NOT ANYMORE!!!
Sorry for the excitement but I had a heck of a time trying to remove the barrel bands. I just bought a M38 and wanted to clean her up nicely. I was trying not to scratch the stock, but the plastic tools I was using were slipping.
I found the solution on a forum post that suggested using: a wooden clothespin. I oiled up the stock to prevent scratches from the barrel bands and went to work with the clothespin, and off they came!
I must love to be mistreated, after all the trouble I love my Mosin even more.