SR762 handguards

[gabbyone]

Does anyone know why the handguards on the SR762 are called out on the parts list as "must be factory fitted."
Seems kind of weird, as on almost any AR type rifle, the handguards would not require any kind of special treatment when removing or installing.

 

[SteelShooter]

Has to do with being piston driven. Not free floated, and OP rod runs thru it to bolt carrier group. Where piston is and upper and hand guard are attached to each other. Just like SR-556.

 

[instructor]

Making an assumption here, but if the 762 is like the 556 the hand guards can be removed, but requires removal of securing pins both at the gas block and the rear of the hand guard, remove flash hider, gas block and guard slide forward to remove. There are a couple of videos "out there" showing proper removal of everything but the barrel from the upper receiver. Other than some sort of damage that would occur to the upper, really no reason to take apart and Ruger discourages doing it. Claim that op rod system will outlast the barrel with no service required. Again, assuming the two rifles are the same system, the overall unit is a stout one and other than routine cleaning of the gas piston don't expect any problems.