QD attachments. How are they made/assembled?

[bearitone]

So I'm clicking my QD attachment in and out of the mount and I notice that I cant really figure out how the hell these little things can be disassembled, or how they were assembled in the first place.

How are these little things assembled?
The balls have to be inserted through the top where the button is im sure but, then how does the plunger get in?

Confused and curious.
Links to videos or pictures would be appreciated

[SanDiego619]

I want to know also.

[Ivan275]

I would guess the holes for the ball barrings are a tiny fraction smaller then the ball barring and are forced into the holes and are unable to pop back out.

This was a magpul sling, that may or may not be real.

Used a small screwdriver and pulled the plunger up. It came out without too much effort but one ball barring was stuck 1/2 way out and need a small push to go back onto the hole. It still works fine. None of the balls can or want to fall out.

Red would be locked position, green unlocked.

[bearitone]

I would guess the holes for the ball barrings are a tiny fraction smaller then the ball barring and are forced into the holes and are unable to pop back out.

This was a magpul sling, that may or may not be real.

Used a small screwdriver and pulled the plunger up. It came out without too much effort but one ball barring was stuck 1/2 way out and need a small push to go back onto the hole. It still works fine. None of the balls can or want to fall out.

Red would be locked position, green unlocked.

Dude, you are awesome. Thank you for these pictures.

After taking a closer look at mine it looks like each hole that the balls protrude from are staked. I'll post a picture tomorrow but, I guess that solves the mystery. The balls are dropped in from the outside then the edge of each hole is staked to keep the balls from coming out.

Again, thank you for taking the time to take one apart and throw up some pictures. You are the man.

[Ki6vsm]

It's an interesting question. These are just short, fat ball-lock pins, which have been around for many decades and serve many purposes.

This manufacturer's page has a few vids, animations, showing how the various types work. I didn't see anything about how they are assembled though:

https://www.carrlane.com/product/alignment-pins/ball-lock-pins

[SanDiego619]

Nice animations!

[bearitone]

Sawed mine into a quarter section view to see the inside:








I decided to break out the calipers and make it into a solid model (minus the balls)




I forgot to take pictures of the staking on the outside but, since its visible from the outside you can just see it for yourself on your own QD. Cool stuff!