Opinions on using an Accu-Wedge in an AR-15

K

kgs

New member
I am currently using an Accu-Wedge in my Bushmaster and I am curious to know what some of you think are the pro's and con's to using one. I see there is a tensioning pin that Bushmaster and others sell that will accomplish the same goal, but for a little more cost. Fulton Armory highly recommends the Accu-Wedge. Colt supposedly installs them in their AR's.

kgs.
 
The Accuwedge came with my preban Colt Competition HBAR (1994) as factory standard. They must like them. It didn't do much for the slop between upper and lower in my rifle, so I went ahead and installed the JP Enterprises tensioning pin. Now the upper and lower receivers are definitely unitized, rock solid. It may be a psychological thing, but my match scores improved, also.
 
I have one upper/lower combo that needed the JP tensioning pin. (24" bull barrel" The drawback to that is you need tools to take it down. I don't mess with the accuwedge at all. Just my .02
 
They don't do much in my opinion...

Since the barrel, bolt, and sights are all mounted on the top half, the accuwedge only helps allay the owner's fear of their rifle having some slop between the two halves. They shoot about the same loose or tight. JMHO
 
The Jury is undecided...

so here's the advice I recently gave another individual who asked the same question. Without the Accu-Wedge, fire 20 rounds (four 5 round groups) without it. Take your time and do your best to group tightly. Take a break (and scrub out the bore). Now, install the Accu-Wedge and fire another 20 rounds (same four five round group). Compare and you decide whether it works for you (and then please share the results with us).
 
The accuwedge will reduce the "normal" wiggle between the upper and lower. The wiggle between the upper and lower is due to forging and machining tolerances and guarantees interchangeability. Sometimes this wiggle bothers the owner and the wedge or tensioning pin will get rid of it. Some also feel that the accuwedge acts as a shock absorber and will reduce wear in the takedown pin areas. If you use one be sure to keep the takedown pins/holes lubricated and "squeeze" the upper and lower together before attempting to push the takedown pin out/in. Occasionally everything lines up just right and there is no wiggle between the upper and lower, however this is the exception and not the rule.
 
Tensioning Pin

When I first purchased my Bushmaster, I did notice a little "slop" between the upper and the lower. Not much, but a little. To me, this was like the loosness or that little "wiggle" in a folding knife when the blade is in the open position. Drives me nuts! I bought a JP Enterprises stainless steel tensioning pin and the upper and lower are now locked together like they're one piece. It works great!
I know those little rubber wedges are much less expensive, but the tensoning pin works much better.
You also have to carry a small Allen wrench to operate the pin when you take the AR down for cleaning. It's a small one though and it fits easily in the butt-stock compartment.

Kentucky Rifle
 
Accu-Wedge

kgs,

I agree with BigG. The accuwedge in my opinion is a marketing gimmick. I bought two of them and they are in two of my ARs. Since the front and rear sights, barrel, and bolt are assembled on the upper receiver, the upper-lower fit is not critical. I've produced the same groups with AND without an accuwedge.

Jim
 
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