Suggestions please...

I'm trying to remove the gas tube to subsequently remove the freefloat handguard, then the barrel.  It's the old style solid aluminum float tube, so the only place I can feasibly grab the gas tube is inside the upper, which doesn't give me much leverage or room to work.

I was going to just remove the FSB, but the instructions here suggest removing the gas tube BEFORE the FSB.  Catch 22, anyone?

Hardware details:
Bushmaster 16" V-Match upper w/ solid aluminum free-float handguard, fluted ban-era barrel, shaved FSB.

Thanks,
SC

If your upper was assembled by BM, and depending WHEN it was built, I believe they used 2-piece FF handguards now. There is a barrelnut- rear portion, and the handguard-front portion.
check to see if there is a fine line on the rear part of the FF handguard so you can Unscrew the handguard portion!!

Then this should give you full access to the FSB!!

Good Luck,
 Stuart

There does appear to be a small seam on the rear face where the handguard tube connects to the barrel nut portion, but I'm almost certain the two pieces don't come apart.  There wouldn't be enough room for threads without cutting through into the gas tube holes.

I'll just try removing the FSB as Tweak suggested.  

Thanks,
SC

The old Bushmaster V Match rifles have a 1 piece handguard. You first need to remove your gas block from the barrel. Then you can remove your handguard and your barrel if need be. if you try to remove the gas tube from the upper side, you will prob damage it and will need a new one.

moved.

Update:

I got the FSB off and disassembled the whole unit over the weekend.  Now it's off to a willing smith to thread the barrel and perhaps install a proper FSB.

Thanks for the help,
SC