Help! Failed Detent Mod

[inda_bebe]

bro, that same sh1t happend to me, i just broke off whatever sticked out by trying to remove it. so, i just left it, and added the spring thru the front.

[chuck762]

I read the old locked thread about this mod and I've seen new threads with broken taps twice.

It the original thread there seems to be some resistance to the mod because some people think that it's wrong to need another tool (hex key) to disassemble an AR.

This creates a few questions for me:

#1. Why would anyone need to remove the rear takedown pin or rear takedown pin detent?

#2. No one is recommending locktite on the set screw. Would even a little dab cause problems later?

#3. Why aren't people using thread forming taps instead of a cut tap? With such a small size that would seem to make sense.

If someone did want to use a thread forming tap it would be pretty simple, just get a #38 reamer and open up the hole to the depth you want to tap, then use plenty of lube to roll the threads in one shot.

#1 You don't have to remove it unless you like to take things apart and tinker once in a while.

#2 There is no way the screw can come out with a stock on so it is not needed.

# Probably cost since standard 4-40 taps are everywhere and you have to order a thread forming tap and if you need a reamer then that adds to the cost also. Using a thread forming tap/reamer would be taking a simple process and over complicating it. The 4-40 tap works fine provided you don't drop the lower like the OP did or bottom it out and give that typical "just a little more" turn on the tap handle that people seem to be so fond of doing.

I really see no need to do it to anything other then the detent on an Armalite AR10 style rifle so you can use a magpul maid grip on it since they are missing plastic in the area that retains that spring. But some people like to swap stocks and such of they like to not worry about the spring.

[Vic]

Why not take a small drill bit, and...drill into it

[mvpatriot]

[ar15barrels]

Why not take a small drill bit, and...drill into it

The tap is harder than the drill bit.

[BSlacker]

At work I remove this kind of stuff all the time. A couple of tips.
1. You can't remove something small you can't see well. Get the offending part in a vise and get a magnifing glass or microscope on it and good light.
2. You will need small tools. Your pliers don't grab because they don't match the scale of the tap. Grabbing the tap and turning it out are unlikely.
3. There is no punch small enough sold a Sears to hit the tap in the right place to turn it. Think upholster needles. Strong and pointed.
4. Hammer it sharply around its threaded bits and on top. Dull blows will not shock it loose.
5. Now use the needle on the outside edge of the tap with counter clockwise force and it will turn. Only has to turn about 30 degrees to lighten up enough to remove with a magnet.
Good luck I spend all day on one piece sometimes.

[rkt88edmo]

Is there some correlation between post count and detent hole tappers

[tankerman]

I doubt he has a vice, if he did the receiver wouldn't have dropped on the ground.

1. You can't remove something small you can't see well. Get the offending part in a vise and get a magnifing glass or microscope on it and good light.

[goober]

i guess there must be some history behind this, but i for one find the "fail" posts taunting the OP to be immature and in poor taste, the sort of stuff i've seen Mods warn or ban folks for. if you don't have something helpful to add, why do you feel the need to post something negative?

to the OP- BSlacker and others have offered some good advice.

[truthseeker]

If you can file/find some ring pliers (like the ones that have 2 little hardened tips) you might be able to grab onto the flutes in the sides of the tap.

Also, taps are VERY brittle! If you put too much pressure on it (using pliers/vise grips) it will crumble into little pieces and you will loose the ability to grab it.

[ar15barrels]

Is there some correlation between post count and detent hole tappers

Yes.
People with really low post counts are usually new shooters.
New shooters are commonly mislead to believe that tapping the reciever for a setscrew is somehow a good idea.
They are usually mislead by the people selling the $15 kits to do such a job.
Therefore, we can correlate that people with low post counts are more likely to believe $15 reciever tapping kit sellers.

That's why we see low post count people breaking taps in receivers.

[Rukus]

The "fail" posts don't bother me. If I was too worried about getting flamed I wouldn't have brought the subject to light on an internet forum, least of all one I plan on frequenting regularly.

Thanks to all those who gave productive advice...I tried several different solutions and it still just seems like the KNS push button pin is the solution that will work best and cheapest for me. I will just be installing a SLAP plate over it anyway so you can't really see "the fail".

Thanks guys.

[ar15barrels]

Breaking the tap with a punch is the answer.
Then you pick out the pieces.

[BSlacker]

I doubt he has a vice, if he did the receiver wouldn't have dropped on the ground.

Yes most handheld tapping of small sizes is a gamble that is often lost.
Just because the OP broke the tap doesn't mean he doesn't have access to a vise.
I have many vises. Of both kinds. Even a guy with a dozen vices large and small can break off a tap once in awhile. Thats how we find out how to remove them.

[tankerman]

Breaking the tap with a punch is the answer.
Then you pick out the pieces.

Should be fine as long as the tap doesn't gouge out any aluminum and end up futher down the hole.