Help with AR15 handguard

[iefstath]

I've got a free-floating aluminum quad rail handguard on a factory Wilson Combat AR that was factory built in the early 2000s. The rail has no markings and I can't figure out how to remove it, the knurled area at the base doesn't seem to slide back or rotate.

Wilson can't tell me the manufacturer

Before I cut it off with a grinder z just checking to see if anyone here may know who makes it or how it's supposed to be removed.

Thanks

 

[50wt]

Looks like it's a threaded handguard with a knurled locking ring.

 

[413guy]

Looks like it's a threaded handguard with a knurled locking ring.

this. that knurled ring is there to give something to grab traction on. Spin it left. it may require some force if locktited from the factory at all.

 

[MAJoe]

Throw a strap wrench on it if it’s too tight to grab by hand. If you don’t care about it, pipe wrench.

 

[1903Collector]

If they used red loctite you may need to heat it up, also it would be advisable to have a receiver block/vise to hold it securely.

 

[413guy]

@iefstath
what's the outcome?

 

[Golddiggie]

I have a large pipe wrench that I've used to remove stubborn things from AR's before. Amazing what a longer handle does to get things to break loose.

 

[55_grain]

As other have said, it's threaded on and you'll need a strap wrench. It would be good to have a upper receiver clamp in a vice, because that's where your force ends up. You'll also need to remove the muzzle brake and the pin to get the front sight post office to slide the handguard off once you get it unscrewed. How badly do you want to change it out?

If you cut it off with a grinder, you'll still need to do all the steps above to get the new delta ring installed for the new handguard!

 

[iefstath]

Whelp, I got the handguard off ... There was a ton of thread lock.

And I got the sight post off

But...it seems the muzzle break was somehow either blind pinned and/or welded on. It twisted about 4 times with a 10" wrench and then just spun. Completely stripped out all but 3 threads. I'm going to see if I can get new threads cut but I've got an uncomfortable feeling I just bought a new barrel.

 

[Golddiggie]

Yup, those barrel muzzle threads are BONED! Since material was removed with the threads, up you won't be able to get new 1/2-28 threads cut.
Hope it wasn't an expensive barrel.
If it's a 16" barrel, or longer, you could get it turned and new threads cut further back. If it ends up under 16", then you'll need to pin and weld the new muzzle devices on, or go the SBR route.

 

[PatMcD]

Hacksaw the muzzle threads off, then do a junkyard crown on it and go shoot.
Or, replace the barrel.