AR15 Roll Pins

[bodiebill]

Any tips or special tools for the installation of AR roll pins?
I have roll pin punches but the pins seem very tight and difficult to insert.
Seems like there is excessive interference of the hole ID and the roll pin od.

[tradecraft]

Lube always helps.

[jfifer]

Well, roll pins fold in then "spring out" to stay in place. Deburr, then lube up. A vice helps, and a brass hammer if press fit is not an option

[BSlacker]

I run my roll pins through a piece of steel with the proper size hole for the pin in question. Use them once in steel before you put the pin in the aluminum. It will help to have the proper pin drivers/holder punch. This punch has a hole in the end for the pin to fit in. It fits tight and saves the end from flaring out and holds the pin so it goes in straight. No more smashed fingers!

[me109g4]

Tap bolt catch hole to 4-40, put a set screw in one side, cut a piece of 3/32 drill rod to length and drop in, then put another set screw in behind it. Roll pins suck.

[ar15barrels]

Tap bolt catch hole to 4-40, put a set screw in one side, cut a piece of 3/32 drill rod to length and drop in, then put another set screw in behind it. Roll pins suck.

Most people don't have 6" long 4-40 extension taps...

[nhr310]

Tape the rollpin to the punch to get it started 5/32 punch

[bohoki]

i make sure and have a "dog" on the other side be it a finish nail or allen wrench

i'm not sure but i think there are only 2 the one for the gas tube and the one for the bolt stop i use some cardboard from a cereal box to slide a hammer on to whang it part way then insert the goodies in the slot then place a allen wrench in the other hole to lock it in place then tappy tappy the pin till the allen wrench falls out

[Sicarius]

I use channel locks with a good amount of tape on the teeth to at least get them most of the way. For me, it is the easiest way to do without a third hand. This way I can also support both sides of the trigger guard without worrying about snapping one of the ears off and having to resort to the grip of shame... or Stark grip as they are sometimes called.
Kevin

[bohoki]

oh i forgot the one for the triggerguard i'm such a dumas

[stevie]

I use channel locks with a good amount of tape on the teeth to at least get them most of the way. For me, it is the easiest way to do without a third hand. This way I can also support both sides of the trigger guard without worrying about snapping one of the ears off and having to resort to the grip of shame... or Stark grip as they are sometimes called.
Kevin

This works extremely well.

[tpuig]

I bought a set of roll pin punches, and also a set of roll pin HOLDERS, which have a hollow end. It holds the roll pin and allows you to start it in the hole, then you switch to the regular roll pin punch with the little dot on the end. Extremely helpful. At first it seemed like it might be a waste of money, but they have already come in so handy. Brownell's has them for $50, but since I wasn't going to use them that often, I picked some up from Amazon for half that. Called roll pin starters. Hope this helps.

[prod39]

Synthetic grease and a brass hammer. I use small needle-nose pliers to hold the roll pin.

Don't forget the duct tape to protect the finish on the lower !

[me109g4]

When i tapped the hole i use a standard length tap, i pushed it into an old pistol cleaning rod, worked great.

[mark501w]

I pinch them together with a pair of small needle nose vise grips to relieve the diameter, Don't crush it just pinch it together & tap part way in with a brass hammer, once the reciever is holding the diameter tap in with roll pin punch or brass punch & hammer. Protect your finish with plenty of tape.