I hope this helps. I think you are referring to the black aluminum tube/semi-permanent factory moderator correct? My moderators outer tube is no longer aluminum, but that does not matter for the pics, I refer to the entire unit as the first stage of moderation, kind of a reverse moderator that encases the barrel and extends back towards the rifles action. When she was new, I removed the moderator many times (easy to do) and yes I fired it. When you first remove the outer black tube of the moderator, you will expose a aluminum bar that surrounds the barrel and attaches the moderator to the frame, this raw aluminum shaft is held in by two screws at the base, which can be removed with a 1/8" hex key (allen wrench). Note: When removing the moderator you will likely experience a POI shift, and any time the moderator is removed and installed, a POI shift is not unusual, this is due to the factory aluminum moderator tubes not being cut square. And... did I mention the rifle is incredibly loud without the moderator! For your viewing pleasure I pulled the first stage moderator off my rifle and took a couple pics for you. I hope this helps, and if you have any additional requests please feel free to ask.