How important is it to have the handguard ferrule pinned to the handguard/gas tube? The handguard ferrule itself is in place as is the handguard and the gas tube is locked in as it is supposed to be. However, there is not a pin holding the handguard ferrule to the gas tube. I would just as soon not pin it/leave the pin out so that I have have easier/quicker access to the underneath of the handguard for cleaning the outside of the gas tube. The only danger I can imagine is losing the handguard ferrule when the gun is apart for cleaning. Otherwise, the pin seems to serve no other purpose than holding the handguard ferrule in place.