Build of AR-15 lower and new tips and tools.

[Springfield_1911SS]

I built my first lower this week. I just wanted to share a few tips/tool ideas.

Fist of all I bought the pivot pin detent install tool from brownells. It is a "L" shaped tool with a small hole in it. The tool is inserted in the holes in the receiver that the pivot pin goes in. The small hole is aligned with the hole in the receiver for the spring and detent, the spring and detent are inserted in and the tool is rotated to hold the detent in place. Then the pivot pin is used to push out the tool, and locks into place. If any one has used this tool it is not perfect. I would have the detent pop out when the pin was inserted. What I ended up doing was cutting about a 3/8" piece of McDonalds straw and using that as a sleeve that was half on the pin and half on the tool then pushed the pin through the straw and receiver. Then cut away the straw.

The next thing that helped was a tool that we made to help install the bolt catch pin. This part of the build was one of the parts that the receiver was at most risk of being scratched. We made a tool that was basically a punch for getting the pin started. We took a piece of round stock about 6" long and 3/8" in diameter. We drilled a 1/8" hole in the top of the round part a little off to one side. The is only drilled slightly less than a 1/4" deep. We then started the pin in the hole best we could with our fingers. Then took the tool we made and used it as a punch. The reason for this is that the hammer hitting the punch was happening off of the receiver. and that since the punch was over the pin it would not slip and scratch the finish. Then when the punch was getting close we used a normal pin punch but at this point the pin was through the first hole and the bolt catch and on its was through the other hole.

Special thanks to my Dad for all his help.

 

[GLOCK45GUY]

Good thinking. You could put some shrink tubing on the shaft of your tool to further protect the finish.

I used small pliers with heat shrink tubing on the jaws to "press" that pin in.

 

[Riss]

Did the "press it in with slip joint pliers" on the trigger guard pin myself. One slip of the hammer and that little tab is toast. That pin starter is similar to one sold at Brownells, and a very good make it yourself better than store bought, idea. There was a thread with tools like that around here somewhere.

 

[Onmilo]

Here is another trick for using the pivot pin detent installer tool.
Put a fair size dollop of grease on the detent before inserting it in the hole,
carefully pull the tool back until the solid edge catches the detent and holds it depressed into the hole while inserting the pivot pin.
If your timing is right you then pull the pivot detent tool back while inserting the pivot pin an the same rate of speed.
The dollpo of grease will slow the forward momentum of the pivot pin detent just enough to get the pivot pin in place, capturing the detent.

You may want to file a small flat on the edge of your roll pin holder that goes against the side of the receiver.
This will minimize the possibility of gouging the wall of the receiver as you drive the pin.
The tape was an excellent choice for further minimizing damage to the receiver wall finish.

 

[3pairs12]

or packin tape on the reciever also helps to protect from damage. For next build I WILL GET DETENT TOOL. Save some time scouring the garage floor and buying more detents anyway.

 

[printcraft]

built a lower last night

The drilled stock trick would have come in handy.
Masking tape came in handy.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

For the pivot pin, a cheap 1/4" Clevis pin will work as well as any special tool. Line up one of the holes in the Clevis pin with the detent "well", push the spring & detent through the hole, then turn the Clevis pin to hold it. Push the Clevis pin out using the pivot pin, and it's done.

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(rt3bvq45imdidu45rjoyw055)/productdetails.aspx?sku=998020594&source=GoogleBase

Another fine tool is a magnet-on-a-stick, found in any auto parts store. Great for sweeping for any detents, springs, that may have escaped.

 

[Maelstrom]

O.K. I bought a clevis pin for about a dollar at Home Depot. Thanks for making we feel like a retard after fighting with this thing on my first build.

Easily the best dollar I've ever spent!