I've been thinking about switching out the handguards and started reading material about doing it myself. For the hell of it, I tried to take off my handguards anyway without any replacement parts yet. I came to the conclusion that I cannot without removing the front sight post. Hopefully I'm wrong and one of you guys can tell me what the heck that ring is. I have to twist that ring all the way loose. Then the handguard itself can twist, but is stopped short by the FSP.
 
I'm looking to one day buy vltor's CASV-EL handguard. Which as far as I can tell split into two pieces so there's no threads and twisting involved.
 

 
 
 

 
Thanks guys!

I'll take a stab, however, and AR-15 person I am not.

If the hand guard unscrews, I think you have a free float hand guard, so front sight removal is a must.  Front sight is also the gas block, and I have heard of problems of getting it sealed good after removal.  I think free float is the better more accurate way to go, but dis-assembly is a PITA.

Here is a vid, of something similar.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=10343/learn/Installing_A_Free_Float_Handguard

Brownells also has a whole bunch of other AR-15 related techtips.

Dunno if that will help.

I think that pretty much tells me what I needed to know. Thanks a lot! 

If you need help let me know, Ive got the tools and work for free.

Dregs - I was thinking about doing the same for one of my old training AR's.  VLTOR is having a close out sell on the one I was looking at.


Link attached:http://www.vltorstore.com/products/The-CASV%252dELX.html


I think you just have to pop out the forward sling and attached the hand guard.

Wow great price! About $90 cheaper for that version without the full rails. Wish I had the money right now!