Is this BS

BC Buck · September 12, 2016, 06:07 PM

Just saw a email from a AR suppler offering a plastic wedge for .50 cents. Said it goes under your break down pin and is suppose to improve accuracy. Does this really do anything?

rickyrick · September 12, 2016, 06:10 PM

It keeps the upper and lower from wobbling, but never used one.

Ozzieman · September 12, 2016, 06:45 PM

I have a rubber one on my AR. I have no idea if it dose anything for accuracy but it does keep it tight. Since the barrel and receiver will move that small amount allowed for the loose fit it should effect accuracy but how much I would have no idea.

turtlehead · September 12, 2016, 06:45 PM

I use the AccuWedges. Keeps the receivers tight. Doesn't improve accuracy but makes you irresistible to women. Kind of a burden, really.

CarJunkieLS1 · September 12, 2016, 07:34 PM

For my AR's that have a little wobble in them I just take a rubber O-ring and place it around the tab on the upper that the front take down pin goes through. Its cheap easy to remove and replace and it works.

Old Bill Dibble · September 12, 2016, 07:37 PM

Yes it can improve accuracy if the upper and lower are sloppy and loose together. You might think that it would not make a difference because the upper has the sights on it.

The reason it is more accurate is because if you have the stock tucked in tight to your shoulder the upper will be moving around in small degrees enough to make your groups quite wide.

A better way would be to have a good upper and lower with good pins that hold it together tightly.

jmr40 · September 12, 2016, 07:40 PM

As said it does prevent the wobble between the upper and lower that is present in some AR's. Some don't have any wobble. If the upper and lower are moving around some as you're trying to shoot I could see it effecting accuracy. They're 50 cents. At worst you out a half dollar, it might help, it might not, but it won't hurt anything either.

reynolds357 · September 12, 2016, 08:37 PM

It improves accuracy if you have a poorly fit upper. If you have a tight fit upper, it is a waste of .50.

Ibmikey · September 13, 2016, 08:00 AM

Throw your lower in the parts bin and replace it with a Gen 2 Aero Precision lower which comes with a nylon tipped screw to take up any looseness betwween upper and lower. Fixed your problem and it only cost you:
$20. Transfer
$ 89. Receiver
$ tax If you live in Wa.
$ 7 Shipping
Now the wiggleis gone And it only cost $116 + - for the fix.

rpseraph · September 13, 2016, 08:26 AM

It depends a lot on how you shoot it. If you shoot off of a bipod, or a rest... most of the weight is on the front end and it will stave off a lot of the wiggle between upper and lower receiver. If, as Old Bill Dibble said, you have the stock tucked in your shoulder, not on a rest of some kind, will allow for the upper and lower to wiggle a bit.

I have used these wedges before, I have one in an AR at home. Does it add to accuracy? I don't know that I have noticed a measurable amount of accuracy improvement, but who likes wiggle? They do help with wiggle, for what it's worth.

**44 AMP** · September 13, 2016, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Since the barrel and receiver will move that small amount allowed for the loose fit it should effect accuracy but how much I would have no idea.

I don't see how it could affect the mechanical accuracy at all. Your sights, either irons or optics are solidly mounted to the upper group, with the barrel. The amount of play/wiggle/slop between the upper and the lower have NO effect on that.

SO, since the sights and the barrel are constantly firmly fixed together, the accuracy (shooting to the sights) is not changed in any way by a $0.50 piece of rubber or plastic in the lower.

If I'm wrong about that, please, enlighten me...

Old Bill Dibble · September 13, 2016, 11:44 PM

Quote:

If I'm wrong about that, please, enlighten me...

Keep in mind I am in no way endorsing the product. It is a poor solution to the problem.

You are not wrong in theory. I used to think much the same way. The difference is in actual practice.

ETA -

The reason it is different in practice is because your lining up three things: The front sight post, rear sight post and the shooters eye. The eye should not move as there should be a weld with the lower stock. That is where the problem comes in.

If the lower moves around then the alignment will change. How much is the question? A badly off lower might move 1/8" of an inch at the rear. This is quite a lot at range. An experienced shooter "might" be able to maintain the same sight picture and overcome this. However the change will likely be barely perceptible to most people. An untrained or low skill shooter will be much worse off. You will still be in the area but your AR-15 will get Ranch Rifle type accuracy. I have seen group open up as much as 4" at 25 meters with banged up old GI rifles.

mehavey · September 14, 2016, 05:47 AM

I have Accuwedges in all my AR actions (except the "M4-ish" carbine).
It does tighten everything to where it feels like solid unit.

That said, a piece of pencil eraser would do just as well.

jetinteriorguy · September 14, 2016, 05:53 AM

I am far from any kind of expert but I would think it might help. I would think that the inertia from releasing the hammer might cause the upper to move ever so slightly before the round goes off that it might have an effect on accuracy. But, who knows for sure.

Mobuck · September 14, 2016, 07:18 AM

If I encounter a combination that fits so sloppily that I feel it's a problem, I start sorting through the rack for a better fitting combo. I've encountered "too tight" far more often than "too loose". The only time I was totally flumuxed was an upper that the previous owner had "reamed to fit". The final outcome of that was a complete stripping of the upper and selling it "as is".

Ozzieman · September 14, 2016, 07:09 PM

Quote:

since the sights and the barrel are constantly firmly fixed together

Like I said, I have no idea it improves accuracy but I do like the tight fit between the upper and lower.
But even if the sights are locked to the barrel. When the gun is fired can the barrel end move upward as the rear of the upper moves down to where the upper and lower meet before the bullet leaves the barrel.
To me is seems it could (no idea one way or the other) improve accuracy. But,,,,, is there time for that to happen before the bullet leaves the barrel?

johnwilliamson062 · September 15, 2016, 07:54 AM

If your cheek weld is to the lower.
If your grip is half on the lower.
If your upper is moving.
I don't see how that can be accurate.

Of course, if you clamp the upper in a vise it will be just as accurate with or without a wedge, but in someones hands I don't see how it could be.

Slung in prone with tension on the two parts it might not make a difference either.

I don't know because so far I've had the upper and lower match up quite well.

kraigwy · September 15, 2016, 10:22 AM

Quote:

If I'm wrong about that, please, enlighten me...

Attend a major high power match. Check with those on the leader boards.

You wont find any such gismos on their rifles.

RickB · September 15, 2016, 10:22 AM

I have an "Accuwedge" in my AR, it does remove the rattle, but not really by "tightening", since the wedge is forcing apart the upper and lower.
I've seen an eccentric rear pin that will draw the upper and lower closer together to remove the rattle, and that seems like a better, if much more expensive, solution.
If anyone wants to try the Accuwedge, I have one in the paperclip tray on my desk and will mail it to the first person to PM their mailing address.

Erno86 · September 15, 2016, 01:07 PM

You can use a foam ear plug that sits inside the receiver, just underneath the rear takedown pin --- Use gun oil to make it stick better.

My tight fitting Rock River and Smith & Wesson AR's don't need wedges.

dgludwig · September 15, 2016, 03:08 PM

QUOTE: "Attend a major high power match. Check with those on the leader boards.

You wont find any such gismos on their rifles."

I shoot occasionally at Camp Perry. You will find a few competitors on the leader board who use the AccuWedge "gizmos". I know because I asked about them when I was setting my rifle up for competition. Nobody claimed it made them more accurate but the consensus seemed to be "why not; no harm in using it" if the fit seems "loose" (most agreed, though, that a rifle set up for serious competition should be "tight" from the get-go).

But, if there is some slop in your rifle, like rpseraph asked (rhetorically), "Who likes wiggle?"

dahermit · September 15, 2016, 03:16 PM

I seem to remember my Colt H-Bar, Match Target coming with (was standard from Colt) a Red Accu Wedge.

Old Bill Dibble · September 15, 2016, 03:29 PM

The foam ear plug is an old Army trick.

rickyrick · September 15, 2016, 03:54 PM

It goes against reason that sloppy fitting AR uppers can be just as accurate as no slop, but that seems to be how ARs are.
Most other rifles would suffer accuracy degradation if there was slop between the stock and the reciever

turtlehead · September 15, 2016, 05:08 PM

Because they're snugged up when you're shooting them.

I'd rather have a perfectly tight fit, though. As a mental thing.

September 12, 2016, 06:07 PM	#1
BC Buck Member Join Date: June 12, 2016 Location: Pike,Lincoln Co Missouri Posts: 46	Is this BS Just saw a email from a AR suppler offering a plastic wedge for .50 cents. Said it goes under your break down pin and is suppose to improve accuracy. Does this really do anything?

September 15, 2016, 10:22 AM	#19
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I have an "Accuwedge" in my AR, it does remove the rattle, but not really by "tightening", since the wedge is forcing apart the upper and lower. I've seen an eccentric rear pin that will draw the upper and lower closer together to remove the rattle, and that seems like a better, if much more expensive, solution. If anyone wants to try the Accuwedge, I have one in the paperclip tray on my desk and will mail it to the first person to PM their mailing address. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

September 15, 2016, 01:07 PM	#20
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	You can use a foam ear plug that sits inside the receiver, just underneath the rear takedown pin --- Use gun oil to make it stick better. My tight fitting Rock River and Smith & Wesson AR's don't need wedges. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell Last edited by Erno86; September 15, 2016 at 01:15 PM.

September 15, 2016, 03:08 PM	#21
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	QUOTE: "Attend a major high power match. Check with those on the leader boards. You wont find any such gismos on their rifles." I shoot occasionally at Camp Perry. You will find a few competitors on the leader board who use the AccuWedge "gizmos". I know because I asked about them when I was setting my rifle up for competition. Nobody claimed it made them more accurate but the consensus seemed to be "why not; no harm in using it" if the fit seems "loose" (most agreed, though, that a rifle set up for serious competition should be "tight" from the get-go). But, if there is some slop in your rifle, like rpseraph asked (rhetorically), "Who likes wiggle?" __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

September 12, 2016, 06:10 PM	#2
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	It keeps the upper and lower from wobbling, but never used one.

September 12, 2016, 06:45 PM	#4
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	I use the AccuWedges. Keeps the receivers tight. Doesn't improve accuracy but makes you irresistible to women. Kind of a burden, really.

September 12, 2016, 07:34 PM	#5
CarJunkieLS1 Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2013 Posts: 686	For my AR's that have a little wobble in them I just take a rubber O-ring and place it around the tab on the upper that the front take down pin goes through. Its cheap easy to remove and replace and it works.

September 12, 2016, 07:37 PM	#6
Old Bill Dibble Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2016 Posts: 802	Yes it can improve accuracy if the upper and lower are sloppy and loose together. You might think that it would not make a difference because the upper has the sights on it. The reason it is more accurate is because if you have the stock tucked in tight to your shoulder the upper will be moving around in small degrees enough to make your groups quite wide. A better way would be to have a good upper and lower with good pins that hold it together tightly.

September 12, 2016, 07:40 PM	#7
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	As said it does prevent the wobble between the upper and lower that is present in some AR's. Some don't have any wobble. If the upper and lower are moving around some as you're trying to shoot I could see it effecting accuracy. They're 50 cents. At worst you out a half dollar, it might help, it might not, but it won't hurt anything either.

September 12, 2016, 08:37 PM	#8
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	It improves accuracy if you have a poorly fit upper. If you have a tight fit upper, it is a waste of .50.

September 13, 2016, 08:00 AM	#9
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Throw your lower in the parts bin and replace it with a Gen 2 Aero Precision lower which comes with a nylon tipped screw to take up any looseness betwween upper and lower. Fixed your problem and it only cost you: $20. Transfer $ 89. Receiver $ tax If you live in Wa. $ 7 Shipping Now the wiggleis gone And it only cost $116 + - for the fix.

September 13, 2016, 08:26 AM	#10
rpseraph Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2015 Location: MinneSNOWta Posts: 454	It depends a lot on how you shoot it. If you shoot off of a bipod, or a rest... most of the weight is on the front end and it will stave off a lot of the wiggle between upper and lower receiver. If, as Old Bill Dibble said, you have the stock tucked in your shoulder, not on a rest of some kind, will allow for the upper and lower to wiggle a bit. I have used these wedges before, I have one in an AR at home. Does it add to accuracy? I don't know that I have noticed a measurable amount of accuracy improvement, but who likes wiggle? They do help with wiggle, for what it's worth.

September 14, 2016, 05:47 AM	#13
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,883	I have Accuwedges in all my AR actions (except the "M4-ish" carbine). It does tighten everything to where it feels like solid unit. That said, a piece of pencil eraser would do just as well.

September 14, 2016, 05:53 AM	#14
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,172	I am far from any kind of expert but I would think it might help. I would think that the inertia from releasing the hammer might cause the upper to move ever so slightly before the round goes off that it might have an effect on accuracy. But, who knows for sure.

September 14, 2016, 07:18 AM	#15
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	If I encounter a combination that fits so sloppily that I feel it's a problem, I start sorting through the rack for a better fitting combo. I've encountered "too tight" far more often than "too loose". The only time I was totally flumuxed was an upper that the previous owner had "reamed to fit". The final outcome of that was a complete stripping of the upper and selling it "as is".

September 15, 2016, 07:54 AM	#17
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	If your cheek weld is to the lower. If your grip is half on the lower. If your upper is moving. I don't see how that can be accurate. Of course, if you clamp the upper in a vise it will be just as accurate with or without a wedge, but in someones hands I don't see how it could be. Slung in prone with tension on the two parts it might not make a difference either. I don't know because so far I've had the upper and lower match up quite well.

September 15, 2016, 03:16 PM	#22
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	I seem to remember my Colt H-Bar, Match Target coming with (was standard from Colt) a Red Accu Wedge.

September 15, 2016, 03:29 PM	#23
Old Bill Dibble Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2016 Posts: 802	The foam ear plug is an old Army trick.

September 15, 2016, 03:54 PM	#24
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	It goes against reason that sloppy fitting AR uppers can be just as accurate as no slop, but that seems to be how ARs are. Most other rifles would suffer accuracy degradation if there was slop between the stock and the reciever

September 15, 2016, 05:08 PM	#25
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	Because they're snugged up when you're shooting them. I'd rather have a perfectly tight fit, though. As a mental thing.