One of the more 'dangerous' things that we do when detail stripping an M1 is to remove the Rear Handguard. There is not much that can actually hurt you aside from the clip hitting you in the eye, but we have it on good authority that it is very easy to crack the handguards.

The first step to remove the handguard is to obtain a small slotted (flat) screwdriver and file the tip down to a point. It is important that the screwdriver not be brittle as it will have a fair amount of tension put on it.

Of course always wear safety glasses.

The next step is to set the point of the filed screwdriver into one of the holes of the Rear Handguard Band. Select the hole on left hand side of the band because for some reason we have had more luck with this side.

Behind the pointed screwdriver place another object to protect the barrel and act as something of a fulcrum. Usually we just use another screwdriver.

Now lift (using a slightly prying action) the Handguard Band out and away from the barrel. This is a tricky process as many times the Rear Handguard will want to 'stick' to the Handguard Band and bend. Fearing breakage you may solicit help from someone else to hold the Handguard 'closed' or place a couple of tight 'zip-ties' on either side of the band to hold the guard closed.

Carefully 'walk' the band off the grip making sure that you do not gouge the wood underneath and that the grip does not not 'open up' and crack. When you have gotten it past where the spring tension keeps it in place, simply lift the Rear Handguard Band off of the Rear Handguard.

[Note: Again, it is very easy to crack the Rear Handguard during this process and we do not recommend it.]

Once the Rear Handguard Band has been removed most of the danger to the handguard is eliminated. At this point just rotate The Rear Handguard up and off of the rifle as shown below.