How do you properly secure a barrel in a vise.

I tried to remove the shroud on my Impact M3. I've done it before and it simply requires rotating the shroud in a counter clockwise manner. This time it unscrewed the transfer port connections to the outer sleeve of the barrel. I cant get a good grip on that sleeve to rotate off the shroud now. I know there is no locktite. I have a vice with flat "jaws", how can I use this to safely grip the exterior of the barrel housing so I can rotate the shroud off without damaging the barrel? It is not as robust as other barrels I have seen. Or is there another technique to do this? Thanks.
 
I went to Harbor Fright and pickup the CENTRAL FORGE 2-3/4 in. Articulated Vacuum Vise for $18. I used it to change out all my liner to heavy with the Carbon Fiber Liner Sleeve. Wrap the clapping surface area with electrical tape for better grip.

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Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I ordered a set of rubber vice inserts, and a set of hard plastic vice inserts with a notch and the they worked. Still wrapped the outer barrel with a rubbery material and just slowly tightened until it allowed me to remove the shroud. Was having some accuracy issues and after I took things apart, cleaned the barrel, worked on properly reassembling the liner/transfer port end/grab nut/CF sleeve/shroud/moderator, I got my accuracy back and maybe a bit more. Mission accomplished!!!

Spent almost as much as the harbor freight vice shown above which looks really good.