The general thought is that if you remove the top hand guard by pulling it off, you'll crack the wood or worse. The usual procedure is to remove the rear sight and take the rifle out of the stock group. Slide the hand guard forward until it comes clear. The spring clips may "Allow" you to take it off straight up, but that might not be healthy. Regardless, the rear sight has to come off. Most will use a quarter in the rear clip and nickel in the front clip while they're off the rifle too...saves on torqueing the wood...if your rear screw won't come free, maybe a bit of assistance is in order... I've used a hardened screwdriver bit of proper size and put it in the slot, smack it like a chisel with a small hammer and it will break the hold of the screw. Straight down on the screw, understand? Just the bit. Then make sure you use the correct size to remove it. A second guy to hold it all sometimes helps.