Problem building my first rifle, please help

[Yeemix]

Hello, I've been working on my rifle today, following the step by step instructions on AR15.com. I messed up in that the front pivot pin was pushed all the way through before I attached the upper. Being a super rookie, I didn't realize it until I finished the lower and tried to attach the upper. Is there a way to remove or slide the front pivot pin without damaging the spring?

Also, I don't see an easy way to break open the rifle to load from the top . How does this work? Thanks for any info.

[TMC]

The front pin has detents at both ends of it travel so it won't move when the rifle is together and won't come out when you field strip.

You should be able to tap the pin and it should slide to the right side, if it doesn't you did something wrong.

As for loading, you pull the rear pin, and hinge the upper 90 deg. out of the way and load the mag.

[WRENCHHEAD]

push the pin from left to right. the front and rear pivot pins are made to slide out of the way so you can take off the whole upper.

and when loading it you will only need to push the rear pivot pin out of the way, and use the front pin as a hinge.

[TheMan]

Hello, I've been working on my rifle today, following the step by step instructions on AR15.com. I messed up in that the front pivot pin was pushed all the way through before I attached the upper. Being a super rookie, I didn't realize it until I finished the lower and tried to attach the upper. Is there a way to remove or slide the front pivot pin without damaging the spring?

Did you try pushing it back out?

When you first assemble them, sometimes that pin can be tough, but it does pop back out so that you can remove or reinstall the upper receiver.

[Yeemix]

Jeeze, what a dumbass I am. I became paranoid after I sent a dent flying across the room earlier. I think I get it from here, thanks again!!!

[AW-FANATIC]

I think most of us here have a flying detent story or two

[oaklander]

Detents are attracted to carpet, for some reason.

I don't know why they don't put a couple extra ones in each kit!

I was lucky - I only had one flyer, and it didn't burrow too deep into the carpet.

Make sure you do a safety test when you are done - first MAKE SURE your gun is not loaded - then while pulling the trigger, pull the charging handle all the way back, and then let if forward *slowly* while still pressing the trigger.

When the charging handle is all the way forward, slowly let off the trigger - you should feel a *solid* click. The press the trigger again. The hammer should fall.

Do this at least five times.

If it fails this test - take it to a gunsmith - since it could fire accidently (e.g., "double") - or even fire out of battery.

There's probably some other tests too, but this is the most basic one that I know.

Do this every time you disassemble the gun.

[MilSpec.45]

Also, I don't see an easy way to break open the rifle to load from the top . How does this work? Thanks for any info.

You can get an extended take down pin which will make it easier.

I haven't even built mine yet but I've done my homework.

[redrover]

Some detents are attracted to carpet but mine seems to go for my eyeball. ouch! just becareful with those pesky springs.

[leelaw]

I think most of us here have a flying detent story or two

No detent story here, but I did nearly take out my eye with the FAL recoil spring when I disassembled the buttstock..

<screw, screw>
SPROING! FWIP! PATANG!
"Wow, I'm an idiot"

Stupid, really stupid.

[rorschach]

I launched 2 detents. I eventually splurged for a 5 dollar detent installation tool, and havent lost one since. I'm just thankful that Stag throws in an extra in their LPK's.

[xrMike]

No detent story here, but I did nearly take out my eye with the FAL recoil spring when I disassembled the buttstock..

<screw, screw>
SPROING! FWIP! PATANG!
"Wow, I'm an idiot"

Stupid, really stupid.

One of my eyeballs had a close call during reassembly of my 1911. Was trying to slide in the firing pin stop and was holding down the pin with a metal punch. The punch slipped and the pin came shooting upward and caught me right in the corner of my left eye. Didn't puncture, but hurt like hell, and left a bright red spot of broken vessels that took a week to go away.

I always wear safety glasses when I do that part now.

[xrMike]

Oh, and I recommend that "Oh Shoot" spare parts kit from 10%; it's only like $13 or something and has all kinds of extra springs and detents. Haven't needed it yet but I'm sure someday I will due to a parts "launching".

[mltrading]

See this somewhere. It might help.

While installing spring/detents which are small and tend to "fly", get a big ziplock bag and put your work/your hands/tools inside the bag. Then seal the bag as much as possible. The chances of flying spring/detents will reduce a lot.

Personally I have tried once. It's a nice solution.

[Paul1960]

What's the problem with detents?

After putting together a dozen or so rifles it get's easier. I do have an o-shoot box-full-o-parts to dig into when I lose something (no carpet in my work room). I have sent more than my fair share of detents into detent heaven.