Is this useful or a complete waste of time?

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=381209

Just wonder if its something I should offer on the lowers I build.

could you maybe describe it here, for those of us that can't get to barfcom from work? :D

its usefull. Helps me be a bit lazzy on mine. :)

When you have to take it apart and the spring wobbles out when your taking the tube off off I can't ever find that little effer. thats why I keep jars of these damn things"spring, detent pins".lol

would not be a decision factor for me

Originally posted by Quarterbore:

In a thread in the EE I saw a number of people asking for the rear plate that retains the rear take down detent spring retained when using an AR-15 pistol buffer. To be honest, I got tired of fighting with that stupid little spring with my own AR-15 pistol years ago and I thought other people knew the simple trick to tap the rear takedown detent hole and then use a small allen head screw to retain the spring. Well, in case nobody has seen this done I decided to do this to a brand new lower I bought this weekend and my local fun show...

First, the rear takedown detent hole in case someone is asking WTF is he talking about?
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar-15detentspringfix-001.jpg

A 4-40 tap with a little oil... Sure wish tapping an AK trunion was this easy as Aluminum is easy!
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar-15detentspringfix-002.jpg

Here is the tapped hole. Just blow it out with some compressed air when done tapping.
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar-15detentspringfix-003.jpg

Need to cut about 1/8-inch off the rear detent spring. If you don't do this when you tighten up the allen screw the spring will compress to the point that the detent will not come out of the divets in the rear takedown. (If you don't cut your spring, you will see what I mean ).
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar-15detentspringfix-004.jpg

1/8-inch 4-40 Allen head set screws. I got these at my local hardware for $0.10/each.
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar-15detentspringfix-005.jpg

0.5mm Alen wrench. Note a handy wrench like this makes it easier to keep the spring from flying!
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar-15detentspringfix-006.jpg

Set screw on the wrench.
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar-15detentspringfix-007.jpg

Shortened rear detent spring back into the hole.
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar-15detentspringfix-008.jpg

Screwing in the 4-40 Allen head set screw.
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar-15detentspringfix-009.jpg

The head of the allen head screw with a standard AR-15 buffer tube.
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar-15detentspringfix-010.jpg

So, what does this do for me? Now I can remove my A2 Stock and add a CAR stock with no wories of bending or losing that spring. With my AR-15 pistol, it makes it so that I don't need to use the rear cover plate. If I want to replace the spring for any reason, I just unscrew the set screw and cut off another spring and drop it in there...

This is a 10-minute job and one I like to do on ARs that I swap stocks around on...

I wouldn't need it on this one, but it'd be a nice option for somebody.

Was going to do that to mine just because it sounds like a pretty good idea, but didn't have any 4-40 set screws at work. Just not motivated enough to go shopping for a single set screw for a non problem.

I'll get around to it eventually.

As for offering it as a service, sure, be a bit of a selling point I think, as long as it didn't add more than a couple seconds to your build time per rifle.

it's a neat idea. I don't think I'd pay extra for it on a build. but some might. That's the really cool thing about independant people like you getting involved in the industry. It gives people options.


I'd rather have spare detent pins. I've lost dozens of those little fawkers.

I did it on my pistol build, as I didn't have any other way to retain the spring. For a rifle, unless you are going to swap stocks around all the time, it's kind of a waste of time.

the tatical innovations lower I used for my last build had that, made for an easy stock install. didnt trim the spring though

I have done that mod before. It was quick and easy. It provides a bit of peace of mind when removing the stock.

Useful if you change stocks regularly.

Just checked my tactical innovations lower that I havent touched yet. It has this already done as well. Came with the screw already in place. (mine is a TAC15)

Useful if you change stocks regularly.

know anyone who does?

So if I just started doing this on all asembled lowers, with out charging more for it, it wouldn't be seen as a negative?

If anything I would offer it as an option. I can see some people not wanting their shit messed with (like me, although I'm sure you are far more qualified to build an AR then I am or will likely be for a long time, I just like doing things myself). But some guys who don't know shit about how a tap works could essentially snap the tap and fuck their lower up. I'm not sure if it would be a major pain or even feasible to find out if each and every single different customer wants it or not.

Bottom line if you aren't gonna charge for it, I would let them do it. The hole is already there, and tapping aluminum isn't too hard.

So if I just started doing this on all asembled lowers, with out charging more for it, it wouldn't be seen as a negative?

Just my opinion, but I say do it. If they don't like it they can just use a regular length spring. I fubar'd my spring taking off my last stock, so it would have helped me out.

0.5mm Alen wrench. Note a handy wrench like this makes it easier to keep the spring from flying!
http://www.quarterbore.com/images/ar...ingfix-006.jpgI have read this reposted a few places and it always buggs me that he says a .5mm allen and than takes a picture of a .050in allen:shaking:

I think it'd be great as an option. It's that spring and the front pivot spring pin that kills me...at least when building a gun.

I do not really see the point of it unless you change stocks often.

I do not really see the point of it unless you change stocks often.

Which is exactly the reason Pete needs to label it "tactical" or something stupid like that to sell to arfcommer type retards for a tidy profit.

If doing it as a standard, I could see the inverse of the guys that want it, complaining about the anodizing having been damaged, and that somehow devaluing the lower.

I'd say to offer it as an small-upcharge-option--the guys who want it but are scared to turn a tap (yes, they're out there) will probably pay $10 extra for something that takes you a minute and costs you a dime.

I'd say to offer it as an small-upcharge-option--the guys who want it but are scared to turn a tap (yes, they're out there) will probably pay $10 extra for something that takes you a minute and costs you a dime.

My thoughts exactly.

Maybe you could consider selling a "kit" to do this with, I think I would rather order small parts like that from you than to hunt them down locally.
________
CoedCutie (http://www.girlcamfriend.com/cam/CoedCutie/)

Which is exactly the reason Pete needs to label it "tactical" or something stupid like that to sell to arfcommer type retards for a tidy profit.

Right, so if you are in the middle of a tactical combat situation and you need to quickly change from your tactical CQB stock to tactical long range sniper stock. You can do so without worrying about loosing your rear detent and rear detent spring. I think that at least 10 dollars could be made off of this upgrade. Just make sure that you use a titanium set screw so that the weight of the lower is not increased.:)

Right, so if you are in the middle of a tactical combat situation and you need to quickly change from your tactical CQB stock to tactical long range sniper stock. You can do so without worrying about loosing your rear detent and rear detent spring. I think that at least 10 dollars could be made off of this upgrade. Just make sure that you use a titanium set screw so that the weight of the lower is not increased.:)

:laughing:
Are you in marketing?

Whats next? A snap ring for the buffer retaining pin?

:laughing:
Are you in marketing?

No, I was just trying to make up something absurd and funny while thinking about the arfcom types.

know anyone who does?

I used to, back before I had multiple lower options :homer:

IMO Pete, don't waste your time with it. You will end up spending a large amount of time on something most wont even notice because youra verage idiot doesnt take shit apart themselves. If you are gonna do it, charge $15-20 as an option.

Whats next? A snap ring for the buffer retaining pin?

That is something I wanted to say in that post on ARF.

Course I could make a slot in the retainer, and then drill and tap a hole in from the trigger well and install a set screw. The slot would allow the detent to go up and down but not come out.

Alright so where should I go to get 4 or 5 of these set screws?

Alright so where should I go to get 4 or 5 of these set screws?

Your local Ace Hardware, where they'll be insanely expensive for what they are, but you can buy just four or five. Pretty much anywhere that you can get them at a reasonable price, you'll have to buy a box (100) and probably pay shipping as well. Better off just paying Ace's 800% markup and getting only what you need, right away, unless you have a lot of ARs to do this to.

I bought a box a while back... I'd offer to send you some, but it'll cost more to send them than it will to just buy some locally. :laughing:

Your local Ace Hardware, where they'll be insanely expensive for what they are, but you can buy just four or five. Pretty much anywhere that you can get them at a reasonable price, you'll have to buy a box (100) and probably pay shipping as well. Better off just paying Ace's 800% markup and getting only what you need, right away, unless you have a lot of ARs to do this to.

I bought a box a while back... I'd offer to send you some, but it'll cost more to send them than it will to just buy some locally. :laughing:

I'll go looking tomorrow afternoon... If I strike out, I'll shoot you a PM :laughing:

Cool, a necro thread.:laughing::laughing:


Whats next? A snap ring for the buffer retaining pin?

That shit would have actually saved me a buffer retainer and spring (cheap I know.):laughing::laughing:

When I got my AR, unknown history of use, it had loose gas key retaining screws which is the main reason it was unreliable to previous owner, and unknown to me at the time a badly installed/aligned buffer tube.

After about two magazines through it it started acting all kinds of stupid and doing weird stuff. Popped the upper off and out falls the buffer retaining pin and a mangled spring.

Easy enough to replace, but I bet you could sell the tactical angle on those as well as the tapped hole for the rear takedown detent spring.

Aloha, thanks for the idea of a slotted buffer retainer and a set screw. :beer:

A brief side note: The main shaft spring on a kids Snoopy fishing pole is the perfect diameter for a buffer retaining pin spring. You just need to cut a few loops off of the spring for proper height.:smokin::smokin:

Alright so where should I go to get 4 or 5 of these set screws?

Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xi4/Ntk-All/Ntt-4-40%2Bset%2Bscrew/h_d2/Navigation?langId=-1&storeId=10051&Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&style=B&catalogId=10053) shows a fairly decent assortment of various set screws. They do not show a specific 4-40 online, but may have them in the store. Looks to be about $00.50 a piece on average.

I'd offer to send you some, but it'll cost more to send them than it will to just buy some locally. :laughing:

I can't imagine it would cost more than standard postage to toss a few of them in an envelope and drop them in the mail.:confused:

Where does one aquire extra springs w/o having to buy an entire kit?

Where does one aquire extra springs w/o having to buy an entire kit?

Pete may be able to help you out, if not, then Brownell's sells individual parts. I usually throw a few small parts in with an order just to have spares. Gas rings, detents, springs, etc, only adds a few dollars to an order, but can be a life saver when you lose or break something.

McMaster for the setscrews. Like $3 for a box of 100. I can wait 3 days.

Forgot to add Fastenal if I can't wait.

I've done this mod to all of my lowers. While it cost me the tap + the screws + the shipping time, it was worth the money to not have to worry about monkeying with the springs during the assembly process. It also allows me to fully assemble a stripped lower with just an LPK and not having to bag the "spare parts" and stash them in a drawer somewhere, which was definitely worth it.

Honestly, it's one of those "dumb" mods that I could certainly live without, but it makes life just a tad bit easier...and I think it's worth it.

Alright so TSC does not carry a 4-40 set screw... Nor does the girl that work there know what a set screw is LOL. They did have some other size set screws, just no 4-40.

Now my other question for you all... What type of tap should I get? Taper, plug or bottom? I'm ordering my scope from Midway and their taps are only $2.19 so I figured I'd just toss one in the order.

Taper worked fine for me, but it was what I had on hand.

I'd go with a plug tap, but the taper would work fine, as long as you go deep enough. Careful with the tap.

That's what I did with mine- just went slow and made a couple of test fits so I didn't go too deep.

Also, a little grease in the flutes of the tap will catch your shavings and make a clean job of it.

Is this useful or a complete waste of time?

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=381209

Just wonder if its something I should offer on the lowers I build.

usefull
ttt bump , maybe others want to find this, I think we need a FAQ with links, at least an AR, AK, Glock FAQ:flipoff2:
just ordered 100 set screws from my supplier with my other screw order
will do all mt ar's, got 4 , 2 rifles 1 pistil & 4 80% :eek:
going to build 2 more ar pistols, bought a 223 sun devil
others will be 223 & 9mm

usefull
ttt bump , maybe others want to find this, I think we need a DAQ with links, at least an AR, AK, Glock FAQ:flipoff2:
just ordered 100 set screws from my supplier with my other screw order
will do all mt ar's, got 4 , 2 refles 1 pistil & 4 80% :eek:
going to build 2 more ar pistols, bought a 223 sundevil
others will be 223 & 9mm


Started drinking early today I see.:flipoff2:

Started drinking early today I see.:flipoff2:

typing with lights off,lol
I'll fix that & edit will not even show;)

see fixed
& I don't drink,lol