I have a AR that I built from a kit. The upper receiver and barrel came pre-assembled. It has a stainless bull barrel and a free-float tube-style handguard. I think the handguard may be a DPMS, but I'm not sure (it looks like the DPMS pictures - no holes, matte black, lengthwise grooves). I want to remove it to install a sling swivel for a bipod.
Here's my problem: I assume this is a 2-piece handguard, and that I should be able to unscrew and remove the main tube while leaving the barrel nut portion in place. There appears to be a very tightly-fitted joint where the tube connects to the handguard (about 1.5" or so up from the receiver). But I've never been able to get it to budge. Yesterday, I tried again, and the whole thing (barrel nut and all) came loose. Now that I can feel from the inside, there seems to be a step where I think this joint is, but I'm not really sure this is a 2-piece. Could this be one solid piece of metal? Or are these pieces just very tightly jammed (like they tightened the barrel nut and tube at the same time with a strap wrench or something)? Any suggestions? It is frustrating not to be able to just unscrew this handguard (it has a low-profile gas block and no front sight, so it would slide off easily if I could do so). Are one-piece handguards common? Is there some trick to getting these loose? I've even wondered if the threads are reversed on these or something. Any help will be appreciated.
Doug
Here's my problem: I assume this is a 2-piece handguard, and that I should be able to unscrew and remove the main tube while leaving the barrel nut portion in place. There appears to be a very tightly-fitted joint where the tube connects to the handguard (about 1.5" or so up from the receiver). But I've never been able to get it to budge. Yesterday, I tried again, and the whole thing (barrel nut and all) came loose. Now that I can feel from the inside, there seems to be a step where I think this joint is, but I'm not really sure this is a 2-piece. Could this be one solid piece of metal? Or are these pieces just very tightly jammed (like they tightened the barrel nut and tube at the same time with a strap wrench or something)? Any suggestions? It is frustrating not to be able to just unscrew this handguard (it has a low-profile gas block and no front sight, so it would slide off easily if I could do so). Are one-piece handguards common? Is there some trick to getting these loose? I've even wondered if the threads are reversed on these or something. Any help will be appreciated.
Doug