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Posted: 4/20/2016 5:19:38 PM EDT
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Hey guys, I know the topic of roll pin installs is a recurring one. Usually devolves into "get roll pin starters" / "I ain't buying a starter they are too expensive" / "use vice grips" / "use normal roll pin punch but tape the pin to the punch" / "buy this $65 set of special pliers".
Feel free to evaluate where this lands in that spectrum I did something last night on the trigger guard roll pin that I've not heard of before. Just used my vice. Tape up the lower as needed. Used a small block of wood to protect the lower from the serrations on the vice jaw. Lubed up the pin. Used a small piece of flat steel to protect the pin from the serrations on the other vice jaw. Slowly closed the vice. Got it to where about 2 mm of pin sticking out, finished off with 2 whacks with punch. Essentially it is a variation on the vice grips / special pliers theme, but: a) you don't gotta spend $65 for those special kraut pliers b) most people already have a vice c) none of the issues with typical vice grips where they don't drive together "flat" Pretty easy. |
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Quoted:
Hey guys, I know the topic of roll pin installs is a recurring one. Usually devolves into "get roll pin starters" / "I ain't buying a starter they are too expensive" / "use vice grips" / "use normal roll pin punch but tape the pin to the punch" / "buy this $65 set of special pliers". Feel free to evaluate where this lands in that spectrum I did something last night on the trigger guard roll pin that I've not heard of before. Just used my vice. Tape up the lower as needed. Used a small block of wood to protect the lower from the serrations on the vice jaw. Lubed up the pin. Used a small piece of flat steel to protect the pin from the serrations on the other vice jaw. Slowly closed the vice. Got it to where about 2 mm of pin sticking out, finished off with 2 whacks with punch. Essentially it is a variation on the vice grips / special pliers theme, but: a) you don't gotta spend $65 for those special kraut pliers b) most people already have a vice c) none of the issues with typical vice grips where they don't drive together "flat" Pretty easy. I use channel lock pliers. I did one just the other day. Took all of five seconds. No scratches, no problem. Good on you OP for figuring how to do it without spending more money. Be sure to post pics when you finish it. 
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That works too, and it's how I did my first. I didn't want to do it that way this time because it was seriously the hardest roll pin to do of all the roll pins first time.
Thing would just not go in easy even with beveling the end and lubing it and so on. In comparison the gas tube roll pin was easy as cake, same with the bolt catch. Just tried something different and it worked great. Just throwing out an idea for those other relative newbies. And thanks for making my point for me!
Quoted:
What is so hard about simply supporting the ear and using a small punch and hammer to install the roll pin? I've assembled over 100 AR rifles that way and never had issues. |
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Last removal / Install I did I found a great support:
AK front sight tool. Take the threaded portion out and you have a "U" block that just so happens to be the right size for the receiver ears with a nice hole through it. Wrapped the ears with tape, lubed the roll pin, tapped it in with my short punch and a light hammer. The hardest part is lining up the pin, but it worked great! |
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http://www.amazon.com/Upgrade-Screw-Magpul-Trigger-Guard/dp/B00BNOPHUU
works with aluminum or poly...just did an aluminum and took about 5 minutes. Drill out the magpul part to 5/32...insert inserts...screw together with no roll pin. |
| I support the bottom trigger guard ear on the top of my lower vise block and use a small brass hammer to drive the pin through. Two whacks and it's installed. Then finish it off with a small punch and one final whack. And, no, hitting the pin directly with the brass hammer doesn't mash the top of the pin. Two good whacks and the pin is almost flush. Three whacks total and it's done. Simple as pie. Not sure why it's such a big deal for everyone. I work part time at a local custom shop and build lowers daily. Never had a bent or broken trigger guard ear in hundreds of lowers. |
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Press pins in, tap pins out. I honestly don't know why this is so hard for arfcom.
Starter punches should only be used in areas where other tools won't fit. The ar 15 is easily accessible. With exception of the bolt catch. Still very easy to install. Mildly annoying to remove. |
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If I get a LPK and it has standard split roll pins they go right into the garbage can. Very minimal investment just to switch to the coiled pins, which go in much easier. http://www.andersonrifles.com/product/trigger-guard-roll-pin/ Or in bulk from McMaster Carr- 25 in 420 Stainless for $9 #95765A334 100 in standard steel for $7 #91598A253 |
We have >these< now, why do we even debate this anymore. 
Before the DOA trigger guards came out I was a fan of the coiled roll pins from RRA. I still use the RRA coiled roll pins for the bolt catch. |
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Quoted:
We have >these< now, why do we even debate this anymore.
Before the DOA trigger guards came out I was a fan of the coiled roll pins from RRA. I still use the RRA coiled roll pins for the bolt catch. Do RRA LPK's come with coiled roll pins? |
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Quoted:
Press pins in, tap pins out. I honestly don't know why this is so hard for arfcom. Starter punches should only be used in areas where other tools won't fit. The ar 15 is easily accessible. With exception of the bolt catch. Still very easy to install. Mildly annoying to remove. I installed a trigger guard last night and I used a $3 small C-clamp from Harbor Freight to press the pin into place. I just taped up the side of the C-clamp resting against the lower with electrician's tape to protect the lower's finish. Worked pretty good. I did need to give the pin one or two final taps to seat it flush. |
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Quoted:
Do RRA LPK's come with coiled roll pins? Quoted:
Quoted:
We have >these< now, why do we even debate this anymore.
Before the DOA trigger guards came out I was a fan of the coiled roll pins from RRA. I still use the RRA coiled roll pins for the bolt catch. Do RRA LPK's come with coiled roll pins? I have never used an RRA LPK but I would assume they come with the coiled roll pins. |
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Quoted:
I installed a trigger guard last night and I used a $3 small C-clamp from Harbor Freight to press the pin into place. I just taped up the side of the C-clamp resting against the lower with electrician's tape to protect the lower's finish. Worked pretty good. I did need to give the pin one or two final taps to seat it flush. Quoted:
Quoted:
Press pins in, tap pins out. I honestly don't know why this is so hard for arfcom. Starter punches should only be used in areas where other tools won't fit. The ar 15 is easily accessible. With exception of the bolt catch. Still very easy to install. Mildly annoying to remove. I installed a trigger guard last night and I used a $3 small C-clamp from Harbor Freight to press the pin into place. I just taped up the side of the C-clamp resting against the lower with electrician's tape to protect the lower's finish. Worked pretty good. I did need to give the pin one or two final taps to seat it flush. I also use the c clamp. Did it with hammer and punches for year, now I wonder why I didn't think of a c clamp earlier. |
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Quoted:
That works too, and it's how I did my first. I didn't want to do it that way this time because it was seriously the hardest roll pin to do of all the roll pins first time. Thing would just not go in easy even with beveling the end and lubing it and so on. In comparison the gas tube roll pin was easy as cake, same with the bolt catch. Just tried something different and it worked great. Just throwing out an idea for those other relative newbies. And thanks for making my point for me!
Quoted:
That works too, and it's how I did my first. I didn't want to do it that way this time because it was seriously the hardest roll pin to do of all the roll pins first time. Thing would just not go in easy even with beveling the end and lubing it and so on. In comparison the gas tube roll pin was easy as cake, same with the bolt catch. Just tried something different and it worked great. Just throwing out an idea for those other relative newbies. And thanks for making my point for me!
Quoted:
What is so hard about simply supporting the ear and using a small punch and hammer to install the roll pin? I've assembled over 100 AR rifles that way and never had issues. 
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I have a set of snap on, strait tip lock ring pliers that does the trick for me. It makes roll pin installs a breeze. Just put the pin in the jaws, line it up, and tap it in with your hammer until it is started, then finish with a punch. I think I got mine pretty cheap at a rummage sale a few years ago.
I know this isn't a snap on, but it's very similar, at a reasonable price. These pliers are very useful...I use mine at least once a week on various stuff. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wilde-Tool-9-in-Straight-Tip-Lock-Ring-Pliers-G704PNP/204760187?gclid=CjwKEAjwuuy4BRCvs43g9fX9mz4SJACiYydP614vuMKAGJ7MhN2UQw7qoAiVMLPdVgzGJgrRl6N0shoCcNHw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds |
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http://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-2-Piece-Magnum-Grip-Pliers/dp/B00A0KVY46
Or http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QO2XGRW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1461411731&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=squirrel+daddy+hollow+end+stainless+steel+starter+punch+set&dpPl=1&dpID=51D--Qef8TL&ref=plSrch 
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http://www.amazon.com/Kobalt-2-Piece-Magnum-Grip-Pliers/dp/B00A0KVY46
Or http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QO2XGRW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1461411731&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=squirrel+daddy+hollow+end+stainless+steel+starter+punch+set&dpPl=1&dpID=51D--Qef8TL&ref=plSrch
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Quoted:
What is so hard about simply supporting the ear and using a small punch and hammer to install the roll pin? I've assembled over 100 AR rifles that way and never had issues. X2 I lay my lower on it's side and just tap it in. Never had one come back out. Someone else mentioned there are lots of import LPKs round and if you have one that is overly tight it is probably not in spec. |
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DEAD ON ARMS, LLC - AR-15/M16 PINLESS OVERSIZED TRIGGERGUARD
Dead On Arms Trigger Guard 
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