F'n Bolt Catch Roll Pin!

[jdewolf]

Seriously this is my first solo ar15 stripped lower assembly. I'm using a DPMS LPK and a JD lower [which is funny because it's my initials too]. So anyway I start the pin in and it take a few firm whacks, but nothing major. I get it in maybe 1/2 of the way into the first post. Then I give it a few firm whacks and it just catches and slightly goes in at an angle. So I think "F" it was already distressed and if I tried to pull it out I'd either crush it or break it. So I decide to do the dumb male thing... hit it harder and hope it works itself out. Well that halfway worked and it went almost to the point where I could put in the bolt catch... then it breaks. I had to go in with a punch from the other side and smash the !@#$ out of it to get it out. I was swinging pretty much as hard as I dared.

So tomorrow before I go hang out with my friend [if she doesn't flake] I need to run Ironsights and see if they sell just that part by itself. If not I'll just buy another complete LPK [because eventually I will build another] and order a few of those damn pins by itself.

Are there any friggen tips to make my life easier? I was thinking of going in with a dremel and ever going in with a fine grinding bit and just working the holes on the receiver itself very lightly. I want to make sure there are no burs and smooth it out slightly. Then taking some fine grit sandpaper to the pin itself and smoothing it out. Then lubing the crap out of the pin and giving it nice firm 100% straight whacks and see what happens.

The stupid thing is that I just decided to do the rest of the build. Everything is SOLID and there's no wiggle between the upper and lower. Function check is 100%... minus there's the fact there's no bolt catch... and I marred my receiver around the holes for the bolt catch.

I wish there was a swear jar in my garage tonight... I would have made myself a millionaire.

[bootcamp]

Tape the crap out of some vice grips and squeeze the roll pin in.

[Purple K]

In the future try blue painters tape to protect the finish. Most Ace Hardware stores have an excellent selection of roll pins.

[jdewolf]

Originally Posted by bootcamp

Tape the crap out of some vice grips and squeeze the roll pin in.

I'll try that... just sucks that I have to wait another day...

[jdewolf]

Originally Posted by Purple K

In the future try blue painters tape to protect the finish. Most Ace Hardware stores have an excellent selection of roll pins.

I did... I did... trust me I did...

It didn't get damaged until I had to smash the bit of roll pin that snapped off. I went from using a ball hammer... to a dead blow... to a lil' mini sledge

It was in there good... real good... it was like mandingo got stuck in a midget

[oldyeller]

I lightly pinch the end of my roll pins to make them start easier.

[jdewolf]

Originally Posted by oldyeller

I lightly pinch the end of my roll pins to make them start easier.

I like that that idea...

This is all good material for the next solo assembly...

I still don't believe I have to wait until tomorrow...

[bjl333]

Use a set of Channel locks. Tape the sarrated parts with duct tape. Taper the ends of the roll pin before inserting, I use tweezers to hold on to the pin. With the lower flat on the table use downward pressure on the lower to avoid slippage. Slowly squeeze the pin into the hole. Halfway in put the boltcatch on (dont forget the spring). Patience is needed ...


EDIT: The RRA lpk has the best roll pin, they dont even need to be tapered before installation ....

[jdewolf]

I used a mag well block and put her in the vice. Spring & bolt catch buffer won't be forgotten. I almost lost the buffer twice because it kept jumping out from me pounding the crap out of it. Eventually I wised up and put it in my toolbox

[yasushi]

Originally Posted by oldyeller

I lightly pinch the end of my roll pins to make them start easier.

plus run a fine file over the starting end to take off any sharp edge and put a slight taper.

[PatriotnMore]

Originally Posted by oldyeller

I lightly pinch the end of my roll pins to make them start easier.

^^ That, and I butter the starting end with Vaseline, then use tape wrapped jaw channel locks, and it slides right in, every time.^^

[jdewolf]

I conquered that *****. Thanks for all the advice guys

I ended up going in with a small dremel bit and reaming out the holes in the receiver a little bit. It was a super fine bit. I just wanted to take out any imperfections and smooth it out slightly. I compressed the first part of the pin a bit with some pliers. I used a little axle grease on the first half of the pin. I tried the channel locks but they didn't quite work out perfectly. I used it to start it in about 25% of the way. Then I went in with a long punch and firm but gentle taps and got it drove in.

Success!

[ar15barrels]

Originally Posted by jdewolf

Are there any friggen tips to make my life easier?

Lube helps whenever you are trying to get something into a tight hole.

[bootcamp]

Originally Posted by ar15barrels

Lube helps whenever you are trying to get something into a tight hole.

This statement may apply to more than one type of hole.

This may also be my new sig line.

[ar15barrels]

Originally Posted by bootcamp

This statement may apply to more than one type of hole.

It was advice to make his whole life easier, not just the bolt catch part.

[RRichie09]

Not an expert by any means, but if it was that hard to get it out maybe the hole of the roll pin is not to spec. Try running a drill by hand through the hole.

[PonchoTA]

Originally Posted by bootcamp

Tape the crap out of some vice grips and squeeze the roll pin in.

+1 This.

[bjl333]

Originally Posted by PatriotnMore

I butter the starting end with Vaseline

Originally Posted by ar15barrels

Lube helps whenever you are trying to get something into a tight hole.

Originally Posted by bootcamp

This statement may apply to more than one type of hole.

Originally Posted by ar15barrels

It was advice to make his whole life easier, not just the bolt catch part.

Words to live by !!! LOL ....

[siliconphreak]

Vice grips or channel locks will make life easier.

[jdewolf]

Originally Posted by ar15barrels

It was advice to make his whole life easier, not just the bolt catch part.

With advice like that, what could possibly go wrong?

[biglou]

Originally Posted by Purple K

In the future try blue painters tape to protect the finish. Most Ace Hardware stores have an excellent selection of roll pins.

I use duct tape. I tried the blue painters tape, but duct tape is thicker and is tougher.

[jdewolf]

The blue painters tape is ok to protect the finish and make sure there's no adhesive left behind. I used blue painters tape for the base, and then electrical tape on top of that. I couldn't find my duct tape for some reason... which means I'll have to buy a mega value pack next time I'm at the store

Oh and my rifle got the last laugh. I installed the damn hammer spring backwards so the friggen trigger pin kept walking out on me! Corrected it and now it's all good... but damn I was getting frustrated

[tankerman]

Slip in a spare firing pin retaining pin instead of a roll pin. It's a good fit, been using one for over a year on one of my AR's.

[Lumiel]

I used the guide on here about assembling a lower and at http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782 It was my first time, but went well thx to the guide's.

After the part about putting in your LPK, there is a good section about using vice grips to put in the roll pin's from hell...

[Marsoc1]

Originally Posted by ar15barrels

Lube helps whenever you are trying to get something into a tight hole.

That's what she said

LOL

[sniper4usmc]

watch this video!!!!!!
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11630/learn/

[jdewolf]

Originally Posted by sniper4usmc

watch this video!!!!!!
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11630/learn/

Mine didn't go in that easily...

[jamesob]

i have built around 10 lowers and had this happen to me once. what i did was i went to orchard supply and picked up another roll pin and drove it in from the other way. trying to get it out is a ***** and vise grips make it worse, it smashes it in tighter because it flares it.

[Buddhabelly]

Let's hope you gun will functionn flawlessly now. Have you shot it yet?

[jdewolf]

Originally Posted by Buddhabelly

Let's hope you gun will functionn flawlessly now. Have you shot it yet?

Everything worked 100% I of course function checked it before heading out the range. I had the damn trigger pin back out on me... but turns out I installed the hammer spring backwards. Fixed that when I got home... and then I started cleaning the bolt... carbon... scrape... ug...