Growing an ar15

[unknown]

Last week I got my first lower and a basic lowers kit. After looking at a few installation instructional videos I have one question.

Once you put some of the pieces in, they seem permanent. Specialy the ones with pins.

If I plan to upgrade the components in the near future, is there a part that I should hold off on installing?

Thank you for your thoughts.

[yuppiejr]

The only captured detents I can think of that would be a pain to remove later are the take-down pins though I believe with a razor blade to depress the detent/spring you could un-capture these.

The only part I would avoid re-installing because of the risk of breaking-off the ears on the receiver if you don't support them correctly while hammering through the roll pin is the trigger guard. Given it's one of the cheapest components to upgrade on the lower just buy the one you want and install it when you do your build. If you elect to stake the castle nut holding on your buffer tube (assuming it's a carbine versus rifle style) you'll want to make sure it's the diameter you want (milspec probably) if you have designs for a specific stock upgrade later.

[340PD]

I haven't built an AR from parts myself (I have looked into it quite a bit) but I don't think there is anything that you can put together that you can't take apart. From what I've seen, most things that require a pin can be removed by removing the pin. People replace/upgrade trigger groups all the time so I don't think there would be any issue with removing anything that you want to replace for one reason or another in the future.

[Hmac]

Roll pins can be driven out even easier than driving them in. Some would say, however, that you shouldn't re-use a roll pin as it might be too loose. They're cheap. The trigger pins aren't an issue. The takedown pins are captured by easy to deal with.

Make sure you have a good set of punches, specifically roll-pin punches rather than plain old straight punches. A set of roll pin starter punches is also a really valuable tool to have.

[oneunder]

There is nothing that is permanent. You can push out the pins, as easy as you push them in. Something like this: http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/tool ... ch-set.php from Midway or Brownells, and you can add/remove any product parts you need.

[samginko]

If you are in Eagan, stop by. I have a magpul trigger guard. One thing you should get, JP spring kit from atomic tactical.

[unknown]

Thanks for your thoughts guys, they are really helpful. samginko, I will probably take you up on your offer, do you have a gunsmith hammer and punch set?

[samginko]

Unfortunately yes, I have too many useless gun smithing and reloading excesses in my workshop. My wife no longer keeps track of my in coming packages.

Get everything needed to complete a lower, and get a hold of me.

[Countryfried Frank]

My wife no longer keeps track of my in coming packages.

Teach me Obi-Wan.

[Heffay]

When I first read the subject, this is what it made me think of:

[Squib Joe]

The only part I would avoid re-installing because of the risk of breaking-off the ears on the receiver if you don't support them correctly while hammering through the roll pin is the trigger guard.

I would invest in a small arbor press instead. I think I've seen them at Harbor Freight for under 25 bucks

[Scratch]

Either I'm doing something wrong, or some of you people like to spend money on tools you don't need. I've built a little over 10 AR10 and 15 lowers, and the only tools I used were a hammer, 2 punches, needlenose pliers, allen wrenches, a razor blade and the one tool you may not have yet, the armorers wrench.

Roll pin punches, starter punches and arbor presses are luxuries but not needed....


By the way Heffay... When you're ready to split up that plant, let me know. I'll bring over my garden shovel.

[JustPlainT]

My wife no longer keeps track of my in coming packages.

Teach me Obi-Wan.

^ THIS.

I need those same lessons. How do we make such things happen. My "Jedi mind trick" skills aren't really good.

[Uffdaphil]

With experience you will realize the tricks to removing any lower part. I find a safety pin, table knife and painters tape to come in handy for handling/removing small parts. Get plenty of spare detents or invest in knee pads and magnifying glass.

I replace the rotten Magpul rear trigger guard screws with these socket heads. Cheap, fit tight, and I prefer the looks. Use a small rubber/nylon washer if you wish. I usually don't bother

[unknown]

Not much to see here


This is where we are at as of today


I will be upgrading the stock springs to a set JP springs sometime this week. and now the search for a stock/tube begins