How to Change Your AR Handguard

What’s the deal with Handguards? How to change your handguard today.

Have you ever gone out and bought yourself a new AR15 or AR10 and were just so pumped to shoot that bad boy? I know we all have. Before you can do that, you have to admire the beauty that is your favorite new toy. So you open the box and only get a glimpse of the pretty thing before your eye is drawn to the bulky, kind-of bland looking handguard that came on it. Let me stop you before your manly (or womanly) eyes fill up with pesky tears. Want to know how to change your handguard. All hope is not lost. We’re going to show you how to fix this in this step-by-step breakdown on how to change your handguard.

Step 1: Get yourself a Handguard that Will Fit.

There are two types of AR rifles.

Direct Impingement / Gas System
Piston Operated System

There are differences between those two that will take up a whole other Blog, but what you need to know for changing the handguard is whether or not your new handguard will fit. Here’s how to tell.

The Piston system has a piston connected to the gas block that is wider than the DI’s gas tube. So make sure your new handguard has enough clearance to deal with that (for example: the Magpul [MAG424] MOE M-LOK Handguard).

*Our Top-5 Handguards Blog is coming Soon*

Step 2: Remove the Old Handguard.

This step is very simple. First locate the Delta Ring between the receiver and the handguard.

Once you’ve got a hold of the delta ring, you’ll want to pull that backwards toward the receiver and hold because it’s spring-loaded. Tapco makes a tool for this, but the easiest way we’ve found is to place the receiver/buttstock into your chest, or onto a table, and pull on the ring. Once you’ve got the ring down, pull off each side of the handguard separately starting with the bottom half (you’ll want to grab and pull the handguard from close to the delta ring).

Step 3: Put on the New Handguard.

First, you’ll want to pull back the delta ring again (however you chose to do it). Then you’ll put on the TOP piece first by lining up the groves on the Handguard and the ring beside the gas block on the rifle.

Now, while pulling back on the delta ring, install the top half and push it down all the way. If you release the delta ring, it should snap into place over the handguard. If not, realign and try again.

Then, you’ll pull back on the delta ring one more time and install the bottom half of the handguard, sliding it into place with the top half and pushing down all the way.

Finally, release the delta ring and BOOM. You’ve given you’re pretty rifle a whole new look, and given yourself a better handle of the rifle.

So what now?

Now that you’ve put a snazzy new handguard on your rifle, you’re good to go hit up the range. The Magpul MOE that we used is just one of many different options available to you, so find the best fit for you and have a blast.

If you need extra help, watch the video below for a detailed step-by-step handguard changing.