Play in buttstock

[mljdeckard]

Ok, so I finally got around to assembling my AR-10 lower, and there is audible jiggle between the buttstock and the lower. (Regular A-2 style stock.) I torqued the screw in all the way, the tube is just behind the buffer retainer pin without touching it, is there more I can do to tighten it up? (Or should I just get a Magpul adjustable replacement?)

 

[jdh]

Does the buffer tube Keep the buffer retainer pin in place or does it pop up/out?

If it pops out the tube is not in far enough. The buffer tube can go over the base of the retainer pin a little over 1/3 and everything work properly. Give the tube a turn of two and try again.

 

[mljdeckard]

It holds it in, it's pretty close to the tip of the pin.

 

[Al Thompson]

I have the same issue with one of my AR-15s using an M16A1 stock. Have not worked on the rifle yet. I'm thinking that a washer may be needed to tighten things up. My stock retention screw is tight, but there's a small amount of wobble present.

 

[Tirod]

I've read this elsewhere, the tube won't tighten up. Likely it's threaded a bit too much and won't bear on the back of the lower.

One cure is to tighten it all the way, mark the location of the buffer pin, and grind a notch in the tube to let it pop out. Or, exchange the tube for another and try it out, it may work fine.

What you have now is a combination of parts that fall outside of the tolerance and don't work together, it needs to be fixed. Preferably without hacking on anything, that's the way it should fit.

 

[Al Thompson]

Looked at that with a stripped upper and a buffer tube. I think your correct.

Is there a torque value for the buffer tube when screwed into the lower?

 

[BsChoy]

Technically the tube can only go as far as the buffer retaining detent allows right?

 

[jdh]

Is there a gap between the front of the stock and the back of the lower?
Did the A2 stock come with the spacer that goes on the end of the buffer?

One thing I have done is to add a single point sling plate between the stock and the lower to tighten things up (and add additional sling attachment points).

 

[mljdeckard]

Yes, I have the spacer. I can't see a gap.

I wondered if some of the aftermarket spacers might be more snug.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Is there a torque value for the buffer tube when screwed into the lower?

Yes, it's in the 23&P "torque lower receiver extension to 35-39 ft-lb"

Technically the tube can only go as far as the buffer retaining detent allows right?

That's correct. There is a shoulder on the threaded end of the RE. This shoulder controls how far the RE well screw into the lower, if everything is correct it should be tight and retaining the buffer pin and spring.

I finally got around to assembling my AR-10 lower, and there is audible jiggle between the buttstock and the lower

Is the play between the buttstock and RE or the RE and lower??????