Free floating handguard removal

[Dariaki92x]

Hi guys, today I picked up my dream rifle, a Colt m4 le6920 with a 14.5" inches barrel (in Italy it's legal)...and I'm on cloud nine!
The only thing that bugs me is that the rifle came with a free floating handguard (from NcStar, I don't about this brand) already installed...
And since I wanna bring it back to the original configuration with the double heat shield Colt handguard I need to remove it but apparently is impossibile without gunsmithing...
do you have any clue how to take this quad rail off?
Maybe some pictures will help:

 

[SC45-70]

First you have to remove the sight, the pins are tapered and have to be driven out in the correct direction.
Once the front sight and gas tube have been removed use a spanner wrench to loosen the retaining nut that holds the hand guard in the proper orientation.
With the retaining nut loose the handguard should unscrew from the barrel nut.
Use a barrel nut wrench to remove the barrel nut.

An action holding fixture and a good bench vise are a must!

You will need a delta ring and barrel nut to install a Colt handguard

SC45-70

 

[Dariaki92x]

First you have to remove the sight, the pins are tapered and have to be driven out in the correct direction.
Once the front sight and gas tube have been removed use a spanner wrench to loosen the retaining nut that holds the hand guard in the proper orientation.
With the retaining nut loose the handguard should unscrew from the barrel nut.
Use a barrel nut wrench to remove the barrel nut.

An action holding fixture and a good bench vise are a must!

You will need a delta ring and barrel nut to install a Colt handguard

SC45-70

Sh*t...this sounds like stuff for an armorer, right? I wouldn't want to screw that up... I need the barrel nut assembly then?

 

[SC45-70]

This is what you have to remove from the upper.

This is what you will have to replace it with.


It will be very difficult without the correct tools!

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[Dariaki92x]

So...delta ring assembly + barrel nut only or barrel nut assembly? Since on Brownells I saw them both...

 

[SC45-70]

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...mbly-steel-black-sku160300020-4761-10739.aspx
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[Offhand McFlan]

I just remembered why I like my Izhmash AK.

(I'm half kidding!)
You're still looks like a real nice rifle. Well made, just a little unnecessarily complicated.

 

[Dariaki92x]

I just remembered why I like my Izhmash AK.

(I'm half kidding!)
You're still looks like a real nice rifle. Well made, just a little unnecessarily complicated.

Yeah, tell me about it... but I love the m4 and I couldn't pass on this one!

 

[Dariaki92x]

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...mbly-steel-black-sku160300020-4761-10739.aspx
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This is a completely different part compared to the delta ring assembly then

 

[SC45-70]

This is a completely different part compared to the delta ring assembly then

This is the barrel nut and delta ring assembly, assembled as a unit.

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[Dariaki92x]

This is the barrel nut and delta ring assembly, assembled as a unit.

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Ok, I placed the order...god bless Brownells

 

[SC45-70]

I like the "old school" look of the old Colts.



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[Dariaki92x]

I like the "old school" look of the old Colts.

View attachment 1000080

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18 inch barrel?

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Pretty cool that you guys can have 14" ARs over there! I wouldn't have guessed it.

Gunsmiths might be thinner on the ground in Italy than in the US, but I would see if any are available nearby to help you. By the time you get done buying action blocks, barrel nut wrenches, etc, you are probably close to the cost of hiring the job out unless Italian gunsmiths' fees are just truly outrageous.

 

[SC45-70]

I like the "old school" look of the old Colts.

View attachment 1000080

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16 inch barrel
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[CapnMac]

This is the barrel nut and delta ring assembly, assembled as a unit.

Question, I don't see the front ring for the 2-peice handguards on OP's firearm.
So, one of these too?
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...ound-handguard-cap-steel-black-prod17575.aspx

Hope OP has found the LE6922 handguards, as the Brownells are out of stock: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...t-prod113446.aspx?avs|Style_1=2-Piece|Carbine

 

[greyling22]

If you have a local gun shop, most people take off the delta ring and handguards. They can often be had for free or cheap

 

[gyp_c2]

Don't forget this if you want it like the original.
https://www.brownells.com/shooting-...unts/tactical-sling-mount-front-prod4521.aspx

 

[SC45-70]

Question, I don't see the front ring for the 2-peice handguards on OP's firearm.
So, one of these too?
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...ound-handguard-cap-steel-black-prod17575.aspx

Hope OP has found the LE6922 handguards, as the Brownells are out of stock: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/forend-amp-handguard-parts/handguards-amp-rails/ar-15-c-a-r-handguard-set-prod113446.aspx?avs|Style_1=2-Piece|Carbine

If you look closely at the O P's 2nd photo you can see the front ring under the handguard so he shouldn't need another one.

SC45-70

 

[Dariaki92x]

Hey guys, here I am...sorry for being on the run. I purchased another front ring from Brownells just in case but the rifle has one already. I got the tactical sling too

 

[Dariaki92x]

Question, I don't see the front ring for the 2-peice handguards on OP's firearm.
So, one of these too?
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...ound-handguard-cap-steel-black-prod17575.aspx

Hope OP has found the LE6922 handguards, as the Brownells are out of stock: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/forend-amp-handguard-parts/handguards-amp-rails/ar-15-c-a-r-handguard-set-prod113446.aspx?avs|Style_1=2-Piece|Carbine

I found the Colt double heat shield handguard at Charlie's custom clones...plus a GI original sling!