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Posted: 4/19/2003 2:39:14 PM EDT
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I'm putting my CAR back together after a number of years in a box. I have built a full 20" barrel AR in the past and have both pre-ban and post-ban receivers. I'm working on my pre-ban CAR and am putting the folding stock back on it. The problem is that the detent won't back down fully into the recess so I can screw the buffer tube over the edge of it. I've checked the springs (I have several) and they seem to be the correct ones. I've looked at the diagrams and assembly photos on this site. What is the problem? I'm also having difficulty with the safety in that it won't turn after the grip is tightened. I have all the correct parts. There does seem to be two lengths of detent springs with the shorter one being 1/8th of an inch different. I've tried both with the pointed detent. Seems like in the distant past I can remember some people cutting a few coils off the spring to give more clearance. Most of my parts are from the mid eighties, including the 12" barrel with fake flash hider permanently attached. It is a 1 in 12 twist. Thanks for any suggestions in advanced. John |
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The pivot and takedown detent springs are really skinny and a bit over an inch long. The selector detent spring looks a lot like the pivot/takedown detent springs, about the same length, but a bit thicker. Dab a little moly lube or other grease on the pointy end of the selector detent to help it move smoothly. Remember that the rifle has to be cocked to put it on safe. The buffer detent spring is about 3/4" long, and thick enough to just barely fit into the buffer detent. You might want to check for crud in the buffer detent recess that's preventing you from pushing it all the way down. If you're sure you have the correct spring, and there's no crud, you can take off a coil at a time with wire cutters to reduce the spring length and make it fit - but you shouldn't have to do that if you've got the correct spring. You can cut a few coils off the selector detent spring, too, to get a smoother, easier release, but the grease or lube helps a lot. |
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I got the buffer detent installed after finding a blister packed set of springs. The spring in the kit is about 1/4" of a inch shorter than the ones I had been using. Now I'm fighting with the takedown detent. The spring is too long, even in the new parts pack. This is all very odd, as this CAR was put together back in 81/82 by my father as a gift for me (I was 17 then). I know it went together somehow!! I guess I will cut some coils off the safety and take down springs. Thanks Circuits. John |
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