Home CMMG How To Install the Daniel Defense RIS III Handguard

How To Install the Daniel Defense RIS III Handguard

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“Brownells Gun Tech™ Caleb Savant is at the bench to show us how to install Daniel Defense’s RIS III Handguard, one of their Rail Interface System M-LOK® handguards for the AR-15. The RIS III uses the Daniel Defense SIX-bolt lockup system for securing the handguard to the receiver.

Tools you’ll need: (1) Daniel Defense barrel nut wrench and (2) the hex wrenches that come with the RIS III, plus (3) Midwest Industries Upper Receiver Rod or a similar vise block to anchor the upper securely in the (4) bench vise, (5) adjustable torque wrench, and (6) Brownells Action Lube Plus® or similar grease. The RIS III is designed to fit a standard mil-spec AR-15 upper. It will work on billet uppers that have the necessary cutouts at the front (Caleb shows us).

Clamp the upper in the vise via the MI receiver rod. Put a little Action Lube Plus® on the outside of the barrel extension to help you slip it into the receiver. Slide the handguard bracket over the barrel and against the receiver. Put a little grease on the threads of the barrel nut and install it on the receiver, hand tightening it as far as you can. Use the barrel nut wrench and torque driver set to 35 ft.-lbs. to tighten the barrel nut. Install the gas block / gas tube.

Slide the RIS III over the barrel up against the bracket, anchoring it with the six screws. The two SHORTER screws go on the bottom of the handguard. Daniel Defense includes a hex wrench for these screws, but using a ball-tip wrench will make the chore way easier. Make each screw snug, but don’t fully torque them down until they’re all snugged on. There should be NO gaps between the rear of the handguard and the bracket. Now, install the bottom panel of the handguard. Bonus: you can use a slot, hex, or Torx® head driver to tighten the screws that retain the bottom panel.

When you’re done, the Daniel Defense RIS III brings a new meaning to the concept of a “”rock solid”” M-LOK® AR-15 handguard installation!

NOTE: Products in this video are to be used only for lawful purposes, including hunting, self-defense, and competitive or recreational shooting. If you purchase any of them, you are responsible for understanding and complying with all federal, state, and local laws that apply to the purchase, possession, and use of these products.”

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50 COMMENTS

  1. This is unrelated to this video but I have a question. I recently installed a Magpul ASAP QD end plate on my lower receiver. When I reinstalled the castle nut it kept turning the buffer tube off center. As someone with severe OCD how can I apply torque to the castle nut (I did not over tighten castle nut) without spinning the buffer tube off center so my stock isn’t canted? Help! Please and thank you.

  2. The cris-cross ONLY matters during the torque process…. NOT necessary when installing screws/bolts finger tight. Once torquing the begins YES cris-cross is required. For anyone “not” familiar with mechanics and the science/principal involved in the torque process.

    The cris-cross pattern while torquing is required to prevent warping of the object requiring the torque so that it properly tightened. Warping can be caused by the force of torque applied unevenly and results in improper torque and tightness required for both safe operation and to prevent mechanical failure of the joined stress points.

  3. I'm sorry "C" but I got to ask…. what did it take for Brownells to post a "how to" video when the rest of us would have had it deleted and or a strike…Even MI, and other manufacturers, got strikes for posting said videos…

  4. As what I was taught, you should "set" your barrel nut at least 2x before you torque it down…being tighten, loosen and repeat then torque. This will "Set" the threads…also with a set-screw gasblock I use a "tiny" drop of vibra-tite on the barrel, well away from the port, then tighten it down and wait 24 hrs before shooting…

  5. If anti-rotation tabs is not press fit to the upper they are FALSE anti-rotation. They are merely rotation limiter which then if handguard rotation little but tile one of those tab arrest the rotation by then all your zero on handguard are ABSOLUTELY LOST! UTTER TRASH Daniel Defense RIS crap. Buy upper with pin hole for anti rotation pin with wedgelock handguard they are unmatched along with Noveske NSR and Monolithic uppers.

  6. Beautiful looking rail. Probably should have mentioned that the 6 bolt plate will mate up to the mounting plate of the older RIS rails. If someone has an older RIS quad rail they can unbolt the old one and put on the new Mlok model without having to pull the barrel.

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