blueknight6670 0 Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 I ended up buying a firebird side charging standard length rail from centerfire systems, it was the cheapest full size option. When it showed up I must say I was very impressed with the quality! It's a very well engineered and built piece of kit. I installed it today and only had two small hiccups. First the alignment hole on the top, but I had done enough research I know about that. Took me a few second with a drill bit. Second was the fit over the back of the barrel. It was so tight I had to use a rubber mallet and tap it into place....took about 3 to 4 good taps with the hard rubber persuader. Is this the norm? I seem to recall people talking about barrel thickness issues before? I can see exactly where it rubs because it marred the finish on the barrel a bit. All in all I'm just blow away by the quality of it. It makes the whole gun feel less like a toy and more like a real firearm. I also swapped in a tromix trigger group, very sweet and tromix stock adaptor. I'll post some pics as soon as my buffer tube and castle but show up, I am also waiting on a oversized mag release from t&n and a mag baseplate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james lambert 3,059 Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Centerfire has some very early units made before eksen made the barrel larger in diameter. Thats why yours is so tight. jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blueknight6670 0 Posted February 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 (edited) Ok so it's no issue then....mine is a late pre xn model....by the way great product Edited February 21, 2014 by blueknight6670 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flatland Shooter 22 Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) I was looking at those in Centerfire's catalog just the other day and thought I'd better get one before they run out. It appears Firebird no longer has the long handguard on their website. (I still use 3" shells on occasion.) Any chance you could give me a measurement of your barrel where the handguard gets tight? I also have a pre-XN but don't know if its an early or late one. It was purchased Dec 2012 from Centerfire. It was one of Firebird's 922 Compliance Conversions. Thanks. Bill Edited February 23, 2014 by Flatland Shooter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Goodwin 1 Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 i have an early xn modle and had the same problem, not a big deal just take a large round file and file down the handguard where it rubs save your self the ruber mallot headake it becomes a pain in the ass to strip down, been there done that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Starquestjoe 3 Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 I also just got a long side charging firebird fore end from centerfire. I have to say its a very nice peice. Have t installed it yet tho. That's for tomorrow projects. I couldn't pass up the deal for $200. I was goin to buy the same style but from T&N but would have cost $100 more. And cost was the only reason I we t with the firebird. I'm a budget builder and have alot of stuff goin on at once. So any little bit helps Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blueknight6670 0 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 It was the last 1/3 of an inch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Starquestjoe 3 Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 Installed mine today on my XN GUN. took about 10min. Fit perfect and looks awesome. The has some weight too it now tho Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flatland Shooter 22 Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) I started filling out the info to order one from Centerfire and noticed it now says for XN guns. What is the change and will it still work on my pre-XN gun? Edited to add: I think I may have found the answer. Firebird Precision is selling some of their parts online at www.3gunusa.com They list the short handguard versions as XN and not XN. In the ad it notes "This component is made specifically for XN shotguns and will not fit the AKDAL shotgun." Edited February 23, 2014 by Flatland Shooter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james lambert 3,059 Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 The barrel diameter on the xn is not the issue, the xn part will fit. WE supply a guide rod and seal with handguards, those do not interchange Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flatland Shooter 22 Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 Centerfire's catalog only shows the XN handguard. Checked the website and it shows they also have the non-XN models too. Looks like I'm GTG. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blueknight6670 0 Posted February 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2014 Ya flatland I have a pre xn gun too and I got the pre xn handguard. It's great in every way just a tight fit over the last 1/3 of an inch of the barrel. I'm going to file it a bit next time I strip the gun. Jim I didn't see the full size on your site or I would have ordered direct from you. I even called and left a message with your sales dept and never got a call back. I prefer the new style larger holes to the smaller slanted ones Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flatland Shooter 22 Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) Got my Firebird handguard in from Centerfire this evening and plan to install it this weekend. Bill Edited February 28, 2014 by Flatland Shooter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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