Replacing M44 barrel bands

[TooFewGuns]

This is my first time posting here although I am on a daily basis snooping here. Anyways I purchased a sporterized M44 but I want to restore it to its original stock which came with the purchase. Ima keep the brass stacker mount but I wanna get rid of the synthetic stock. I bled out the stock and when I was about to put the stock on I realized that even if I removed the front sight I still had to get it over the bayonet atatchment. So what did I do, I spread the barrel band until it went over the barrel. As you should assume, they are a lil too loose and I was thinking that if I heat up the barrel band I can "thighten" them. Is there a better way to put them back on and should I order new bands? I'm still a noob so all recomendations are welcome.

[OniKoroshi]

You could take the bayo lug out by drifting the pins out (they are tapered iirc) or you can heat the band and bend it back into shape Not something I would do personally.