LOWER BAND PROBLEM

When reinstalling the lower band on a nearly mint early No. 4, the band was so springy and stiff that the two lug ends would not come together easily to allow the bolt to line up (with the the sling swivel on the bolt.) The bolt chewed up the threads. I was very careful to not damage the wood or metal in the vice (vise) and used padding. I used a proper gunsmithing screwdriver of the right size. I tried wedging just the band closed in the vice. No luck. I was conscious that too much pressure on the screwdriver could cause slippage and a nasty gash in my other hand (so I wore a heavy work glove on that hand), or worse, it could cause a gash in the wood or blued metal. Note this band came off of this particular rifle so I know that it fits.

The very next morning a friend dropped by the gun show, pulled out a plastic bag with a lower band and screw. Different manufacturer but he had the exact same problem on a No. 4 of his!

The EME manuals do not mention a special technique. After fore-end has been attached (section 51),
"REPLACING THE HANDGUARDS
58. Place the front and rear handguards in position on the barrel, spring the lower band round them and round the fore-end, with the lugs downward, position the front sling swivel between the lugs, and replace and tighten the lower band screw." (Ref: EO 30-65FC-2 RCAF 24 OCT 51)
[Not mentioned by the above: The screw comes in from the left side of the rifle. and the swivel angles towards the butt.]

Other than grabbing another band out of the parts bin, is there an armourer's trick to squeezing the lower band's lugs together in a way that will not damage the wood or metal and also leave room to have the screwdriver access the slot for turning?

UPPER BAND TIP
I did discover a little trick for reinstalling the upper non-hinged band as I hated the idea of scratching the metal. I unscrewed to foresight guard and slid it off. I wedged the two lug ends of the stiff upper band open a little bit using the wide blade screwdriver that I use to remove my butt stock bolts. It then slid on easily and gently. Screwdriver blade sides were each resting against the lugs of the band. You do not have to do this, but it is an option to reduce scratches.
Information
Warning: This is a relatively older thread
This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.