Selector Switch Retention?

[BDR529]

So I'm piecing together my first ar build and cam across a couple of issues. The first one is how the hell do you get the forward retention pin to stay in place while you're installing the take-down pin? I tried using a razor blade but it flew off and now I have to find. The second issue id the selector switch. I'm using an Ares 80 lower (the metal one) and all of the holes seemed drilled properly that were already there. However, when I tried installing the BAD-*** I realized that while the pin will hold the selector switch in place (it won't fall out) it doesn't give any resistance to the actual switching of the switch. it won't go past the safe or fire points, but it doesn't click into place at either one, and will move from safe to fire with just gravity. I thought (maybe it's just a bad pin and spring from Battle Arms, but my PSA LPK arrived today and with their pin and spring AND their selector switch it's doing the same thing. Is there a different pin/spring combo I can try or does the hole that goes to the pistol grip need some attention from a gunsmith? Thanks for any insight...

[triggs75]

To your front pivot use a 1/4 Clevis Pin as a detent install tool. You can get it from Home Depot, approx $1.50

For your safety detent you need to install the spring and the grip. Try this link to show which springs and detents go http://www.ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/

Chad

[BDR529]

Thanks for the info for the for the pivot. And I installed everything correctly. the grip is installed with the pin and the spring.Everything is where it should be, the switch just doesn't physically click into SAFE or FIRE. It won't fall out of the receiver, there just isn't any tension on the switch from the pin.

[bohoki]

i just ran into this problem today on a tactical machining 80 i painted it and i guess a little paint got in the hole so i cleaned it out with the appropriatly sized allen wrench

[BDR529]

Mine was recently cerakoted, but I had this problem before it was done. would you recommend shoving an allen wrench up there anyway and trying to see if anything happens? Or possible a small file?

[BDR529]

If the selector switch isn't installed, should the retention pin be able to pass all the way through the hole in the receiver?

[tinman1975]

Once I got an lpk where the detent was somehow a little out of spec and wasn't going far enough into its hole to engage the lever properly because it was too big. Luckily I had an extra and dropped it in and it worked just fine. But I'm guessing your hole is a little too small or your detent is a little big.

[ar15barrels]

the grip is installed with the pin and the spring.Everything is where it should be, the switch just doesn't physically click into SAFE or FIRE. It won't fall out of the receiver, there just isn't any tension on the switch from the pin.

The hole that the selector detent sets in has two different diameters.
The LARGER diameter should be drilled 3/16" deep from the pistol grip seating surface.
Yours might only be drilled 1/8" deep and the step in the hole is keeping your detent from fully engaging the selector detent notches.

[ar15barrels]

If the selector switch isn't installed, should the retention pin be able to pass all the way through the hole in the receiver?

No.
The small tip of the selector detent should stick about 1/8" into the 3/8" diameter selector hole though.

[19K]

There is a lip on the detent that should keep it from pass all the way through . The hole is probably too small. My friends 80 did that. We took a drill but my hand and pliers and spun it in there to clear up any burrs. We then popped it in place with a light tap since it was still right. But it works fine now.

[BDR529]

Thanks 19k, the drill bit worked great for me! And I eventually got that pesky pin in with a combination of my thumb nail, an Allen key, and a razor blade. Thanks again to everyone as always for the help!

[Brandon04GT]

For the pivot pin installation, I normally first line up the detent spring and detent into the hole. I then keep a thin plastic card (basically like a thin plastic playing card) between the pivot and detent pin as I line up the pivot pin and push it into the hole. After making sure the pivot pin groove is lined up, I slip the card out and the detent snaps into place. It's pretty simple and hardly the worst part of a lower assembly...