Ar-15 Handguard Questions

Pops1085 · December 9, 2012, 12:55 AM

Hi I am pretty new to the world of the black rifle and I bought a UTG quad rail for about 40 bucks but I decided that I didn't like all that extra weight and have opted for a Magpul Moe handguard that is about half the price. Anyways is all this handguard changing going to hurt my rifle? I had to save up for a while and this gun's my baby. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

PS. I don't have the delta ring tool that my buddies are always talking about

Xfire68 · December 9, 2012, 01:11 AM

Trying to change the hand guard without the delta ring tool is a giant pain and you can mar your rifle.

WeedWacker · December 9, 2012, 05:44 AM

I'm pretty sure the only thing you would have to worry about would be a loose-er hand guard with all the compression of the delta ring spring, but even then that would take quite a few compressions. I don't have a tool either and I have swapped out hand guards just fine on two separate builds. Removal is harder than installation with the MOE hand guards in my experience, but if you have someone to give you an extra hand it's a breeze.

ETA: Smart choice ditching the UTG quadrail. It looks cool but you really can only use the bottom and side rails for a light and a grip.

9mm1033 · December 9, 2012, 11:16 AM

YouTube had a video of a guy using rubber handle channel lock pliers to remove his hand guards. Or, you could use tooth brushes. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELSsswumXrQ

scsov509 · December 9, 2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Trying to change the hand guard without the delta ring tool is a giant pain and you can mar your rifle.

I've changed or removed standard AR hand guards many, many hundreds of times and have never used nor wished I had a delta ring tool. It's not that difficult to do, and I've never had problems with plastic hand guards marring my rifles. How is it even possible to mar a metal rifle with a plastic MOE hand guard?

OP, I'd not worry about damaging your delta ring removing your hand guard. That's what it's designed for, and you're not going to wear it out taking the hand guards on and off even regularly. Worst case scenario, if you could find a way to wear out your delta ring, a brand new assmebly will cost you $10 and take less than 15 minutes to install.

Justice06RR · December 11, 2012, 05:26 AM

The handguard removal tool is usually only about $15. Its a handy device to have if you change handguards once in a while.

Pops1085 · December 13, 2012, 07:32 PM

Hey thanks I appreciate the responses. This Moe handguard is pretty sweet and that video was awesome! I actually lol'd when I saw they were just toothbrushes. But yea I am probably just being a little overly cautious with this gun haha it's hard to not be worried about your favorite toy

December 9, 2012, 12:55 AM	#1
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 369	Ar-15 Handguard Questions Hi I am pretty new to the world of the black rifle and I bought a UTG quad rail for about 40 bucks but I decided that I didn't like all that extra weight and have opted for a Magpul Moe handguard that is about half the price. Anyways is all this handguard changing going to hurt my rifle? I had to save up for a while and this gun's my baby. Any thoughts would be appreciated. PS. I don't have the delta ring tool that my buddies are always talking about

December 9, 2012, 01:11 AM	#2
Xfire68 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Location: Communist State of IL. Posts: 1,562	Trying to change the hand guard without the delta ring tool is a giant pain and you can mar your rifle. __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF Member

December 9, 2012, 05:44 AM	#3
WeedWacker Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2006 Location: Body: Clarkston, Washington. Soul: LaCrosse, Wisconsin Posts: 1,591	I'm pretty sure the only thing you would have to worry about would be a loose-er hand guard with all the compression of the delta ring spring, but even then that would take quite a few compressions. I don't have a tool either and I have swapped out hand guards just fine on two separate builds. Removal is harder than installation with the MOE hand guards in my experience, but if you have someone to give you an extra hand it's a breeze. ETA: Smart choice ditching the UTG quadrail. It looks cool but you really can only use the bottom and side rails for a light and a grip. __________________ - Jon Disequilibrium facilitates accommodation. 9mm vs .45 ACP? The answer is .429

December 9, 2012, 11:16 AM	#4
9mm1033 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: A big city with far too many cars and people. Posts: 932	YouTube had a video of a guy using rubber handle channel lock pliers to remove his hand guards. Or, you could use tooth brushes. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELSsswumXrQ __________________ No one reads or cares what is written in ones signature box. So I'm not writing anything worth reading or remembering.

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December 11, 2012, 05:26 AM	#6
Justice06RR Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,360	The handguard removal tool is usually only about $15. Its a handy device to have if you change handguards once in a while.

December 13, 2012, 07:32 PM	#7
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 369	Hey thanks I appreciate the responses. This Moe handguard is pretty sweet and that video was awesome! I actually lol'd when I saw they were just toothbrushes. But yea I am probably just being a little overly cautious with this gun haha it's hard to not be worried about your favorite toy