How to Bed the Forend on the NEF Rifle

New England Firearms (NEF) produces a line of break-barrel-style single-shot rifles, with the most common being the Handi-Rifle. All weapons produce barrel vibration when fired, including the Handi-Rifle. In order to reduce the vibration and keep the barrel tuned, the forend (front hand guard) can be bedded to add cushioning. Bedding is generally done by applying epoxy, or through a glass pillar process.

Things You'll Need

  • Electrical tape
  • Channel rasp
  • Padded vise
  • 7/16-20 NF tap
  • Drill with router bits
  • 1/4-inch dowel rod
  • 1/4-20-inch NC tap
  • Epoxy
  • Epoxy release agent
  • Plastic applicator
  • Knife or scraper
  • 1/2 inch chamfer bit
  • O-ring
  • Denatured alcohol
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Instructions

    • 1

      Unload the weapon. Visually inspect the chamber to ensure that no live ammunition is present.

    • 2

      Turn the weapon upside down. Unscrew the forend screw located at the center of the forend.

    • 3

      Wrap three layers of electrician's tape around the barrel where the forend is located. Secure the fore-end, channel side up, in a padded vise to protect from scratching.

    • 4

      Widen the forend channel, starting in front of the tapered rear end, using a channel rasp. Remove enough material in the channel to widen it up to .020 inches inside the channel.

    • 5

      Set the forend onto the barrel, over the electrician's tape, to check the channel work. Once the forend fits neatly over the barrel and electrical tape, the channel widening process is complete.

    • 6

      Tap a hole in the fore-end, over the swivel stud using a 7/16-20 NF tap. This will keep the epoxy pillar from spinning and give it extra biting area for a more secure bond.

    • 7

      Drill out the inside perimeter around the hole 1/4 inch deep using a router bit. This will strengthen the epoxy pillar pad.

    • 8

      Cut a piece of 1/4-inch dowel rod to 2-inches long and thread it using 1/4-20-inch NC tap. This will be used as a guide for the forend while keeping the excess epoxy out of the hanger stud threads.

    • 9

      Apply a light coat on the barrel, barrel hanger, 1/4-inch dowel rod and the forend attachment screw using an epoxy release agent. Release agents are generally available with a rifle bedding kit, or where gunsmith supplies are sold.

    • 10

      Mix up 1 tablespoon of epoxy per the manufacturers directions -- as all epoxy varies in application and mixing. Add 1/2-tablespoon of atomized steel to the mix for strength.

    • 11

      Secure the barrel and action in a padded gun vise with the hanger stud facing up. Insert the wooden dowel into the hanger stud.

    • 12

      Apply the epoxy to the tapered rear area of the forend with a plastic applicator. Ensure the epoxy coats the threaded area of the forend hole that you tapped. Position the forend over the wooden dowel and align between the electricians tape layers.

    • 13

      Unscrew the dowel rod and remove it. Insert the release agent coated screw. Tighten the screw hand tight; two revolutions will suffice.

    • 14

      Wait the appropriate amount of time for the epoxy to achieve a plastic state -- per manufacturers instructions. After plasticity is achieved, remove the forend screw and forend. Clean up any excess epoxy with a knife or scraper. Clean the epoxy from the attachment screw and the female threads of the hanger stud. Add another light coat of release agent to the screw and hanger stud threads again.

    • 15

      Chamfer the hanger side of the epoxy pillar using a 1/2-inch drill bit. This will make room for the O-ring.

    • 16

      Add 3 layers of electricians tape to the bottom of the barrel parallel with the bore, front and rear of the new pillar. Place a rubber O-ring on the hanger stud. Install the forend on the barrel. Tighten the screw enough for the forend to bottom-out on the layers of tape.

    • 17

      Leave the gun in a cool, dry area for 7 days. After a week of curing, disassemble and clean the release agent off the parts using denatured alcohol.