Colt M4 Handguard Removal

[Barmcd]

I'm trying to get the handguard off of my Colt M4 to look at the barrel. I found light rust on my other AR barrel and want to make sure I don't have any on this one. You're supposed to pull the Delta Ring away from the forearm stock which should release the two halves of the handguard. Is this just a brute force operation? I can move it almost far enough to see the end of the handguard, but not quite. There's a stout spring behind it.

 

[Barmcd]

Well, never mind, I found out there is a tool to make this easier.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Or grab a buddy. One person holds the gun and the other pulls the ring.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Yes. Brute force.

The tool is the way to go.

 

[Barmcd]

Or grab a buddy. One person holds the gun and the other pulls the ring.

I thought about getting the wife to help me....for about 5 seconds!

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

It's not the topic but, what manner of scope is that ?

 

[Barmcd]

It's not the topic but, what manner of scope is that ?

Its a Vortex 1X8X24 Strike Eagle

 

[earlthegoat2]

Just be glad it is not an early Colt type delta ring like on this SP-1 Carbine. They are nearly impossible without a tool.

 

[ECVMatt]

My son, he's 18, starts to cry when he sees that I am working on my AR's with delta handguards...

Just kidding around a bit, but they can be a huge pain to remove when the rifle or upper is new. I have found that one the handguards have been on for a awhile the spring in the delta ring becomes easier to compress.

My son is going to college in a few months, so since I am loosing my partner, what is the best removal tool?

And congratulations on a great rifle. My Colts have proven to be accurate and reliable.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I use this one, works fine

Wheeler Delta Series Handguard Removal Tool AR-15 Steel

The Wheeler Engineering Delta series handguard removal tool makes removal of your stock 2-piece handguards simple. The tool is contoured for an...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[dogtown tom]

You can use a bootlace or paracord looped around the Delta ring, pull down and violins!


Or......
How To Remove AR15 HandGuard WITHOUT Delta Tool

AR15 HandGuard Removal Tool Home Made

 

[JeffG]

The padded handles of a large channel lock pliers can be pressed into service also.

 

[Barmcd]

My son, he's 18, starts to cry when he sees that I am working on my AR's with delta handguards...

Just kidding around a bit, but they can be a huge pain to remove when the rifle or upper is new. I have found that one the handguards have been on for a awhile the spring in the delta ring becomes easier to compress.

My son is going to college in a few months, so since I am loosing my partner, what is the best removal tool?

And congratulations on a great rifle. My Colts have proven to be accurate and reliable.

Congrats on your son going to College! I have no complaints about my Colt. The only mod I had to do was replace the trigger as the original was pretty hefty on my gun.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

Just be glad it is not an early Colt type delta ring like on this SP-1 Carbine. They are nearly impossible without a tool.

View attachment 1191515

Do you mind if I save this photo, for reference purposes?

 

[CapnMac]

I use this one, works fine

Ditto.

 

[Barmcd]

You can use a bootlace or paracord looped around the Delta ring, pull down and violins!


Or......
How To Remove AR15 HandGuard WITHOUT Delta Tool

AR15 HandGuard Removal Tool Home Made

The toothbrush method is epic!

 

[earlthegoat2]

Do you mind if I save this photo, for reference purposes?

I stole it from the internet myself so have at it.

 

[ECVMatt]

Congrats on your son going to College! I have no complaints about my Colt. The only mod I had to do was replace the trigger as the original was pretty hefty on my gun.

Same here. I changed out the factory trigger and called it good.

Enjoy!

 

[burrhead]

"The padded handles of a large channel lock pliers can be pressed into service also."

That's what I do aslo.

 

[wesmonster]

I got the Wheeler tool, doesn't get used much but a lifesaver when it's needed.

I'll save the channel locks for the plumbing and try to avoid idiot scratches on my ARs.

 

[NuclearMeltdown]

I got the Wheeler tool, doesn't get used much but a lifesaver when it's needed.

I'll save the channel locks for the plumbing and try to avoid idiot scratches on my ARs.

Good advice! My wife and I had to combine forces with a pair of those after I tried it on my own and put a small scratch on the carry handle.

Must depend on the rifle though -- a few years later, I watched a friend of mine pull his rifle-length handguards off with his bare hands and think nothing of it.

 

[burrhead]

"I'll save the channel locks for the plumbing and try to avoid idiot scratches on my ARs."

I'm not sure how one would scratch anything with the rubber coated channel lock handle touching the delta ring. Do a search. The tool's jaws don't contact anything other that a person's thigh. I try not to buy single function tools when I can avoid it.

 

[tarosean]

Bought my first AR in 91. Didn’t know they made a tool till today.

 

[Captains1911]

I thought about getting the wife to help me....for about 5 seconds!

Yep, been there done that….

 

[Charlie98]

I watched a friend of mine pull his rifle-length handguards off with his bare hands and think nothing of it.

Yes, some rifles are different. I can normally pull handguards off without tools, but I picked up an early Bushmaster carbine a few weeks ago... those were the dickens to get off. Worse, my handy dandy tool was out in NV at the time, so I just had to muscle through it.