AR15: Installing / Removing a foam pad on buffer tube?

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

ok, then, guess it "didn't take" the first time.

Question is:

On these tightly-fitting foam tube cheekpieces that are around an Ace type tubular stock - how do you get them on and off? Do you have to inject lube like soap underneath them? Or do you just swap out the whole tube itself? I can't get the rest of the buttstock off until I get the foam thing off. What am I missing?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Bump to the top since my question has now been posted.

 

[highorder]

Use an air hose! We used to use compressed air to put grips on bicycle handlebars. It works really well, and you can forget the lube, etc.

If you have no compressed air, a can of the cheapest, strongest hold hairspray will do the trick. Spray the tube, and slide the foam on. Don't touch it for 30 minutes. By then, the carrier has evaporated, and the hairspray hold has set in.

 

[BSlacker]

Use alcohol just pour it down the middle and over the tube and quickly slip the foam over the tube. Set the tube in a warm spot for a little while to let the alcohol evap.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Getting off the same way as getting on?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

FYI, for anyone in the same boat in the future, I figured out on my own after experimenting that:

These:

Use alcohol

Use an air hose

are not the correct answers.


But this:

Or do you just swap out the whole tube itself? [yes]

IS the correct answer.

Or at least the much BETTER answer. Thanks.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Update:

I was wrong, and y'all were right! One of the buffer tubes wouldn't twist out, so I couldn't just do the easy switch tubes routine.

So the answer ended up being this:

1. For taking OFF, *soap*. Lifted edges of foam, got one finger under to lift. Squirted dial hand soap (antibacterial but I don't think that matters) into each end, on both sides, then "pumped" my index finger in and out to spread the soap down into the middle, from each end, coating the tube with soap. Came right off.

2. Putting ON - this is where just water or alcohol will work. I used alcohol for faster drying. But I couldn't get enough alcohol down underneath to make it slip off easily, so used the soap instead.