Lower assembly assistance requested

[kamagong]

The wife and daughter are out shopping today so I got a free weekend to put my lower together. I had everything set -- work space cleared, laptop opened to the Calguns lower assembly guide, G&R Tactical LPK laid out, and OLL taped to minimize scratching. The first part was easy enough and I got the bullet button installed no sweat. I had a big problem though when I got to the installation of the bolt catch. I tried to use my set of vice grips to get the roll pin started, but the pin just would not budge. I then switched to using a hammer and punch and spent the next ten minutes trying to coax the pin in, but I still failed to make any progress. After walking away for a bit and rereading the OLL assembly guide I tried again. This time the roll pin started to go in. I continued to use the hammer and punch on the roll pin when all of a sudden the punch slipped. I stopped to take a look and the roll pin had split like a tin can. Argh! There was no way I was going to be able to continue to push the roll pin through. I couldn't believe it. I finally found a weekend to put my lower together and this happens.

Fortunately I was able to take the roll pin out. Unfortunately I can't continue putting my lower together as I am now missing an integral part of the LPK. It looks like I wait even longer to put together my AR. I have a question. Is there any place in the Bay Area that I can buy just the roll pin or do I have to buy the entire LPK? Secondly, is there anyone near Central Contra Costa who can help me put this thing together? Frankly I'm a bit frustrated with this whole experience and I just want to get my rifle completed. Thanks.

[bden]

I'm terribly sorry to hear your woes. It's pretty far from you, but Sac Black Rifle sells individual parts. If there's an OLL friendly store near you they might even have one laying around. A guy at the shop closest to me hooked me up with a few miscellaneous parts one time. Best of luck.

[WILDMAN442]

If you can swing by a shop in your area (unsure of what part of the bayarea) that is AR friendly, I am sure they would hook you up man.

Also, arfcom has a good write up as well with some alternatives for install

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782

Hope this helps bud!

Justin

[r6raff]

Call around where you live, find the first gunshop and ask, if they don't, ask for a blackrifle friendly dealer. I'm sure you would be able to find a new one, there is a random parts kit that i have seen at a few places, trigger/hammer springs, takedown pins etc... I think they also have the roll pins. may want to look for that.

as for the install, Im pretty sure I was able to just use a pair of channel lock pliers and squeezed it in. Doesnt seem right that you had so much resistance did you have the right roll pin? I know all these are similar in size, I printed out the sheet from ar15. com and put each piece on each picture, to make sure I didnt mix anything up.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782

[makaio]

The last time I used a DPMS lower parts kit I had the same problems. You should be able to pick up a similar roll pin at a quality auto parts store if you can't find one at a gun shop. Not one of the big box stores, but an old school quality parts store, or an industrial fastner store.

[killshot44]

My local Ace Hdwr store stocks roll pins. Good idea on the auto parts store.

[hk91666]

My local Ace Hdwr store stocks roll pins. Good idea on the auto parts store.

Had similar problem ACE hardware carries them I think 3/32" if I remember correctly. THe bolt catch is the worst part of putting a lower together JMHO.

[kendog4570]

7/16" long x 3/32" dia. Or, 0.437" X 0.093"

[dousan]

yeah u can get at hardware store.
for my roll pin, i had the wife hold it in with some needle notes pliers
and then i used a punch (like so: http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-226...7886447&sr=1-4 )

to put the pin in
didnt have to tape anything up either and took just a few quick hits and it was in and i was moving on from there. super easy and quick

[bomb_on_bus]

Check out www.midway.com or www.bravocompanyusa.com

[dfletcher]

FWIW, I always dress down the outside diameter on the BHO and trigger guard rolled pin and put just a touch of bevel on the leading edge. They still go in pretty tight, but "easy" tight not "this is never gonna work" tight.

[IXMM]

http://weaponparts.storesecured.com/items/ar-15-mil-spec-parts/pin-roll-pin-bolt-catch-bolt-release-roll-pin-bolt-catch-bolt-release-detail.htm

[chesterthehero]

a few passes with a file on one end of the roll pin is a great help.. same goes for a few spins with a round file in the holes..

[jtmkinsd]

Bolt catch roll pin is always the toughest part...lol I can't tell you how many guys bring their lower to the shop with a mangled roll pin and scratches all over the place. The problem is the hole is a very tight fit for the roll pin. You have to use very confident and strong hits to move the pin into place...and if your punch isn't long enough, you end up trying to hit it at an angle (which doesn't work and only makes things worse). I actually machined a recess into the tip of my punch for the pin so it doesn't slip off while hitting.

[luckystrike]

eh carry on with the build, your bolt wont catch when empty but that does not mean you cant finish the build