I don't wanna sound like a fag, but....Now with PICS!

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I don't wanna sound like a fag, but....Now with PICS!

Posted: 10/26/2004 10:36:26 PM EDT

Wooooo Hooooo, I just assembled my first lower. I know some of you have done it many times, but this is my first. No scratches and the only hard part was the front pivot assembly. Believe it or not I used 2 grocery store cards to do it since I didn't have the actual tool. My advice would be to use vise grips instead of roll pin punches, the vice grips worked great.

Next up...a CMMG UPPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: 10/26/2004 10:43:41 PM EDT

[#1]

Congrats...and no, you don't sound like a fA6.

Posted: 10/26/2004 11:11:53 PM EDT

[#2]

It is liberating, isn't it!

Go forth and build! (now I sound limp!)

MT

Posted: 10/26/2004 11:49:05 PM EDT

[#3]

to sound like a fag would be announcing your first hot pink AR lower that you made all by yourself

Congratulations!

Posted: 10/27/2004 12:05:26 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
since I didn't have the actual tool.

Tool? they make a tool for that? OK, if you had the tool then you're hetersexually challenged. Since you had to use "cards"

to install it I'm calling

Posted: 10/27/2004 12:35:00 AM EDT

[#5]

Congratulations.

Sounds straight to me!

Posted: 10/27/2004 1:39:49 AM EDT

[#6]

I built my 6th one yesterday. It says Colt AR-15 9mm carbine on it.

Posted: 10/27/2004 4:43:38 AM EDT

[#7]

I build two last night also. I haven't built one in a few years and it went pretty good, even without my good roll pin punches.

And no I don't need anytools to do the front pivot pin, just a steady hand.

Posted: 10/27/2004 5:03:02 AM EDT

[#8]

Front pivot pin - use a razor blade to hold down the detent. Just slide the pivot pin over the razor blade. I've never lost a spring/detent with this method.

Congrats on the lower. You WILL build many more.

Posted: 10/27/2004 5:10:41 AM EDT

[#9]

Great Job guy!

Hey, as for the front pin and detent, get ahold of Krista over at RBPRECISION and get one of their handy tools. I think mine was around $12 and you only need one try on installing that part! Just put together a few more for you and others, and this tool quickly pays for itself!!

Oh, and last I knew Fags didn't shoot a REAL MAN's Rifle!
Keep on building!

heavy.gif

Posted: 10/27/2004 5:46:59 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
to sound like a fag would be announcing your first hot pink AR lower that you made all by yourself

Congratulations!

Just for that, I may just send mine to brass for him to finish it in hot pink

ETA: My wife tells me I'm not a fag.

Posted: 10/27/2004 6:20:56 AM EDT

[#11]

I don't know how anybody gets the front pivot assembly together with just there hands. I used the card just like the razor blade idea, I held the spring and detent flush using the card while I slid the pivot pin on then pulled out the card after I got it started. I almost lost the detent twice before I figured out this way of doing it. Maybe it gets easier with practice.

All in all though, I'd say building a lower is pretty easy. Anybody not sure yet, go get a lower and build!

Thanks to Falarak for the write up.

Posted: 10/27/2004 6:29:51 AM EDT

[#12]

Congrats! Sounds great!

Damn there is a LOT of black rifle building going on. Great to see!

When ya gonna shoot that thing????

Posted: 10/27/2004 8:04:23 AM EDT

[#13]

I should get the upper in a few weeks and then on to shooting. It used to seem like not that many people had AR's, but it starting to look lik almost everybody has one. Well at least on this site.

Posted: 10/27/2004 10:22:30 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
I don't know how anybody gets the front pivot assembly together with just there hands.

it's simple much simpler than using a tool.

First, run a drill bit of the correct size into the detent spring hole. This checks for size, depth, and and residue from the milling, bead blasting and anodizing processes. Remove the bit.

Then, insert the pivot pin into the lower and check its fit. Make sure that the pin fully closes and mates cleanly with the lower. Remove the pin.

Now, insert the detent spring into the tunnel. Make sure that the end of the spring is recessed in the tunnel. If it's not you can clip some coils to make it so. Seat the detent on top of the spring. Some will use a daub of grease to glue the detent to the spring. Others will perform this operation inside a large clear plastic (ZipLock) bag.

Start the pivot pin into the hole with the detent groove facing forward. Use the pin to push the detent into the tunnel. Once the pin is started in the near boss rotate it so the detent groove faces to the rear.

Posted: 10/27/2004 11:16:31 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Front pivot pin - use a razor blade to hold down the detent. Just slide the pivot pin over the razor blade. I've never lost a spring/detent with this method.

Congrats on the lower. You WILL build many more.

OK, this is the best advice I've read in years!!!!

I use a towel on the work bench that I tack on the wall with push pins so that when the detent goes flying, it will hit the towel and I can find it easily!!! Razor blade huh? That will be on the agenda for the next build!!!!

Posted: 10/28/2004 3:59:52 AM EDT

[#16]

The buffer tube spring retainer pin did the trick for me. It fits snugly into the pivot pin holes. Insert it from the opposite end from the spring hole, depress the detent back with something (I used a small hex key), nudge the btsrp up to hold the detent pin in place. Take the pivot pin, hold it firmly, and slide it into the hole pushing out the btsrp on the way. Click! Easy as pie.

Posted: 10/28/2004 4:04:16 AM EDT

[#17]

starsil9, I learned that trick right here. I'm just passing it on.

Posted: 10/28/2004 4:52:10 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Razor blade huh? That will be on the agenda for the next build!!!!

Dont cut your finger off when it slips!

Posted: 10/28/2004 4:55:50 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Use the pin to push the detent into the tunnel.

After my first missle launch, I thought this was only common sense.

Posted: 10/28/2004 6:14:44 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I don't know how anybody gets the front pivot assembly together with just there hands.

it's simple much simpler than using a tool.

First, run a drill bit of the correct size into the detent spring hole. This checks for size, depth, and and residue from the milling, bead blasting and anodizing processes. Remove the bit.

Then, insert the pivot pin into the lower and check its fit. Make sure that the pin fully closes and mates cleanly with the lower. Remove the pin.

Now, insert the detent spring into the tunnel. Make sure that the end of the spring is recessed in the tunnel. If it's not you can clip some coils to make it so. Seat the detent on top of the spring. Some will use a daub of grease to glue the detent to the spring. Others will perform this operation inside a large clear plastic (ZipLock) bag.

Start the pivot pin into the hole with the detent groove facing forward. Use the pin to push the detent into the tunnel. Once the pin is started in the near boss rotate it so the detent groove faces to the rear.

Thanks for the advice. I'll do that when I build my next one. I have it all put together I was just saying that the front pivot pin was a pain. I guess it wouldn't have been if I read this first.

Posted: 10/28/2004 11:57:12 AM EDT

[#21]

just takes practice

Posted: 10/28/2004 12:37:27 PM EDT

[#22]

I need another rifle like I need another hole in my head. But, I am ansy as hell for my first stripped lower to arrive. I think that I need to stop reading ARFCOM for a while. Reading these posts about building is much like being very hungry and watching other people eat.

BTW, congrats on successfully assembling your lower