AR Sponsor
Posted: 2/6/2009 10:13:33 AM EDT
|
Hi all,
Two questions regarding the assembly of an AR15 lower. My parts kit came today, yee haw. 1) What is the best way to protect the lower during assembly...as in tape? What tape would protect the finish during installation without marring the receiver finish when I take it off? 2) I have seen it assembled both ways––-using a hammer and punch and also using a pair of channel lock pliars. Which method do you guys recommend or like best? Thanks, Michael |
|
The place where I see the most damage occur is right at the bolt catch, regardless of whether or not you use the punch of a set of pliars, I'd use masking and electrical tape generously.
If you use pliars, I'd put a peice of electical tape large enough to cover both sides of the ears of the bolt catch slot, as often times the pliars teeth will often mar the finish - even if they are wrapped in electrical tape themselves. If I were you, I'd use the roll pin starter kit sold by adco, and then use their flat bolt catch roll pin punch. It makes the job a lot easier but it costs some money. |
|
Quoted:
I just put together my first lower. Didn't use any tape, and used a brass punch and hammer set I got from Brownells. Any brass residue easily wiped off. http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/jcrowl/IMG_1705.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b328/jcrowl/IMG_1706.jpg What kind of hammer is that? |
|
Electrical tape should work fine. Go slow, rest it on something solid and you shouldn't have a problem. No need to hammer away like a crazy man!
Make sure you rest the rear trigger guard "ear" so you don't pop it off and break it when hammering in the trigger guard pin. That pin has been the only hard part of building lowers for me. |
|
Take your time and be careful. Especially with the trigger guard roll pin. Many a WECSOG Certificate has came from broken trigger guard ears.
Except for the trigger guard pin, I also use a brass hammer to tap in the roll pins. But first I clean and smooth the inside of the cylinder where roll pins, detents, solid pins, etc. go with an appropriately sized drill bit rotating the bit with my fingers to make sure the part will slide in properly. For the trigger guard roll pin I use a small C-clamp with cardboard to protect the finish. MHO, YMMV, etc. Best of luck with your build, and enjoy many good times with the AR! |
AR Sponsor