Unanodized AR lower

[CAsucks]

I am in the process of building an AR pistol, and have all the parts to complete it but my 80% lower is unanodized and I will not have time to get it engraved/anodized before this weekends Burro Canyon shoot.

Can I assemble the lower for the time being, shoot it, then disassemble later when it goes off to anodizing? What are the negatives to this route?

[newglockster]

Yep, that should be fine.

[spdrcr]

Sure, you could do that. You don't even "have" to anodize it. It's just a bit more durable that way.

The only negative I see is having to drive back out the roll pins and then cleaning it up real good. Although prior to anodizing they should clean it pretty well and bead blast it.

Honestly, I don't think it's a bad idea at all to function check it prior to dropping more money on anodizing and engarving.

[sigstroker]

It won't be easy getting the front takedown pin out. It's such a pain to get in in the first place.

I'd suggest leaving the trigger guard off. Seems like there's great potential to damage the lower by removing it.

[ar15barrels]

It won't be easy getting the front takedown pin out. It's such a pain to get in in the first place.

The PIVOT pin is really easy to remove.
Just insert a 1/16" punch into the disassembly hole on the pivot pin, rotate it 1/4 turn, then slide it out.
Watch out for the detent and spring as they will head into outer orbit as the pivot pin clears the lower.

[CAsucks]

Shot it today with very minimal issues, a couple double feeds and a stovepipe, but i believe that is due to using a poor quality polymer magazine and an ejection port brass catcher.

And as to the roll pin in the bolt catch, cotter pins work just fine!