Remove handguards without removing gas cylinder

Is it possible to remove the handguards without removing the gas cylinder?

I am thinking of this removal process:

• Pry open the Rear Handguard
• Band/Clip
• Slide out the Rear Handguard
• Slide over the Lower Band
• Pull the Front Handguard back and up

I would to inspect the metal under the handguards for rust (i spilled some water there a few times years ago cleaning corrosive salts out of the barrel).

The gas cylinder is super tight, even with the special gas plug wrench and Gas Cylinder Wrench to prevent torquing the barrel. Then I read that a tight gas cylinder is good for accuracy and thought better of taking that out.

It's probably fine since I used hot water when I did salt flushing, but I want to get some RemOil on the barrel surface anyways just for peace of mind.

Wow are you kidding !!! You will do way more damage to the rifle .. Why can't you remove the gas cylinder the correct way ? There some thing very wrong if you can not take the gas plug out ! You need to take the gas plug and cylinder off to clean it of built up fouling .

Strip the rifle the correct way the book shows or you'll be having serious trouble. http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerd...der/FM23_5.pdf

take the rifle apart to so you don't clip or crack the hand guards.

I do know for a fact that you can remove the firing pin from the rifle and put it back without disassembly using the M10 tool

The rifle is designed to be field stripped, reassembled, and maintain its accuracy. Do it the right way. The great thing about guns is each one can only be disassembled and reassembled one way, or else they won't work. Plus, it's kind of fun going through the process and then knowing your M1 is cleaned, lubed and ready for the next shooting session or some downtime in the safe.

I have a tool which can remove the rear handguard - but there is always a risk of splitting the rear of it or cracking the front tip of it under the middle band and almost impossible with a handguard up against the face of the receiver - A risk without a reward

M1 Garand Lesson, Rear Hand Guard Removal - YouTube Rick B

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Originally Posted by Rick B

M1 Garand Lesson, Rear Hand Guard Removal - YouTube Rick B

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Very cool, thanks!

Wow, didn't think I could learn anything new about the M1... never say never!

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Originally Posted by bob seijas

never say never

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I only knew that because when I bought my LL back in '76 it had that tool in the butt. I had no internet or even FM to go to, just figure it out in the barracks on the weekend. I never understood people wanting to remove the center band and how the handguard would crack it otherwise, mine didn't. But then, I was careful because there were no replacement parts at the time.

Garand Clip Tool - YouTube

I tried the combo tool - the firing pin tip is a better fit

Rick's "trick" is very useful and the way to remove damaged rear handguards on the welded M1's (the gas screw and cylinder were welded to prevent removal) that were issued for ceremonial purposes after WW2. Very useful technique.