You make really great, valid points. My only concern was because all the builds I’ve seen the roll pin is usually flush or almost, flush (or even protruding a little bit on the exiting end) and thought possibly it was a defective roll pin that was short. I’m not one of those psychotic OCD people where everything has to be perfect, I just wanted to make sure it would be strong enough for hard use etc., since I’ve never seen one that short and leave that much space. Aero told me its perfectly normal & that’s the way it should look. Maybe on their PDQ lowers the forward ear is longer thus making it look like it’s short, idk? I don’t care about each side being perfectly even, I just wanted to make sure the bolt catch part was covered sufficiently for use before I build it out etc.
I can tell you I’m seriously OCD about most things (I should truly seek therapy ;)) and I think you’re good, but if you feel the need I can’t fault you… Luckily it’s not a hard thing to do given the right 3/32 roll pin punch and proper support.
I know Colt’s split type bolt catch roll pins are indeed longer than my preferred coiled type bolt catch roll pins that I get from RRA. Colt’s usually come close to being even on both sides of the bolt catch. But the goal of the assemblers is to just get them flush or just below flush on the installation side… It’s plenty.
Some people can break a bowling ball in a sand box but I think they would be hard pressed to break that roll pin without catastrophically damaging the upper and lower receiver in the process. Being even or flush on one side makes no difference.
Of all the things to worry about on an AR, this is probably the absolute least likely to fail. The only exception to that would be if the roll pin was so short it was only supported on one side but that’s a problem with a too short roll pin, not the installation. Since your pin is long enough, it’s fine.
No, but close.
There is the grip screw, the upper butt stock screw, and later, when they added the butt trap, the lower butt stock screw.
When you move to the A2, a few set screws get added.
Reg roll pin punches will work but this is better! https://obsidianarms.com/product/ar-15-bolt-catch-pin-punch/ You can buy the single or get the set, awesome set with everything ya need. And pretty sure these are USA-made, win, win!
Yep, the Obsidian Arms is the best bolt catch roll pin punch, even better than Brownells.
Center the roll pin and it will be fine. Centering the roll pins was one of the common tasks people failed in the Colt armorer course.
Does a less than perfect roll pin mean the gun will break? Nope, clearly not, but if you start out with perfection as a goal you won’t do a partial installation of the pin as shown in your pics.
100% agree, like how you think.
Hey guys, just wanted to let you know I centered the split pin with a roll punch and now it’s perfectly aligned. I wanted to thank everyone who chimed in and gave their advice, I really appreciate it. It was easier than I had thought.
Now you’re ready to build an entire rifle. That’s nearly the most difficult task.