Assembled my first lower tonight.

Damn_Yankee

Damn_Yankee

"Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time"
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
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I know it's not a big deal to most of you guys as a lot of you have done many lower builds. I had a lot of fun doing this though. It was easy to do and I finished in about 45 minutes. Having the right tools is key. Now I just have to save up for the upper.
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They're so much fun to put together. Welcome to your new addiction
 
I bought a mag well vice block, castle nut wrench, a small bench vice, and a small hammer for the roll pins.




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hlpressley said:
Awesome! I need to get brave enough to do the same.

Would you mind listing the tools that you purchased? I see all kinds of stuff online but I'm looking for what's necessary to get the job done rather than what's cool.
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Good set of roll pin punches will go along ways. I have hollow starter punches then I finish them up with a dimpled punch. Before I bought them I was a cheapskate. I've actually added a little grease to one end of a roll pin and squeezed them in with a pair of Channel locks on several lowers. Also need one of those AR-15 multi tools to tighten the castle nut on the stock. You don't have to have any of these but they sure help
 
If it weren't for Burt letting me borrow a set of punched before I got my own as well it would have been impossible. Welcome to the addiction.

Oh...it didn't count if the detent spring didn't sail across the room at least once.


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Burt Gummer said:
Good set of roll pin punches will go along ways. I have hollow starter punches then I finish them up with a dimpled punch. Before I bought them I was a cheapskate. I've actually added a little grease to one end of a roll pin and squeezed them in with a pair of Channel locks on several lowers. Also need one of those AR-15 multi tools to tighten the castle nut on the stock. You don't have to have any of these but they sure help
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+1 on roll pin punches. I get by without starter punches as I find they are only really useful for tiny roll pins such as the gas block roll pin. And for that, taping the roll pin to the end of the roll pin punch works for me. But regular punches are a poor substitute for roll pin punches, though I'm sure there are plenty who will make do with regular punches.

A large roll pin punch set isn't necessary - this 4 punch set covers what you need for AR lowers: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/191653/lyman-roll-pin-punch-set-4-piece-steel
 
I have about 10 thumbs and am always amazed at the AR or all around gun projects I can do. IMO simply knowing what not to try is the key. In other words, what is the cost or penalty for screwing this up? If it might blow up a barrel or cause an AD then I reconsider. If it might cost be another pinsight or grip I go for it. And I go slow and gentle.
 
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I just used a cheap Torx head screwdriver instead of a punch . It's nick to have a handle . I must admit pulling mine apart a few times to re tweak the triggers
 
Congrats OP! I helped my Dad build his second, Saturday. I've built 2 myself and helped my BIL with one. I am by no means a pro, but we were able to finish this last build without watching a video for the first time.
 
Burt Gummer said:
I've actually added a little grease to one end of a roll pin and squeezed them in with a pair of Channel locks on several lowers.
Click to expand...

I still use the squeeze method.
 
hlpressley said:
Awesome! I need to get brave enough to do the same.

Would you mind listing the tools that you purchased? I see all kinds of stuff online but I'm looking for what's necessary to get the job done rather than what's cool.
Click to expand...
Let me know when you want to try it. You come here, or I'll come there...and you won't need to buy any tools until you see how it goes.
 
Grits said:
I helped a friend build a lower on the tailgate of his truck in a convience store parking lot. Didn't launch a detent pin either.[emoji41]

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Then you must have done it wrong!


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I put a healthy dose of electrical tape around any part of the lower that requires a roll pin being pressed into it to help prevent any scratches due to slippage. I also use channel locks to squeeze in roll pins.
 
11B CIB said:
I put a healthy dose of electrical tape around any part of the lower that requires a roll pin being pressed into it to help prevent any scratches due to slippage. I also use channel locks to squeeze in roll pins.
Click to expand...

I masked off the lower with masking tape to prevent scratches. I oiled up the roll pins to aid installation.
No detents or springs went flying. I guess I need to work on that.


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The detent pin / spring for the front is the worst part of it all.

That and the roll pin for the trigger guard for me.
 
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