AR question

4184 Views 36 Replies 20 Participants Last post by daytonaredeye, Feb 2, 2013

daytonaredeye

Discussion Starter · Jan 28, 2013

Mods, I posted here as it is not brand specific but a mechanical question. Please feel free to move "Other Long Arms" or whatever appropriate section if you need to.

I bought a quad rail forend for my AR this past week and was watching the youtube video for how to swap it out for the round, OEM piece. It mentions some specific AR tool (with its own SKU or part number) which looks like a large nutcracker which you use to squeeze the Delta ring to remove the OEM round forend. Can't you just squeeze the ring with your hands (or a vise)? Or do you really need that large nutcracker looking tong?

Oh, and after perusing all the local gun stores for this piece, I finally found the BlackHawk brand at walMart, of all places. It was $113 for the Carbine length (6.1") forend; saw plenty of the mid length and longer ones around town but the carbine length seems to have been the scarce part. Even the lady at WalMart didn't know what I was asking for when I pointed to it behind the counter; she said they had just gotten them in that day. I saw them for ~ $65-75 several months ago but never thought they would suddenly disappear from the shelves so darned quick.

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Texheim

· #2 · Jan 28, 2013

Daniel Defense OMEGA Rail install guide and pictorial review

daytonaredeye

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 28, 2013

Thanks. That looks pretty much like the parts in the youtube video I watched except this does not state any force needs to be applied to the Delta ring to allow for removal of the OEM forend.

YankeeGunner

· #4 · Jan 28, 2013

The tool is not needed, You can easily take the forearm of with just your two hands. I have replaced the forearm of a few AR's with out needing that tool.

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Reactions: 2

stallard

· #5 · Jan 28, 2013

With help from a friend I can pull the delta ring down without the tool but it is the only way to go when you are alone!

Reactions: 1

jimb1972

· #6 · Jan 28, 2013

I have never needed the tool, when I was in the Army everyone managed without the tool. It might make it easier, but is completely unnecessary.

Reactions: 2

daytonaredeye

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 28, 2013

YankeeGunner said:
The tool is not needed, You can easily take the forearm of with just your two hands. I have replaced the forearm of a few AR's with out needing that tool.

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stallard said:
With help from a friend I can pull the delta ring down without the tool but it is the only way to go when you are alone!

jimb1972 said:
I have never needed the tool, when I was in the Army everyone managed without the tool. It might make it easier, but is completely unnecessary.

Thank you guys for that. Sounded like, in the youtube video, they were trying to sell the "tong wrenches" by giving all the technical info about it . . . Will post updated pix when I get it installed. . . . . Now, to see if I can find a vertical forward grip (which is why I bought the danged thing to begin with) . . .

mingaa

· #8 · Jan 28, 2013

AR-15 and M16 Forearm Removal Tool Manufactured by ProMag (fastest pic I could find) - I can do it without it BUT not a bad tool to have - some days you'll wish you had 3 arms! This is the third. Paid $12 for mine a few years back.

Reactions: 2

daytonaredeye

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 28, 2013

mingaa said:
AR-15 and M16 Forearm Removal Tool Manufactured by ProMag (fastest pic I could find) - I can do it without it BUT not a bad tool to have - some days you'll wish you had 3 arms! This is the third. Paid $12 for mine a few years back.

Thanks mingaa. Couldn't help but notice that under the pic (on the Cheaper than Dirt) site, there is a notice that this item is no longer available. . . . . .

BW64

· #10 · Jan 28, 2013

I use a pair of extra long channel locks with rubber coated handles. Set the butt on the floor & put the jaws of the CL under the workbench top & use it as a lever!
Improvise & overcome!!!

BW

Reactions: 1

mingaa

· #11 · Jan 28, 2013

daytonaredeye said:
Thanks mingaa. Couldn't help but notice that under the pic (on the Cheaper than Dirt) site, there is a notice that this item is no longer available. . . . . .

That was really just for the pic - they are for sale all over the net. CTD is actually not really, erm, performing well in the current environment. Amazon.com: ProMag AR-15 / M16 Handguard Removal Delta Ring Wrench, Black: Sports & Outdoors - same part on Amazon $6.00! In Stock. A popular tool!

Reactions: 2

spdski

· #12 · Jan 28, 2013

I second the folks that recommended doing this with a friend (or at least with a good vise holding the rifle)!! I really struggled trying to do it by myself without the tool on my first AR and I am a strong guy.

good luck with your new AR!!

Reactions: 2

GunsandNoses

· #13 · Jan 28, 2013 (Edited)

I have used 2 wooden dowels to pinch the ring and slide it down while "flicking" the round guard off with my thumb.

The tool makes it a breeze.

Edited to add: Reinstalling the hand guard with the dowels required 2 people.

Reactions: 1

daytonaredeye

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 28, 2013

mingaa said:
That was really just for the pic - they are for sale all over the net. CTD is actually not really, erm, performing well in the current environment. Amazon.com: ProMag AR-15 / M16 Handguard Removal Delta Ring Wrench, Black: Sports & Outdoors - same part on Amazon $6.00! In Stock. A popular tool!

Ya; was just making a comment about CTD - I know they are on the short list (to be PC about the whole thing) for most all firearms folk.

And, looks like Amazon has all the other rail thingys available too!!!

Reactions: 1

YankeeGunner

· #15 · Jan 28, 2013

The way I do it, sitting down I put the stock against my waist or on the floor. I use both hands to pull down the ring, I then use one hand to hold the ring down and the other hand to remove the bottom forearm. I repeat the process to remove the top. I am sure the tool makes it easier but I never felt the need to buy one.

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Reactions: 1

mwj999

· #16 · Jan 28, 2013

daytonaredeye said:
Thanks mingaa. Couldn't help but notice that under the pic (on the Cheaper than Dirt) site, there is a notice that this item is no longer available. . . . . .

You can get one from Amazon. When I was young and the handguard spring on my issue M-16A1 was old, I could easily remove the triangular handguards without tools. Now I'm just an old fart who needs a tool to remove the round handguards from his commercial AR.

Oops! Missed mingaa's Amazon link above. It's a better deal.

Reactions: 1

Stengun

· #17 · Jan 29, 2013

Howdy mwj999

mwj999 said:
You can get one from Amazon. When I was young and the handguard spring on my issue M-16A1 was old, I could easily remove the triangular handguards without tools. Now I'm just an old fart who needs a tool to remove the round handguards from his commercial AR.

Oops! Missed mingaa's Amazon link above. It's a better deal.

Triangular handguards?

Gee, those were on the old M-16 and M-16A1s......you are an old fart!

Oh, wait....... My first M-16A1 had triangular handguards.

Never mind.

Paul

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Reactions: 1

texastaurusguy

· #18 · Jan 29, 2013

Academy sells Delta tools for $15 or so, and I saw them at Cabelas for about $20. Buy one, they're worth having around.

Wingshot

· #19 · Jan 29, 2013

When I swapped mine out (when I still had one) I did it by hand. A helper would make it easier but not at all a tough job. Just make sure the butt stock is secured.

jspdrcrmach5

· #20 · Jan 29, 2013

I've never needed the tool or a helper to remove an AR15 handguard, I usually just sit at the kitchen table with a folded up towel on the edge of the table in front of Me, while holding the rifle against My pelvis with the parting line of the handguard facing Me, I pull down on the delta ring and tap the handguard against the towel and it splits open at the delta ring end for removal.
Reinstallation is a little tricky but if You are changing out to a quad rail it's usually pretty easy.

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