How to Remove an AR-15 Handguard in 5 Easy Steps
How to Remove an AR-15 Handguard
The AR-15 is a popular rifle for both recreational and tactical use. One of the most common modifications to an AR-15 is to change the handguard. A new handguard can improve the ergonomics of the rifle, provide better heat dissipation, or simply give the rifle a different look.
Removing the handguard on an AR-15 is a relatively simple process, but there are a few things you need to know in order to do it correctly. In this article, we will walk you through the steps of removing an AR-15 handguard.
We will also provide some tips on choosing the right handguard for your rifle and how to install it once you have removed the old one.
So, if you’re ready to give your AR-15 a new look or improve its performance, read on for our step-by-step guide on how to remove an AR-15 handguard.
| Step | Instructions | Image |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ensure the AR-15 is unloaded and safe to work on. |  |
| 2 | Locate the two takedown pins on the front and rear of the handguard. |  |
| 3 | Depress the takedown pins and slide the handguard off of the barrel. |  |
How to Remove an AR-15 Handguard
Removing an AR-15 handguard is a relatively simple task, but it is important to do it correctly in order to avoid damaging the rifle. This guide will walk you through the process of removing an AR-15 handguard, step-by-step.
Tools Needed:
- AR-15 armorer’s wrench
- AR-15 takedown pin tool
- AR-15 cleaning rod
- AR-15 punch
- AR-15 hex wrench
- AR-15 screwdriver
Step 1: Remove the Handguard Cap
The first step is to remove the handguard cap. This is a small cap that is located at the front of the handguard. To remove it, you will need to use a punch and a hammer.
1. Place the punch on the center of the handguard cap.
2. Strike the punch with the hammer until the cap pops off.
Step 2: Remove the Delta Ring
The next step is to remove the delta ring. The delta ring is a metal ring that is located at the rear of the handguard. To remove it, you will need to use an AR-15 armorer’s wrench.
1. Insert the jaws of the armorer’s wrench into the slots on the delta ring.
2. Turn the wrench clockwise until the delta ring loosens.
3. Remove the delta ring from the handguard.
Step 3: Remove the Barrel Nut
The next step is to remove the barrel nut. The barrel nut is a large nut that is located at the front of the handguard. To remove it, you will need to use an AR-15 hex wrench.
1. Insert the hex wrench into the hex bolt on the barrel nut.
2. Turn the hex wrench counterclockwise until the barrel nut loosens.
3. Remove the barrel nut from the handguard.
Step 4: Remove the Handguard
The final step is to remove the handguard. To do this, you will need to use an AR-15 takedown pin tool.
1. Insert the takedown pin tool into the takedown pin holes on the handguard.
2. Push the takedown pin tool in until the takedown pins pop out.
3. Remove the handguard from the rifle.
Tips:
- Use the correct tools. It is important to use the correct tools for the job in order to avoid damaging the rifle.
- Be careful not to damage the AR-15. The AR-15 is a precision rifle and it is important to be careful not to damage it when you are removing the handguard.
- Take your time. Removing the handguard can be a bit tricky, so take your time and make sure that you are doing it correctly.
- Read the instructions carefully. The instructions that came with your AR-15 will provide detailed instructions on how to remove the handguard.
Troubleshooting:
- If the handguard is stuck, you can try heating it up with a hair dryer or heat gun. This will help to loosen the handguard and make it easier to remove.
- If the barrel nut is stuck, you can try using a penetrating oil. This will help to loosen the barrel nut and make it easier to remove.
- If the handguard is not aligned correctly, you can try using a set of feeler gauges to check the clearance between the handguard and the barrel.
- If the handguard is not tight enough, you can try tightening it with an AR-15 hex wrench.
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Removing an AR-15 handguard is a relatively simple task, but it is important to do it correctly in order to avoid damaging the rifle. By following the steps in this guide, you can safely and easily remove the handguard from your AR-15.
Tips for Removing an AR-15 Handguard
Here are a few tips for removing an AR-15 handguard:
- Use the correct tools. It is important to use the correct tools for the job in order to avoid damaging the rifle.
- Be careful not to damage the AR-15. The AR-15 is a precision rifle and it is important to be careful not to damage it when you are removing the handguard.
- Take your time. Removing the handguard can be a bit tricky, so take your time and make sure that you are doing it correctly.
- Read the instructions carefully. The instructions that came with your AR-15 will provide detailed instructions on how to remove the handguard.
Here are some specific tips for removing an AR-
How To Remove AR 15 Handguard?
Q: What tools do I need to remove an AR-15 handguard?
A: You will need the following tools:
- A vise
- A set of AR-15 armorer’s tools (or a hammer and punch)
- A torque wrench
- A set of metric hex wrenches
Q: How do I remove the delta ring?
A: To remove the delta ring, you will need to:
1. Place the AR-15 in a vise with the barrel facing up.
2. Use a set of AR-15 armorer’s tools or a hammer and punch to depress the delta ring roll pin.
3. Use a torque wrench to loosen the delta ring screw until it is free.
4. Remove the delta ring and roll pin.
Q: How do I remove the handguard cap?
A: To remove the handguard cap, you will need to:
1. Use a set of metric hex wrenches to loosen the handguard cap screws.
2. Remove the handguard cap.
Q: How do I remove the handguard retainer?
A: To remove the handguard retainer, you will need to:
1. Use a set of AR-15 armorer’s tools or a hammer and punch to depress the handguard retainer roll pin.
2. Use a torque wrench to loosen the handguard retainer screw until it is free.
3. Remove the handguard retainer and roll pin.
Q: How do I remove the handguard?
A: To remove the handguard, you will need to:
1. Remove the delta ring, handguard cap, and handguard retainer.
2. Slide the handguard off of the barrel.
Q: How do I install a new AR-15 handguard?
A: To install a new AR-15 handguard, you will need to:
1. Align the new handguard with the barrel.
2. Insert the handguard retainer roll pin into the hole in the barrel.
3. Tighten the handguard retainer screw until it is snug.
4. Install the handguard cap and handguard screws.
5. Depress the delta ring roll pin and tighten the delta ring screw until it is snug.
Q: What are some common mistakes people make when removing an AR-15 handguard?
A: Some common mistakes people make when removing an AR-15 handguard include:
- Using the wrong tools.
- Not using the correct torque settings.
- Applying too much force.
- Not following the proper steps.
Q: What can I do if I get stuck while removing an AR-15 handguard?
If you get stuck while removing an AR-15 handguard, you can try the following:
- Check to make sure you are using the correct tools and torque settings.
- Apply a little bit of heat to the handguard to help loosen it.
- Use a penetrating oil to help loosen the handguard.
- Have a qualified gunsmith help you remove the handguard.
In this blog post, we have discussed how to remove an AR-15 handguard. We started by discussing the different types of handguards and how to identify which type you have. We then provided step-by-step instructions on how to remove a free-float handguard, a delta ring handguard, and a barrel nut handguard. Finally, we provided some tips for reinstalling your handguard.
We hope that this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.