The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Anybody have any tips on removing the handguard without scratching the finish all to hell with the barrel bands ?

Look to the bottom of the band... It can be separated & spread. Always remove the cleaning rod first; Then, with a blunt flathead screwdriver or similar tool carefully spread the band allowing the tip of the tool to traverse along the cleaning rod channel. Less is more, take your time & don't spread the band anymore than you have to... Too much & you will bend it, too fast & you will slip & mar the finish on the stock. I have found that sitting on a stool with the bolt removed & verifying the gun is empty, place the butt of the stock on the floor, hold the stock firmly between the legs, place the tool in the band to lightly spread with one hand & grasp the band with the other hand slowly easing the band up & off.

Good Luck.

Rongo wrote:Look to the bottom of the band... It can be separated & spread. Always remove the cleaning rod first; Then, with a blunt flathead screwdriver or similar tool carefully spread the band allowing the tip of the tool to traverse along the cleaning rod channel. Less is more, take your time & don't spread the band anymore than you have to... Too much & you will bend it, too fast & you will slip & mar the finish on the stock. I have found that sitting on a stool with the bolt removed & verifying the gun is empty, place the butt of the stock on the floor, hold the stock firmly between the legs, place the tool in the band to lightly spread with one hand & grasp the band with the other hand slowly easing the band up & off.

Good Luck.

Classic description of how to safely do the job. I also use and oil of some sort to make them slide easier too! Bill

zeebill wrote:

Rongo wrote:Look to the bottom of the band... It can be separated & spread. Always remove the cleaning rod first; Then, with a blunt flathead screwdriver or similar tool carefully spread the band allowing the tip of the tool to traverse along the cleaning rod channel. Less is more, take your time & don't spread the band anymore than you have to... Too much & you will bend it, too fast & you will slip & mar the finish on the stock. I have found that sitting on a stool with the bolt removed & verifying the gun is empty, place the butt of the stock on the floor, hold the stock firmly between the legs, place the tool in the band to lightly spread with one hand & grasp the band with the other hand slowly easing the band up & off.

Good Luck.

Classic description of how to safely do the job. I also use and oil of some sort to make them slide easier too! Bill

Thanks a lot guys ! I have been using the handy dandy Mosin multitool to pry the bands and loosen them and aside from it being frustrating, it's worked with relative success. Unfortunately on one of my first mosins I bought, I marred the finish on the handguard pretty bad and every time I look at the thing I cringe because the rest of the stock is so immaculate. All well, you live and learn.

FR0STY54R wrote:Unfortunately on one of my first mosins I bought, I marred the finish on the handguard pretty bad and every time I look at the thing I cringe because the rest of the stock is so immaculate. All well, you live and learn.

Yup, did the same thing...

I have a beautiful 1940 round receiver Izhevsk on which I did the same thing. :(

Those little, tiny SnapOn flat blade screwdrivers work perfectly. TAKE YOUR TIME, DO NOT RUSH. Buy two.
Use the screw drivers to slowly wedge the separations apart until the band moves freely. Open only as much as needed for free movement. No more, no less. Don't be impatient. Pull bolt & cleaning rod. lay upside down on a carpeted surface with a couple of books to hold rifle upright. Perform above with care. Viola, no scratches.

John

I always apply a liberal wipe of lemon oil on the wood prior to sliding the bands up, works for me.

snap ring pliers

ParrotHead wrote:snap ring pliers

A good thought... But it can snap loose to easily. Give me a dedicated wedge to widen the gap any day.

I took an old screwdriver and made my own tool. It is crude because I can't see as well as I used to, but it does work.