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Serenity now!![]() |
I bought a lower a couple of years ago to build into a pistol, and now those PSA complete pistol kits are looking pretty tempting. I've watched a few videos, and I'm pretty sure I could assemble the lower, but I'm wondering what the minimum necssary tools are to do the job? Also, for those of you who have built lowers before, do you stake the castle nut? Do you just use a punch? Any help and advice is appreciated Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice. ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ | ||
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The main thing is getting the bolt catch roll pin installed and you'll need a set of good punches.
Geissele.com for a roll pin punch, eBay for the vice block. A couple of years ago I was able to buy a very nice set of punches from BRD Engineering but they don't sell them anymore ![]() ...let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one. Luke 22:35-36 NAV "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16 NASV | |||
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This is all I used to assemble my first lower. ![]() I've bought some tools along the way since then. I just snugged the nut down with a punch and hammer. | |||
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Still finding my way![]() |
Channel lock and a pocket screwdriver. Might be a bit more minimal than you meant though. ![]() | |||
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sick puppy |
I live just up the road from you - would always be happy to lend you my punch set and AR wrench if you want to try before you buy your own, so to speak. I don't have much but, like you said, the minimum necessary - simple things, but I've assembled a few lowers in my days. I've never staked a castle nut, though. ____________________________ While you may be able to get away with bottom shelf whiskey, stay the hell away from bottom shelf tequila. - FishOn | |||
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Serenity now!![]() |
Thanks for the offer. I'd like to get the tools to have on hand in case I need to fix something and the zombies are attacking Alpine ![]() Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice. ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ | |||
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sick puppy |
Of course. I just picked up the two-punch AR set - the ones with the half-circle shaped handles so the flat side can go against the lower - and the Magpul AR wrench from Cabela's. That's really all I use for assembling lowers. That and a small hammer to hit the punch with. ____________________________ While you may be able to get away with bottom shelf whiskey, stay the hell away from bottom shelf tequila. - FishOn | |||
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Note the taped Channel Locks in Powermad pic. Push roll pins in with Channel Locks. Punches help to align the holes. Geiselle makes a nice Armour's kit which goes on sale every Black Friday. The Geiselle Trigger punch is useful-especially with a "guide" trigger pin. | |||
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Life's too short to live by the rules |
These are a little expensive, but worth the money for installing the bolt catch and trigger guard pins. https://www.amazon.com/Knipex-...ps%2C187&sr=8-2&th=1 Yes, they can be done with a roll pin punch and hammer, but the Kinpex pliers make life so much easier. You'll also need a razor blade to compress and hold the front takedown spring and pin down in the hole while you slide the takedown pin into position. The rubber end of an unsharpened pencil makes pushing the mag catch into the receiver far enough to tighten the catch up. As far as staking the castle nut. It's pretty easy. I just use a center punch, either my spring loaded one or just a hammer and the steel center punch. Give it a couple of good taps and it moves just enough metal. Of the 8 or so I've built, I think I've only ever staked maybe 2 or 3. And that was just to see how it went. Never had a problem with a castle nut coming loose. | |||
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I'm pretty sure lkdr1898 was meaning to write vise and not vice, but then again maybe not. ![]() Brownell's is a great place to get the tools and the instruction videos. | |||
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Plowing straight ahead come what may![]() |
A magazine vise block makes it easier...this one reasonably priced with quick shipping... https://www.plastixrevolution....-receiver-vise-block A 1/4" clevis pin from the hardware store makes installing the front takedown pin a snap... https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-...Pin-815418/204276164 As for Armorers wrenches just be aware that the Magpul wrench will not work on a pistol buffer tube (if you choose to use a pistol tube over the rifle) because of the larger diameter of the tube...the Magpul is not open ended...I've got the Tapco wrench and it works fine... https://www.brownells.com/guns...-tool-prod54530.aspx The two piece punch set that PorterN mentioned earlier works well for installing the bolt catch...the ones I have are plastic coated but I still use blue painters masking tape to protect the lower's finish as an extra precaution... https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler...858&s=gateway&sr=8-5 ******************************************************** "we've gotta roll with the punches, learn to play all of our hunches Making the best of what ever comes our way Forget that blind ambition and learn to trust your intuition Plowing straight ahead come what may And theres a cowboy in the jungle" Jimmy Buffet | |||
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Serenity now!![]() |
Thank you for the links - very helpful. Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice. ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ | |||
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Page late and a dollar short |
A large Ziplock bag to assemble the lower in. Helps to contain any parts that want to leap out during installation. -------------------------------------—————— ————————--Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even, usually, surpassing knowledge(E.J.Potter, A.K.A. The Michigan Madman) | |||
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Purveyor of Death and Destruction ![]() |
Get the magpul wrench. Its worth the money. Put some electrical tape on the lower when you tap in the roll pin for the bolt catch. It will prevent the lower from getting scratched. Be careful when you install the trigger guard. The little ears that the roll pin goes in are known to break. | |||
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No place to go and all day to get there ![]() |
A one gallon ziplock bag. You will thank me. Opps, sorry shovelhead, I scanned the replies a little to quickly. Just another day in paradise. NRA Georgia Carry | |||
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I'd suggest as a minimum a good set of punches, a gunsmith hammer and a castle nut wrench. I use my punch set, gunsmith hammer anytime I work on any gun. Extra credit for the Magpul wrench and an upper/lower vice block set. I also use a set of screw driver and allen tips made for gunsmithing all the time. I stake my castle nuts 'cause it's easy and why not? I just use a pointed center punch and whack it a bunch with my gunsmith hammer which is a bit light for the job, but it won't over-do it! I've assembled a bunch of lowers, but each time I do, I don;t rely on memory. I pull up a youtube video to make 100% sure I'm doing certain steps right. “People have to really suffer before they can risk doing what they love.” –Chuck Palahnuik Be harder to kill: https://preparefit.ck.page | |||
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For me the minimum tools necessary is something to do the grip screw. That's pretty hard to overcome. Normally its a screwdriver, but it may be an allen wrench. I've done it with nothing but a screwdriver. After that everything else can be improvised. Me I'm happy with 1. a punch 2. a small hammer 3. something 1/4"od with a hole for the takedown pin (*I make these, but a clevis pin works). “So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.” | |||
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If you are going to buy a castle nut wrench; please look at the Hammerhead brand wrench. It's the best I've seen/used! I also make most of my lower receiver tools (have a mill and lathe). I've made a bunch of most helpful but not really necessary AR assembly tools. For instance, made a press to install the trigger guard pin, etc. However, i'll never break a t. guard ear If you're sure you'll never ever,ever do but one lower --- then by all means go the slow tedious "improvised tool" route. Acquire the "proper" tools and make lower receiver assembly a swift, sure, frustration free process! You will reduce the danger of scratching/scarring your receiver too. Yes, assembly can be made with absolutely no special tools and a great deal of patience and improvisation/ingenuity! Best of luck,whichever way you go. ------------------------------------------------------------ "I have resolved to fight as long as Marse Robert has a corporal's guard, or until he says give up. He is the man I shall follow or die in the attempt." Feb. 27, 1865 Letter by Sgt. Henry P. Fortson 'B' Co. 31st GA Vol. Inf. | |||
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Forward Controls castle nut wrench is my go-to. Its a 2- and 3-prong wrench to fit bare castle nuts or those partially blocked by a larger end plate/QD setup. It's a smaller tool to be used with a breaker bar or torque wrench. I have one of the generic AR combo wrenches that I used for several years before getting the one from Forward Controls, it's garbage in comparison. http://www.forwardcontrolsdesi...ut-Wrench_p_129.html | |||
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Wait, what?![]() |
VERY important if you don't want your first project to look like your first project. Don't be shy; protect everything from the bolt catch projection to the rear where the buffer tube screws in. Staking can be accomplished by any hardened steel tool with an appropriately sized tip. A punch will do fine, but if you want it to look like a factory job, by all means buy a staking tool. “Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown | |||
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