I left mine in (on both my .308 and 5.45) and am glad I did. I did cut them off so they are flush with the receiver when fully engaged. I also smoothed/rounded it so it is less noticable when not engaged. To be honest, just fooling around with the gun I do notice it, but never feel it when running drills. I like having a real BHO on my guns, even one that has to be engaged manually. I can't remember exactly but think I installed everything and reached in with a sharp pick and got the spring tail up over the back of the BHO. To cut it off, I removed the grip, engaged the BHO, marked it wi