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Hey Guys,
New guy here. I'm going to refinish the stock on my M1 this weekend. I have it stripped down, but can't figure out how to get the clip off the rear guard? I have the guard off the barrel, I'm afraid I'll break it's so fragile. I saw a tool on line to remove it, but don't have one. Anyway I can do with with household tools?
Thanks !!!
:wave:
I would say wait then. Unless you have a pair of snap ring pliers that will fit. You still run the risk of cracking it.
Rifle stripped and inverted in my lap, I just take the blunt can opener tip on my GI Camillus USN pocketknife and engage it into one of the clip holes, pull out and down, clip unsnaps. To replace, engage front end, then snap the clip back on the rifle with flat of my hand. I haven't done a whole lot of them but I haven't cracked any yet... maybe have changed out 3 rifles. Your mileage may vary, as they say, caveat emptor; I'm sure Bill Hollinger is right and you SHOULD have a proper tool...
Before I got the pliers as Bill is suggesting, I used the "wire" method.
Attach wires to each of the holes in the clip. Attach one of the wires to something stationary (loading press) on your workbench. The other wire can be attached to a large screwdriver (about the middle) Drive the blade of the screwdriver into your workbench and pry the clip open and twist the handguard out. It's actually not that hard, but it does take a little time to get it set up. The tool is much easier.
I agree with Bill, the first time I tried to remove a upper handguard clip I was told to get the right tool, I thought I was smarter than everyone else and I didn't need to spend the money on a special tool so I got a big snap-ring pliers from work and proceeded to remove the clip my way, I broke a piece of wood off of the handguard. Moral of the story, I bought the special tool(a little late)and it works very nice.
Wait for the tool...
Getting it off is not too bad, but getting it back on requires great care. If it slips at all, the sharp edge of the clip very often chews out the thin wood at the edge of the slot where the tab tucks under the guard.
I would leave the clip on. I've refinished stocks without removing the clip with no problem.
Get the tool. Then spread the clip until it disengages from the hand guard, rotate the tool and clip 90', and slip it off. Reverse process to replace.
Bob
"...it's so fragile..." It's not. It's a type of spring. A wee screw driver or punch can be used to pull it out, then up and off, from one side.