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9/29/2013 7:19:22 AM EDT
I would like to change the hand guard on my S.O.T.A. Arms upper. This is my first experience with hand guards.
I will probably buy a Troy free float-one piece BattleRail as the replacement.
I can't find any information on this round guard or removal procedure. It looks like I will need a "strap" wrench to unscrew the front half.
Has any one done this ?

https://sotaarms.com/components/com_jshopping/files/img_products/full_bb4fc699ed7b23f961ba057563dd7847.JPG

Thanks
9/29/2013 7:44:33 AM EDT
[#1]
I had a smooth handguard on my DPMS bull 20 upper, and Indeed I needed a strap wrench to remove it. this should do the trick.

I also needed a heat gun to remove it due to the metric shit-ton of Loctite DPMS slathered all over every thread.

......just don't forget to remove the gas tube before you try.
9/29/2013 7:54:10 AM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
I would like to change the hand guard on my S.O.T.A. Arms upper. This is my first experience with hand guards.
I will probably buy a Troy free float-one piece BattleRail as the replacement.
I can't find any information on this round guard or removal procedure. It looks like I will need a "strap" wrench to unscrew the front half.
Has any one done this ?

https://sotaarms.com/components/com_jshopping/files/img_products/full_bb4fc699ed7b23f961ba057563dd7847.JPG

Thanks
View Quote




Those tubes are usually a two piece design (barrel nut and tube)...you will need a Armorer's wrench to remove the barrel nut and possibly a strap wrench
to remove the tube portion...but before you do that you will need to a AR-15 upper receiver clamp/fixture mounted to a heavy duty table vise and remove the
gas block assembly first and then the free float tube and finally the barrel nut...Check to see if the Troy F/F rail comes with the needed hardware and/or barrel
nut as I believe some may use a proprietary barrel nut...

The Rigid brand works well as it is nearly unbreakable and won't mar the finish on the tube...I tried tried others and they will break fairly easily under pressure...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-3-1-2-in-No-2-Strap-Wrench-31340/100057622#.UkhN34aQmjQ

Good Luck.
9/29/2013 8:09:34 AM EDT
[#3]
Correct me if I am wrong here, but the OP will also need to take off the FH before being able to remove the gas block.
9/29/2013 8:25:00 AM EDT
[#4]
Thanks to all for your time and information. It is greatly appreciated !
9/29/2013 12:08:27 PM EDT
[#5]
It depends how the tube is designed if you can use a armorers wrench or a strap wrench.  The Hogue needs a strap wrench but the Model 1 style can be installed/removed with a armorers wrench.  There is a guy here that replaced the pins in a standard armorers wrench with longer pins.
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