AR 15 Dust cover pin retention Q

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OK, had a YH free float tube put on my AR. The barrel nut is ventilated, so has many holes in it. Interestingly enough, I completely missed the fact that the pin which keeps the dust cover on was retained using the old barrel nut by just pushing against it. Now there is a conveniently aligned hole in the barrel nut which allows the dust cover pin to slide forward freely! yay...

So at Borden yesterday, it moved far enough forward for me to lose the spring from the dust cover. :rolleyes:

Question:

I'm sure there are pins that are self retaining with some type of c clip or something? Any suggestions on how to keep the pin from sliding forward? Easy fix would be to plug the hole I suppose, but was hoping for a better fix.

Thoughts?
 
Yes, pins are generally retained by a c-clip unless the delta ring barrel nut method is used. That is how my Norc is held. My DPMS has the clip on the forward end of the pin, or else it would follow your pin through the vents in my barrel nut.

Is your pin relieved for a clip? If not, you will need a new pin too

The next question is, do you even need a dust cover? It seems unnecessary to me for a range gun but I could be wrong.
 
Well, it's nice to have, if for nothing else than to keep the dirt that blows around more or less out of the receiver. Especially when I run my bolt pretty "wet". The pin does have one end that will accept a C clip, although I don't recall there ever being one on the unit. It's always been held in place by the barrel nut. I'll run it without it until I find a proper solution however.

I guess I'll need to find one that is held on both ends with c clips to prevent it moving to far in either direction.
In the meantime, I'll use duct tape to cover the opening on the receiver when needed.. :D
 
Factory AR's ship with pins that are grooved for ONE C-clip that fits on the forward end of the port cover hinge. The idea is that the delta ring prevents the pin from flying forward and the C-clip prevents it from coming out the back under the case deflector.

If the YHM end cap has a hole where you need the pin to be retained, you'll have to either mod the pin to install a second C-clip on the back end, or plug the hole in the YHM guard. It would be easy to tap the hole and install a plug screw in the worst case.

Which YHM tube are you using? The new diamond float version, or one of the other ones?
 
The "proper" fix would be to get Questar or Armseast or someone to sell you a second C-clip, chuck the pin up in the lathe and carefully cut a new annular retention ring so that it's clipped at both ends. Definitely the most elegant solution that only requires the modification of a $2 pin as opposed to your $150 quad rail ;)
 
You guys are thinking too complicated. Here's the "easy" solution.

The pin is long enough that if you slide the pin back by 1/8" so the slit for the c-clip is located between the front of the dust cover and the rear of the front hinge hole and then install the c-clip, the pin will not move forward nor rearward.

However, it will be difficult to remove the c-clip at a later date if you want to remove the dust cover for any reason.

Don't try to install the pin from the rear. The case deflector is in the way and you'll bend the pin to get it past the deflector.
 
Last edited:
Bolivar said:
Maybe Claven can reach into his parts bit and grab you a pin, machine the grove and you two can trade pins?

I am entirely aware that I am volunteering Claven for work that I will not be part of. I hate being an idea guy some times.
Click to expand...



LOL

Not fair...



However.. I LIKE your idea! :D

:D

Of course I'd be willing to shell out the appropriate amount of beer, or other preferred beverage for said milling...

Considering I'm not to far away.. ;)
 
LOL... The only pins I have on hand are installed on rifles! If you're near Ottawa though, you can bring your upper over and I'll machine it for you after measuring off your rifle. The upper forgings are a little different from one another depending which forge made it.

Alternatively, if you have a gunsmith nearby.... probably a $5 job.
 
Have you guys not understood my post? You can prevent your existing pin from moving without any extra parts or milling or what not.

Just install the clip between the port door and the hinge instead of after the hinge.
 
I would use a VISE and squeeze the end of the pin that gets inserted last so that it can no longer pass through; C-Clip the other end and you are set.
 
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