In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Making progress on my build "Updated"
Ruger4me
Member, Moderator Posts: 3,804 ******
Well I got all the lower parts in, only had 2 fliers (springs and detents) found the first, lost one spring but had an extra... anyways it's together for now and seems to function fine... safety is loose if i shake ar it will fall from safe to fire... seems like detent is not setting in the hole on safety to hold it in place... anyways may try to fire a few rounds tomorrow, then strip it all out of lower to figure out how to finish the white aluminium.
Here's some pics:
Any thoughts on safety would be appreciated.
Comments
looks like your doing fine
I did not have a preference on safeties ( well most were what I found on sale in kits or the secondary market ) I have ambidextrous versions on some and the rest just the standard versions. many different makes ( I would guess most made by the same company just sold under different names )
word to the wise and from past experience ( as in looking in floor vents couch and chair cushions under work benches well you get the idea. ) if your going to mess with the AR style firearms BUY 😁 a lot of springs and detents there inexpressive and will be a blessing more than often when you hear one ping off the wall or celling
1st spring I lost it was on the only AR rifle I owned I had to wait almost a week to get a replacement part . after having to wait the first time and I started putting some together well just say I now have plenty of springs and detents , roll pins ,
Most excellent!
I would maKe certain you didn't pinch the spring when you put your grip on. I once had a grip where the spring hole was to deep and wasn't putting enough pressure on the spring.
Make sure you used the Correct detent and Correct spring! It is easy to use a pivot pin spring and detent by accident.
Had a friend do that on his first build
I've found several of the safety detent holes that needed 'some attention' due to debris getting into the hole during the drilling process. Best advice is to run a small punch or the proper sized drill bit into the holes and detent spring recesses before assembly. Since you've already assembled, are you going to leave it 'raw'? If not, you'll have to dis-assemble before trying to put a finish on.
After a couple dozen 80 percenters, you'll accumulate an assortment of spare parts after cannibalizing other parts kits. To save frustration, I suggest beginners order an "OOPS" kit to accompany their first LPK. I suspect there's enough small parts scattered about my work space to mostly finish a lower.
Much cussing may be prevented by the purchase of the detent installation tool for the pivot pin detent.
"thoughts on safety"
Follow the 'start up' sequence on ANY new or re-assembled lower: Load 1 round and fire w/o a mag in place. Check to see if the safety will engage. Repeat twice(total of 3 shots) listening for the 'snap' as the disconnector releases the trigger onto the hammer sear surface. This ensures that the disconnector is functioning properly. Load 1 round in the magazine, cycle the bolt and fire with now empty mag in place. Does the bolt lock open? If so, repeat twice more. This ensures the bolt is cycling fully and the bolt catch if functioning. Load 2 or 3 rounds in the mag, cycle bolt and fire making sure you are properly managing the trigger. That is normally enough 'proving' to assure safe function.
Sweet. I use a magnetic pad when working on firearms, and a magnet to find the lost springs.
Saved me many a replacement order.
Looks good. The bare aluminum looks good, to me.
Thanks for the feedback guys, I did order some extra springs and detents last night to have on hand. @Mobuck thanks for the start up sequence I'll try it out when I'm ready... I think I'll take the safety selector and its' parts down and clean again to see if that helps with the looseness before I load any rounds @savage170 I appreciate your things to check on that. The spring I lost was the rear take down pin and the buffer detent spring it's a little tricky trying to get those both at the same time they went flying a couple times, first time I found them...@jimdeere I kinda like the bare aluminium also, but have 4 more and will probably figure something to do besides just leaving them all "in the white" I have never been good at painting anything besides a house so I'll continue to research other finishes...
Again thanks for the comments from everyone.
Bret
I look forward to hearing about some range time in the future….I admire anyone that can do a complete build.
Thanks @William81 (Frank) but this is just building the lower, I got the upper from PSA, I will probably try building an upper in the future.
Hey guys your suggestions worked on getting the safety selector corrected, took it back out cleaned and reset it and now works correctly. Thanks. It was too windy yesterday to try it out, maybe today.
After getting it running take it out on a so so windy day -5-10 crosswind and shoot it a click into the wind. Never know when you would have to do that on a target someday.
SF it was gusting to 20 or so yesterday, didn't want it to be that much on first shot, but I like your idea.
It was still really windy yesterday, but I couldn't wait any longer, I tried to follow @Mobucks' "start up sequence" and everything seemed correct so I shot some American Eagle 55 grain FMJ 10 rounds out of each a metal and a plastic PMAG without any issues at all. Everything worked as it was supposed to. I am not posting any target pictures yet though since it needs to be sighted in (alot) aiming at the bullseye on a paper target printer on 8.5 x 11 the hits were about 14 inches low and about 3-4 inches to the right... after the first 3-4 shots I was able to aim above and to the left and hit the paper but not worth posting a picture of. I need to adjust the sights and try again, but it is kinda rainy today...
can you hit the door on a barn than your good 😁
congrats on finishing your project now to tune it in
Have you considered ‘anodizing’ the aluminum parts ??
A brief tutorial,,,,,,,,
https://www.wikihow.com/Anodize-Aluminum
When putting in the upper to lower hinge pin I found using a straight razor blade to hold the spring and detent pin in place while inserting the hinge pin is a fool proof way to not shoot the spring and detent spring across the gun room. Your safety issue sounds like a detent spring/detent pin issue. Make sure your spring did not get mushed when installing the buffer tube plate.
Thanks guys, and @forgemonkey I am thinking of trying to anodize it so the link is very helpful.
I was going to suggest this but slipped my mind the pivot pin you can buy a tool or as I did how ever my first one I did this any hardware store has what you need . simple cheap and easy sounds like but no not my old GF
@Ditch-Runner I have a pin that came with the router jig that I used pretty much like in that video. I had trouble with the rear pin not the front one, but thanks for the input.
That's the method that I use
yes the rear pin is also a challenge I bent a few springs over time and like you use a thin blade ( I used a pocket scale /ruler ) to hold it in place after the first few lost and bent springs
will add in I think its Anderson's lower's ( I have a few ) they are tapped to install a allen head screw in to hold the detent and spring in place I even bought a tap and drill bit to do some of my other loweres later on when I get in the mood LOL
just cut the spring a few coils to make up for the set screw length if needed
I found a video but all are similar
I now use A2 buffers and solid stocks which helps on the rear detent Until I went that route, I bent quite a few a springs