I just got a new stainless 24" varmint AR and the gas block does not have pins from the side but it has 2 set screws on the bottom is that how you would remove it.Also the handguard is two peice can i just unscrew the handguard and the barrel nut will stay on the upper the and is it right or left hand threads.

yes you are correct, the two set screws hold the gas block in place.

Hand gaurd: If it is a free float type; will be threaded to the barrel nut about 1.5 inches in front of the upper, the barrel nut should be torqued up to spec and should not come off by hand, the foward section of the hand gaurd should unscrew from it leaving the barrel nut behind, on all I have seen it is a right hand thread, if it is a factory build, it may be tight so go easy so as not to mark your rifle's finish.

Thanks!!!