Pivot Pin Detent Suggestions

[crob]

Hi folks, I was wondering if anybody had suggestion on how to install a pivot pin detent and spring when both have to travel through the hole the pivot pin sits in. A Google search didn't turn up anything, but my Google-Fu is admittedly weak. I happened to luck into installing it last night after about 30 minutes, but I figure there has to be a better way. I know a picture is worth 1000 words, so hopefully these will explain what I encountered a little more clearly.

The green arrow points to where the detent and spring normally go in, the part the red arrow is pointing to extended over that piece and had a hole drilled into it for you to load the detent and spring through.


I normally just use a razor blade to hold the detent down as I slide the pivot pin in, on this one I was using a small drill bit to push the detent down, put as you can imagine it made it very difficult to slide the pivot pin in.

So, any suggestions on how to approach this should I happen to encounter it again?

[zfields]

Hi folks, I was wondering if anybody had suggestion on how to install a pivot pin detent and spring when both have to travel through the hole the pivot pin sits in. A Google search didn't turn up anything, but my Google-Fu is admittedly weak. I happened to luck into installing it last night after about 30 minutes, but I figure there has to be a better way. I know a picture is worth 1000 words, so hopefully these will explain what I encountered a little more clearly.

The green arrow points to where the detent and spring normally go in, the part the red arrow is pointing to extended over that piece and had a hole drilled into it for you to load the detent and spring through.


I normally just use a razor blade to hold the detent down as I slide the pivot pin in, on this one I was using a small drill bit to push the detent down, put as you can imagine it made it very difficult to slide the pivot pin in.

So, any suggestions on how to approach this should I happen to encounter it again?

I've seen some people use a dowel with a hole drilled in it

sent from my damn tappy device...

[TROYSD]

RAzor blade

[michiganboy]

I hold it down once I get it in with a small flat head screwdriver.

[crob]

I've seen some people use a dowel with a hole drilled in it

That might work if I used a drill bit small enough to allow for some wiggle room.

RAzor blade

I didn't see there being enough clearance for the razor blade, I probably would have tried if it was my lower, but didn't want to scratch up something that wasn't mine

[jaymz]

Razor blade always works for me.

[m16]

Get the installation tool, they are cheap.

It looks like a long pivot pin and it has a hole drilled all the way through it.

You line up the hole in the tool with the hole in the lower, drop in the spring and detent, then use something small to push down on the detent far enough so the tool can be rotated - this holds the detent in place so you can push the pivot pin through.

[SMarquez]

I used a feeler gauge, the thickest one in the set. It worked fine. The real trick is to have your upper firmly secured so it doesn't wobble and let your spring and detent go flying.
Someone posted on using a PC expansion port cover to block 30 round Pmags. That would work too since it is stiff and narrow.

[m16]

This is what I use, it came in the Riflegear builder's kit:

[arrowshooter]

This is what I use, it came in the Riflegear builder's kit:

[ATTACH]277005[/ATTACH]

I picked up similar clevis pin from OSH. zip-zip done!

[John Browning]

get the tool. It costs as much as a latte and will save you gotta of time.

[pitbull30]

I picked up similar clevis pin from OSH. zip-zip done!

Clevis pin. There's videos on YouTube showing it.

[crob]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, has anybody had experience using the tool on a lower like the one described above? I watched a video for a similar tool and they rotated the tool with whatever item they used to compress the spring/detent, allowing the tool body itself to keep the spring/detent compressed. On the lower described above, you have to pass whatever you are using to compress the spring/detent through the lower itself before you pass through the tool, not allowing you to rotate it. I will probably pick one up anyways as I can see it being useful. Heck, maybe I am completely wrong and it will work on the above

[Javi]

I tried using a razor blade but I didn't have it touching enough of the lower and I sent two detents to hell. I just bought the "Wheeler ar-15 pivot pin/roll-pin install tool" from Palmetto for $5(usually $10 or so):

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/battenfeld-pivot-pin-roll-pin-installation-tool-156243.html

I bought it for the detents but I hope it makes roll pins easier to install. I only have regular punches so getting in the trigger guard one was some trouble. Hoping it works well for the bolt catch & the forward assist assembly.

[geo5120]

Straight pin (dressmakers pin)

There shoud be a air hole-oil hole in the boss on the side where the spring resides. compress the spring insert pin in hole to hold compressed spring and assembly is a breeze