buffer retainer does not fit

[alltieear]

so i have a lower that im putting together. (got a replacement pivot pin detent)

now my new issue is that the buffer retainer does not fit in its according hole. It does not drop in freely. should i:

1) sand the retainer down to fit.
2) purchase a new retainer in hopes it will fit
3) get the retainer hole on the lower resized (this sounds pretty difficult, but will probably fix it forever)

 

[tharkhold]

Can you confirm that the lower isnt the issue first? Much easier to get a new/sand/modify smaller part than the actual receiver.

 

[Greenhorse six]

What lower are you using ?

 

[alltieear]

Can you confirm that the lower isnt the issue first? Much easier to get a new/sand/modify smaller part than the actual receiver.

how do i confirm if the reciever is not the issue? measure the retainer hole?

 

[tharkhold]

how do i confirm if the reciever is not the issue? measure the retainer hole?

that's a good start.. we can compare notes with others here

 

[DILLIGAF]

Just drill the hole, Thats what I do with painted lowers

 

[tharkhold]

Just drill the hole, Thats what I do with painted lowers

Good solution for things that are "NEA Spec"

 

[alltieear]

that's a good start.. we can compare notes with others here

issue is i dont have a set of calipers haha

 

[alltieear]

Just drill the hole, Thats what I do with painted lowers

what size bit do you use?

 

[tharkhold]

issue is i dont have a set of calipers haha

uh, put an known object size next to it and photo?

 

[Greenhorse six]

1/4inch will slide in easy .

what size bit do you use?

 

[Kratos]

what size bit do you use?

Before you modify anything:

What lower are you using? Is it painted/coated?
Who made the buffer detent pin? Is it for an AR15 or possibly an AR10? Did it come in an LPK?
Grab a set of $30 analog calipers at CT or Cabelas, makes this hobby much easier when building from different manufacturers.

 

[alltieear]

starts to go in, but gets stuck

 

[alltieear]

is the strength of the lower body of the retainer crucial?

i think its just easiest for me to sand down the retainer itself until it fits.

edit: also it is kind of a frankenstein build.

bcl lower, i think its cerakoted
dpms lpk, pretty sure it is ar-15. everything else fit

 

[Kratos]

BCL lower is mostly likely cerakoted, but I’d sand the detent slightly as drilling into a lower could end badly. BCL could be out of spec, I own NEA/BCL items and some required fitting. None have failed me (I’ll add yet for the haters lol). The DPMS LPK shouldn’t be out of spec.

 

[alltieear]

BCL lower is mostly likely cerakoted, but I’d sand the detent slightly as drilling into a lower could end badly. BCL could be out of spec, I own NEA/BCL items and some required fitting. None have failed me (I’ll add yet for the haters lol). The DPMS LPK shouldn’t be out of spec.

yeah i figure, i rather ruin a 3 dollar part than the whole lower if i do end up messing up.

thanks for the help everyone. ill sand this retainer down and hopefully finish the rest by tonight

 

[tharkhold]

1/4inch will slide in easy .

that's what she said.


Of the two ex-NEA AR15 lowers I had, I installed one and didnt have size issues... but I guess YMMV

 

[Trinimon]

Could be burrs from the thread causing the hang ups.

 

[alltieear]

so if anyone is need of a vernier caliper.

CT has the mastercraft for 13 bucks.

and the dpms buffer retainer is at 0.249 inches. so thats to spec

and the retainer hole is at 0###xx inches (nvm. cant get my calipers in there to fit properly)

 

[Greenhorse six]

so if anyone is need of a vernier caliper.

CT has the mastercraft for 13 bucks.

and the dpms buffer retainer is at 0.249 inches. so thats to spec

and the retainer hole is at 0###xx inches (nvm. cant get my calipers in there to fit properly)

1/4 inch drill bit = 0.25 inchs .
I just try it on a stripped Spikes lower , just fits .