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Posted: 9/22/2009 4:52:56 AM EDT
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So, I'm at a loss here. None of my rifles (so far) have straight style slip rings, they all have the delta rings intended to give a better grip. But I'm pretty much set on going slip-ring style for the 604ish build I'm working on or I'll never forgive myself. My question is how the hell do I get the hand guards on?
The With my Bushmaster A4 I can get the round ones on and off, with the getting them on part sometimes involving a little bit of smacking things into place. The A1 clone I built takes two people working and cursing as a team to get them on, and THAT has a delta ring. So whats the deal to doing it with a slick little slipring? |
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It seems to depend on how long the rifle has had the hand guards on it. My flat-top is a one-hand job to get them off now.
The brand new A1 actually came close to drawing blood on two occasions. First while getting the barrel nut on, my assistant on the project slipped the wrench, marred up the barrel nut, and almost caused some bleeding. Second was while fighting the delta ring, and getting that little web of skin between your thumb and first finger caught up in the delta ring... |
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I use my handguard tool on my wooden handguards, 601 handguards, and non-drainhole triangular handguards.
Mainly to help protect the handguards due to their value, or perceived value. My A2, carbine, and drainhole hole triangular handguard get taken off by hand. But they're easily replaced if I mess them up, although I don't remember ever messing any up taking them on and off. |
Sorry,could'nt resist!!
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You knew this thread was going down hill.
I once saw a thread where you use a couple feet of some strong, thin rope...maybe it was fishingline. It's tied in a loop. Install one handgaurd which is normally pretty easy. With the rifle vertical, stock on the floor, hang the loop over the slip ring and in front of the guard. Step on the end of the loop that is hanging to depress the slip ring...hopefully more than you can by hand. Slide the other guard on. The loop ends up in between the guards. Untie the loop and pull it out from between the guards. Disclaimer - I have never tried it. I have no idea if it works. ETA: Here is a link discussing the same topic: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=461127 |
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Heh...Down hill fast...Yhea...
OK...What about this... Since the problem with tough hand guards seems to be mostly due to stiff weld springs, would it be possible to work them out a bit before building up the rifle? You know, like, set them under a stack of phone books for a week, or something like that? |
Buy yourself a time machine and transport yoursef back to U.S. Army basic training in the 70's or 80's -you will learn how to take them off without assistance in short order.
That said, working with all new components are probably tougher than stipping down the worn-out rifles we had in basic. BUT, once you get the hang of it, it's not undoable. I don't have any problems removing them from my A1 build, and it has a brand-new slipring spring from Essential arms and an NOS slipring. YMMV. I have a tougher time with the MI quadrails in my M4gery. 
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| I just get them on with a set of Channel-Lock pliers. Put the plastic/rubber coated handles around the slip ring and grip them together with one hand while pushing down. Use the other hand to insert the handguard. I've never marred either the finish on the slip ring or on the lower. |
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