's initial setup instructions and it looks like there's about 1 mm clearance or so. This is not Talon's fault, they can't design a handguard to work with every gas system and gas block. I'm just noting for others that if you have a similar setup, that gas block fits but you may have to modify the handguard very slightly for best access, or remove it for adjustment. Finally, the barrel nut and attachment system is great. No gas tube timing required, very easy install and the bolt/setscrew lock down method is stable and secure.

On the negative side, when installed on my Aero Precision Mil-Spec upper the handguard was rotated about a degree or 2 counter clockwise when look down the shouldered gun. The top rail did not rotationally match up to the upper's rail by a couple hundredth of an inch - far enough off to be easily noticeable. Both of the alignment tabs were snug against the side of the upper so it seems either the tabs were not cut correctly or the design is out of spec. I had to file the left tab down quite a bit to get it to line up correctly. When installed, you can't see that's it's been filed, but I don't think you should have to do this on a properly made part. Given that, I wouldn't recommend this handguard and I wouldn't buy another one which is a shame because had it fit properly it would be a 5 star part all day.