Refinishing my Garand, How do I remove the spring on the handguards?

B

bushmaster225

New member
I'm going to undertake the task of refinishing my CMP Garand. I got all the metal off but the clip that holds the handguard onto the barrel (Closes to the receiver) How do I get that off?

What is the best stain to use? Do I need to use stain the stock looks beautiful stripped. Should I use Tungs or Linseed? And should I try making that Linseed/Beeswax mix if I wouldn't be shooting in the rain.

Thanks so much for your help.
 
When I refinished my Garand I used a pair of Handguard Clip Pliers. You can get them from Fulton Armory for $30.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/

I don't know any other way to get them off without buggering the handguard or the clip. As far as finish goes, what people use depends on personal taste. After preparing the stock I used a couple of coats of Minwax Natural stain (its clear) to seal the grain, rubbing with 00 or 000 steel wool after each coat. To finish I used 2 coats of Minwax Tung oil finish, using 0000 steel wool between coats and finishing off by buffing with a nylon stocking. Some people prefer Linseed oil instead of Tung oil. Hope that helps.
 
I'll second the opinion that the special pliers are the only way to go. I've seen several handguards that were split in an attempt to remove the band. When I want to get one off, I just send it to someone that has the tool. Someday, I might buy them, but... :)
 
If the wood is all walnut I would not use a stain. I would use a wood filler such as the walnut one by Birchwood Casey then finish with either Tung Oil, TruOil (by Birchwood Casey) or a mixture of 50/50 boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits. Either way it will take several coats well rubbed in. If the wood is beech (a light colored wood) The choice is still yours but I would use a walnut or some type of stain to darken it, after filling it and then finishing it as I described above.
I swear one day I am going to get a stock for my Garand that matches! The stock and front handguard are both beech and the rear handguard is walnut :). The one good thing is they are all SA.
 
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