Help - AR Build problem :(

[sevensix2x51]

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=7...LL_PIN_HOLDERS

use these....followed by these and that won't happen

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26482/Product/BROWNELLS_ROLL_PIN_PUNCHES

Pull it out and try it again.....I cant speak to the use of pliars....I have a friend who swears by them....a few ways to accomplish the task...

this ftw!

those starter punches are the best thing ever. critical for a job like this, imo. ive never tried pliers either. they seem, at least to me, to be a "look around the garage for something that might work" solution.

[Fate]

Watch the attitude. Its getting really annoying.

LOL

[slomofo]

If you plan on doing this often or messing up often, you can buy a whole box of roll pins for about $5.00. I got all the roll pins for AR15s, Honda/Acura shift linkage, and Subaru axles. It costed me around $20.00 for a lifetime supply of roll pins for all the applications I needed them for.

Start over, but tap lightly and if you see it going in at an angle, that same thing will happen again.

[moleculo]

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=7...LL_PIN_HOLDERS

use these....followed by these and that won't happen

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26482/Product/BROWNELLS_ROLL_PIN_PUNCHES

Pull it out and try it again.....I cant speak to the use of pliars....I have a friend who swears by them....a few ways to accomplish the task...

These holders look interesting. Which is the correct one for this application? BTW, I initially tried taped up channel locks but I couldn't get it started at all...it was just too tight.

[captbilly]

I use a pair of Channel locks to install the pins

I either use Channel Locks wrapped in tape, or a small hammer to push or tap in the pins. I would only use the punch to get the pin in past the edge of the hole, not simply to get it into the hole in the first place. You can use a small punch to get the pin out, but be sure to tape up the rifle so you don't scratch up the receiver.

I recently used a 12" long 1/2" diameter titanium rod to push in the two roll pins. I was able to use a combination of tapping and simply grabbing the rod a slowly pushing the pin. Obviously titanium is not necessary, it's just what I had on hand, the point it that many things can work. If I remember correctly the only tools I used on my last build were the titanium rod and an Allen wrench for the hand grip screw.

[sevensix2x51]

These holders look interesting. Which is the correct one for this application? BTW, I initially tried tasaped up channel locks but I couldn't get it started at all...it was just too tight.

eh, mine says "3s" on it. i notice that the website makes no mention of such markings, so that doesnt help you a whole lot. sorry.

edit- found my dial calipers, and the inside diameter of the punch is .1" while the outside diameter is .154". since .154 would be 77/500ths of an inch, we'll just assume that it is a 5/32, since 5/32" is .15625"...

but id probably just email them and see which is the right one for the bolt catch roll pin. i might have been overthinking this.

[owenriquez]

I put vaseline ointment on the hole and roll pin when i did mine... went in smoothly

[moleculo]

Just got back from duck hunting and decided to try to get this roll pin out by using a pair of channel lock pliers with the lower in a vice. It's not working. All it did is smash the hell out of the pin and when i yank on it hard, it breaks pieces off.



This thing isn't budging. Any other ideas? The other side of the lower has the raised section in the way so I don't know how you can possibly get a punch in there straight to punch it out the other direction.

[sevensix2x51]

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=26484/Product/BOLT_CATCH_PIN_PUNCH

theres a punch for that.

i didnt catch it before, but where are you? theres gotta be someone in your area that can fix this for you.

[moleculo]

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...ATCH_PIN_PUNCH

theres a punch for that.

i didnt catch it before, but where are you? theres gotta be someone in your area that can fix this for you.

Los Angeles area.

[Cali-V]

Sit it down and order the proper tool and a new pin...


As said, you can then use this punch to remove the pin... and with care to install a new pin...

[Wicked K5]

If you're impatient and don't wanna order the punch, you can try a little heat on the receiver from a heat gun or cigar lighter, however I don't know how the anodize would like the butane if you use a lighter. And try vise grips instead of channel locks- make the pliers do the clamping and you do the pulling, instead of you doing both. Also maybe try pivoting the bolt catch as you pull on the pin.

[B yond]

I'd try using an angled piece of steel (like an allen wrench) inserted on the other side to drive it out. There should be enough room to get one in there.

[jayboy74]

After building several ar15s I have come to the conclusion that the BHO and Trigger guard roll pins are the hardest part of the build.

Here is what i would do to free up the bent pin.

Lube it well with gun oil etc , Try one more time to pull out , Use needle nose pliers and gently twist it while pulling. With the tape you should be fine since the rounded portion of the pliers will be contacting the tape. Do not try to bend the pin simply twist and pull. If this does not work then , Buy a punch set pref a brass punch set. Find the punch that will slide into the other side of the pin hole, Do not use one that is really tight in the hole but do not use a really small one either. Slide the punch in it will probably stop about 1/8th of an inch in because it will more than likly hit the bold hold open , Wiggle the hold open until the punch slides past, The next stop you hit should be the damaged pin, Tap the punch lightly , While doing so wiggle the bolt hold open just to make sure the punch is not binding on the other edge of it. Do this Wiggle while tap tap taping. This will free up and push the pin back out.

Tip for putting in the new pin

1. Lube the hole. Lube is your friend in life and helps under alot of situations .
2. Look at the pin and if one end looks smoother or smaller than the other slide that end into the hole.
3. Use correct punch if avaliable , if not you can make a very temporary one using a nail , Find a sturdy nail that is a little bigger around than the pin and cut the point off of it. I built my first 2 ar15s with home made punches.
4. Make sure pin is straight , Tap lightly with a small hammer, Go slow.
5. Watch the bolt hold open and for the pin to get hard to tap, When the pin gets to it more than likely it will start pushing it over against the side , You can see this looking through the crack between the BHO and the side toward the pin your pushing in. Wiggle the BHO while lightly tapping the pin , It should slide past the BHO. Once it clears the lip of the BHO the pin will tap in easily again, Tap very lightly until it is flush =)


Trigger guard pin..

This pin is the one i hate , Pretty much do the same as above but make sure you have something solid under the ear on the other side of the trigger guard. If you break this you have ruined the receiver. I wiggle the trigger guard while tapping the trigger guard pin in .

[moleculo]

Well, it all has a happy ending. I got the roll pin starter set and a new set of roll pin punches from Brownells, along with that special punch for driving out that bolt catch pin. I noticed that the new roll pin from Brownells was also much higher quality and would not deform so easily. Anyway, a little lube and it all went together easily.

Those punches from the riflegear set are too short and don't work well. The Brownells punches are the ticket, and those starter punches work great. I only got a couple of little nicks in the receiver right around bolt catch. You can barely see it and it's nothing a little sharpie won't cover up.

I completed the whole rifle yesterday - shooting tomorrow!