Barely Started, Need Help
- Thread starter swilliams
- Start date
gun_slinger_boy
.338 Win Mag
swilliams and her never ending adventures.
She is always in the middle of some project it seems
ManrisFrack
6.5 Creedmoor
Two out of three.
You ever get the trigger pins in? I've heard the pins that ship with RRA NM triggers are oversized by about .0015". If that's the case, freezing the pins and taking a blow dryer to the lower should help.
There are also pins that are ~.016" larger than standard. Colt used to use larger trigger pins. Hopefully you didn't get those pins by mistake. You got a basic reloading set up awhile back right? If you've got calipers (and you should for reloading) you can get an exact size for the pins and we can figure out what's up.
swilliams
6.5 Creedmoor
She is always in the middle of some project it seems
Yep. I took a break from the wainscot in the upstairs bath after finally finishing one corner where the wall was bowed. That was about as much fun as the rifle. Have to go cope the chair rail and finish installing. Then I get to fill holes, sand and paint. So much fun I don't know how I can handle it all.
I didn't have a 1/16" Allen wrench (my twenty strangers on the internet didn't tell me I'd need that tool), so I still need to tighten up the pin/screw for the bolt catch and install the screw for the trigger guard. I also don't have an Allen long enough to reach up inside the pistol grip, though the upper fits really nicely right now.
I didn't remember that the LWRC upper came with a buffer spring. Hazards of having two houses and not keeping everything together. So I might be selling a Spike's assembly in the near future. Or maybe karma-ing it if I decide I like internet strangers.
In any case, it looks bad-ass if nothing else. Picture in a few minutes.
swilliams
6.5 Creedmoor
Oh yeah. Meant to mention that last night. Yes, I got them in, and yes, they're over sized. That was NOT fun.
Rustycoins
.40 S&W
Just a tip for next time, some pins are easier to put in with channel locks. Wrap the hell out of the jaws with painters tape first, but using slow consistent and careful pressure you can get most pins to go in very easy compared to using a punch. Just don't force it or you can crush the pin. (was that post NSFW or do most of them sound that dirty when explaining?) rofl.
Glad you got 'er done. I built 1 AR years ago and it was pretty much a disaster. Turned out fine but I re ordered and swaped out parts a bunch due to loosing them, fitment issues or just not liking what I bought. Took forever!
swilliams
6.5 Creedmoor
I don't like my grip, which is a shame, since I had to move past girl-handling and go straight to bear wrestling to get it on, and it may never come off again. Here it is. I'll check back in later after I get the tools I need to finish 'er up. (And finish the bathroom.)
Deplorable Me
.700 Nitro Express
Next pack meeting in lieu of Pinewood derby cars boys we'll be assembling Bullet Guy lowers.................
Deplorable Me
.700 Nitro Express
The merit badge:
Eddie Gunks
.338 Win Mag
For the record. Not addition freezing, drills or hammers should be necessary to install trigger/hammer pins.
I was worried, so i went out to make sure i did not have a bad batch.....i tried 3 different lowers, and 6 different pins (all by different pins manufacturers) and all of them installed easily, as they should.
As a rules of thumb, anytime a part may need to be "adjusted", ALWAYS modify the cheaper part.
I am glad you got it together. It looks great. You have an awesome upper!
Dont worry about the last two screws, you really dont need em anyhow.
As i indicated in another thread, i was thinking NOT using a threaded bolt catch pin.....i should have followed my instincts......all they have done was cause me and the owners much headache. Sorry. The gen II will be totally milspec using only roll pins.
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I was worried, so i went out to make sure i did not have a bad batch.....i tried 3 different lowers, and 6 different pins (all by different pins manufacturers) and all of them installed easily, as they should.
As a rules of thumb, anytime a part may need to be "adjusted", ALWAYS modify the cheaper part.
I am glad you got it together. It looks great. You have an awesome upper!
Dont worry about the last two screws, you really dont need em anyhow.
As i indicated in another thread, i was thinking NOT using a threaded bolt catch pin.....i should have followed my instincts......all they have done was cause me and the owners much headache. Sorry. The gen II will be totally milspec using only roll pins.
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GOYABEAN
.950 JDJ
KISS!
@swilliams, that is an awesome rifle! Truly. Why don't you like the grip? The angle? Be warned with ARs it dosent matter what you bought, built, whatever there will always be something you'll wanna tweak or change, you'll always be in that grass is greener mode. If it all functions well just leave it, its a good rifle. Save your money for optics, mags and ammo.
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gun_slinger_boy
.338 Win Mag
Looks great but a bit too evil.
Cleck
.308 Win
Glad you got it together, it looks great. I had to use channel locks too, but that was to apply consistent pressure. None of the parts in my LPK were oversized or needed cooling/heating. Shit happens, but you're past it, so now the fun starts.
swilliams
6.5 Creedmoor
Now that I know how the bolt catch screw works, it seems better than a roll pin. Then you don't have to worry about a punch slipping and marring your lower.
The trigger/hammer pins I used a mallet - no freezing or heating, but it was a hard, slow process. Wonder why Rock River makes them over sized?
ManrisFrack
6.5 Creedmoor
Google tells me that those particular triggers don't fair well after the .154" pins wear in a bit. Evidently they can lose the 2nd stage if the pins are too sloppy. I've never used RRA and had not heard that they supply oversized pins until I saw your issue and started digging.
Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
Nice job S, looks great!!
Robin
Robin
speedkills27
6.5 Creedmoor
+1 on this technique, but I did worry bout breaking the "ears" off
Also in regards to your Magpul grip, mine was also very hard to get to fit. I had to girl hand mine to get it started, then wiggle it up till it fit snug. Your finished product looks great though, hopefully you feel the effort was worth it.
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So when you gonna go try it out eh?
Rustycoins
.40 S&W
Right but using a punch you can still fold the ears over and ripple the pin. Atleast with channel locks you can lube it up good and glide it in
Uzi
.308 Win
Freezing, Heating... ? 
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
Roll pin punches make all the difference in the world getting those little bastards started.
swilliams
6.5 Creedmoor
So.... it works. We were racing to get out the door because my youngest had a den meeting back in NJ, and all three kids have swimming on Monday nights. I fired 10 rounds, no hiccups. I didn't see any brass ejecting, so was looking around when my husband came out and told me to look about ten feet behind where I was standing. Man, those suckers fly so far backward I can shoot in front of me and behind me at the same time, lol. I'm headed to bed - dead tired - but will post a little more detail about shooting and what I noticed tomorrow morning.
Deplorable Me
.700 Nitro Express
Rustycoins
.40 S&W
Exactly 10 rounds. Good thing you had those compliant/blocked mags in . 
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ManrisFrack
6.5 Creedmoor
I've got one of those. Love it. Even if you're on the bench, you can just leave the zipper open and it'll dump the brass right next to the weapon. Easily pays for itself if you get into the non-standard AR calibers.
@Uzi Crazy what men have become these days, huh.
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swilliams
6.5 Creedmoor
Exactly 10 rounds. Good thing you had those compliant/blocked mags in
I purposely chose 10 rounds to honor my NY compatriots. Twelve had fallen out of the box, but I put two back. Next time I can guarantee you the mag will be full!
So, thoughts....
I had zero feed issues (I should hope not with only 10 rounds), but I did notice that when chambering that first round, there had to be a pretty good initial shove to get the round up out of the magazine into firing position. I must be used to seeing that nice, polished feed ramp on the 1911.
Upper and lower fit together like a glove. There is zero wiggle, even while firing. Like they're not even two separate pieces. So glad. (I did buy the long allen wrenches, though, just in case I needed that little part. Have a nice set of both SAP and metric now.)
I can't hit shit without sights, lol. Guess that'll have to come sooner than later. Was still fun, though, and lack of any real target made me feel great about just shooting off the last six rounds as fast as I could. It's a very nice noise-maker.
Recoil was fine, but I'm still going to want to try and get a little more padding on the end. I was worried about this (even though you guys said it would be okay). I have zero padding at shoulder level, so the butt rests directly on bone. Even though it didn't hurt, the fit isn't comfortable at all. I must be too girly.
Which brings me to the last point. Did anyone tell Uzi I'm a girl, yet? Looks like Manris might have, but the image doesn't show up yet. I'm not a wilting lily, by any means, but don't have a hell of a lot of upper body strength. Heating the grip with the hair dryer was SO needed. In my defense, the other grip I have - also a Magpul, but a different model - I could get started just by using a little force. I think I'd like something more like the Hogue grips garyv350 gave me for the SP101. I like the contours. Suggestions?