Roll Pins

Ricci.Wright

I have driven a fair number of roll pins in the last 40 or so years. I have owned a nice set of Matco Tools roll pin punches for a long time and they have served me well. I must admit however,  it was in the last few years  I even learned there was such a thing as  roll pin starter punches, but I didn't see where I needed them. I don't as a habit build AR15's, just have always bought complete rifles.  I did just put a lower together out of necessity and it's of course no big deal. BUT there is that pesky bolt catch pin. I knew I was gonna scratch the brand new lower if I kept on so; my new set of roll pin starter punches arrived today. Man I love buying tools.

jimdeere

Now all you need is a BFH.

mark christian

Installing the bolt catch is my least favorite part of AR assembly- I dread it. The right tools make the job much easier:

This master AR tool kit from Real Avid contains every tool you need, as well as a few that you probably won't use, to assemble an AR in record time. They have an excellent dealer program, but if you tell them that in addition to being a dealer you do gun smithing, they'll sell you a single kit at a DEEP discount.  

Ditch-Runner

     when I started building the kit ar's  out of curiosity and of course   so many parts on the dang internet PSA sales and a few weeks of cold weather a few years a back and eight  rifles later    ,,I bought a set of starter and roll pin punches  after I built a couple  nothing fancy and would bet they were made in china . before that it was what ever punch I had in the tool box and also  learned early a piece of tape  ( what ever is on hand  masking , electrical , duct ) is your friend when putting in the bolt release pin  in with or with out the correct tools  just a strip in front of the roll pin hole and no scratches on the receiver , 

Mobuck

I use a couple of strips of electricians tape on the side of the lower to prevent hammer marks.  
Also, I no longer use "spring pins" but have switched to only "rolled" pins.  These are WAY easier to install/remove and make a nicer looking assembly.

asop

I just love it when a technical post turns into humor