Barely Started, Need Help

[swilliams]

Got the magazine catch installed, then ran into what may or may not be a problem. The catch pin for the bolt release is smaller than the hole it goes into - to the point that I can remove it with my fingers. The video I was watching show the guy tapping his into place with a punch.

Mine also doesn't go all the way in, so it's not flush. It protrudes about 1/16".

How do I fix this? Or is my build finished pretty much as soon as I started?

 

[Cleck]

Make sure you're using the right pins? There's a lot of similar looking pins in an LPK, easy to confuse

 

[swilliams]

It's the only one that's even close. I can't proceed anyway. The pistol grip is more narrow that the section on the lower that it's supposed to slide over, and either the trigger pin is too big or the corresponding hole in the receiver is too small. I'm giving up. Now I have a thousand dollars worth of nothing. Fucking perfect.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

You have to tap the hell out of it. Make sure you use masking or painters tape so you dont mar your lower. Give the end of the pin a squeeze with needle nose pliers to narrow it a little. Put some gun oil on it too. Be patient.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

The grips are tight some times. Put it on at a 45 degrees and pivot up. Dont be afraid to put some pressure on it. Just do it evenly.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

Trigger pins have to be lined up just right or it wont budge that last 1/3. You can use a slave pin or a right diameter punch to help.

 

[kev74]

Take a break and don't freak out.

You can open up the slot in the grip if you need to. What kind of lower parts kit did you get? A new lower parts kit is cheap, and you would have a ton of extra parts - if you need it.

Print out the picture above and lay all the parts out on it. That might help you see if something is wrong or missing, and will help you see if you're using the right part in the right place.

 

[swilliams]

Trigger pin is 1/32" bigger than the hole. It's not going in no matter what. Neither is the grip. Grip/lower is 3/32" off. No way to make the pin for the bolt catch any bigger.

Parts kit is PSA with a Magpul grip. Trigger is a Rock River Arms Match II.

 

[GUNSICK]

The bolt release on that lower actually takes a special screw that should of come with the lower. That's why your having an issue with the roll pin.

The grips can be a bitch to get on because some are super tight. Either girl handle it on there or put the lower in the freezer for 20 minute and try again. You can always sand the inside of the grip but I have never found it to be needed.

 

[swilliams]

Just checked everything against the picture - was using the correct pieces, they just don't fit.

 

[swilliams]

The bolt release on that lower actually takes a special screw that should of come with the lower. That's why your having an issue with the roll pin.

The grips can be a bitch to get on because some are super tight. Either girl handle it on there or put the lower in the freezer for 20 minute and try again. You can always sand the inside of the grip but I have never found it to be needed.

Two out of three. . What about the trigger pin?

 

[Uzi]

That's funny. My first thought before I even finished reading your post was, "He's using the wrong pin".

 

[swilliams]

Just so you can laugh at me some more... I'm so pissy right now that I didn't even realize that "girl handle it" wasn't a real term.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

Doesnt matter what direction trigger pins go in. Alignment is key. You can use a small nylon or rubber head mallet for gentle persuation. Most times just proper alignment alone will work.

 

[Calculon]

If the "ears" of the grip are too tight to go around the lower you should be able to leverage them on - I've used PSA LPKs and they're usually tight. Maybe you can hit the grip ears with a hair dryer for a couple minutes to soften them just enough.

It is a BulletGuy lower right? Like gunsick said should have a screw instead of pin.

 

[swilliams]

Thanks to Gunsick, I'm ready to try again... after dinner, though. Going to grill up some chicken. Will post later.

 

[swilliams]

Ok, @GUNSICK What are the two other bits that were in the bag with the bolt catch pin/screw? The itty bitty threaded piece and the threaded bottle-shaped one with the green top.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Ok, @GUNSICK What are the two other bits that were in the bag with the bolt catch pin/screw? The itty bitty threaded piece and the threaded bottle-shaped one with the green top.

Rear takedown spring set screw.

Upper/lower tensioning screw (under pistol grip)

 

[swilliams]

Rear takedown spring set screw.

Upper/lower tensioning screw (under pistol grip)

Crap. I didn't realize, and prior to Gunsick's rescue call, I used the parts that came with the PSA lpk. Now I can't remove the pivot. Aargh!

 

[GUNSICK]

Your fine it's for the rear takedown pin not the front pivot pin. The tension screw goes all the way through the pistol grip screw hole and will push on the upper to take out any play between the upper and lower.

 

[swilliams]

I have a different grip that I can "girl handle" on, but it's the wrong color. Receiver is in the freezer now, so I'll try that before giving up on the first grip.

Once I'm ready to put the grip on, how do I install the tensioning screw?

 

[swilliams]

Your fine it's for the rear takedown pin not the front pivot pin. The tension screw goes all the way through the pistol grip screw hole and will push on the upper to take out any play between the upper and lower.

Got it. We were typing at the same time.

 

[swilliams]

So close. Got almost to the end, but the hole in the castle nut wrench is too big for me to use with the torque wrench. Is there any other way to measure 40 ft lbs of torque?

 

[NY Leatherneck]

So close. Got almost to the end, but the hole in the castle nut wrench is too big for me to use with the torque wrench. Is there any other way to measure 40 ft lbs of torque?

Never torqued one..never had one loosen up though. You can add blue locktight for good measure.

 

[Bananabandit]

Glad I didnt let you build mine


Btw are you doing this free handed?

 

[Podmonkey]

So I hope everything has worked out by now. Got a kickass rifle yet?

 

[Jem45472]

So close. Got almost to the end, but the hole in the castle nut wrench is too big for me to use with the torque wrench. Is there any other way to measure 40 ft lbs of torque?

Just throw a bit of locktite on and give it a couple taps with hammer and punch to snug it up. That's not necessary to torque to 40 lbs.

Edit - I see you have the correct wrench, disregard my hammer and punch technique. Couple drops of locktite and just snug it up.

 

[Jem45472]

Sounds like you're about finished, don't forget to function check.

 

[4excal]

I'd let the hubby "test" it out first

 

[Phazer]

I'd let the hubby "test" it out first

Kind of like test-piloting a plane: Here you go, captain. This plane was just completed. It has never been off the ground. The controls are all brand new. You go first. Have fun."