[hot_shot under fire]

Hey everyone,

I recently purchased a LaRue 7.0" handguard for my stock KA M4. After receiving it and a few other parts in the mail earlier today I removed the original handguard/front sight post/mock gas tube/flash hider and went to install the LaRue handguard. I noticed that I had to remove the D-ring and barrel nut in order to accomplish this, but I ran into some problems.

After attempting to twist the barrel nut off for a good hour or so I gave up and cut off the D-ring. I am now wondering how to go about cutting off the barrel nut as I see no other "safe" way to remove the barrel nut without cracking my upper receiver.



There is a picture of the barrel nut on the KA M4.

So, how should I go about removing the barrel nut without destroying the threads on the receiver? Can anybody advise me of where I should cut, and what to look for so I don't screw up the underlying threads?

Thanks to any help that can be offered in advance,

Jake