It is PERFECTLY okay.If it weren't like that it wouldn't fit.Take a look at where the grooves on the barrel are and you'll see whence I speak.

I WOULD advise that you get the tool to spread it though and be VERY careful when you press it on too.I would recommend that you slide it on the barrel with the lower band REMOVED and then line it up and gently push the lower band over the front of the rear handguard and once it's done and aligned etc drive the retaining pin through the hole in the lower band AFTER you have made sure that it too is properly aligned.

I use a nut pick to remove the handguard IF I don't want to remove the lower band.Just GENTLY lever it off using the top of the op-rod as your fulcrum and then do the left side too CAREFULLY as the rears are kinda flimsy.

Cheers,

JR