how to remove ejection port cover rod from Maccabee SLR?

[BCreserveMP]

Okay, I need a hand.

The way the ejection port cover rod seats in the Maccabee, it doesn't require C-clips. It seats in the receiver at the rear end, and flush with the front end of the housing. The barrel nut and/or handguard keep it from moving forward and falling out.

I am trying to remove mine, but there is no part of the rod that's accessible. I can't get a purchase on it.. I tried rapping the receiver with a soft hammer and tapping the muzzle repeatedly on the floor in the hope the rod would move forward enough to grab onto, but no luck.

Anyone have a simple solution?

 

[Dileas Gu Brath]

I haven’t got mine yet. So unfortunately haven’t had a look to see if I could come up with an idea to help. But perhaps you could give me a tip on the build. When tightening your barrel but, did you use a regular AR 15 vise block? This is my first build so I’m a complete newbie to this.

 

[Donkin]

I used a very fine pair of needle nose pliers, carefully working on the rod where the spring is.

 

[Brots]

I did the same a Donkin. Needle nose pliers between the spring and dust cover itself. Carefully moved a millimeter at a time. Once the rod was poking out the end a couple millimeters I was able to pull it out completely with needle nose pliers. Hope that helps...

 

[BCreserveMP]

I did the same a Donkin. Needle nose pliers between the spring and dust cover itself. Carefully moved a millimeter at a time. Once the rod was poking out the end a couple millimeters I was able to pull it out completely with needle nose pliers. Hope that helps...

Thanks to you and to Donkin. Will be trying that tonight. I tried threading dental floss to get some "grab" but it didn't work.

 

[BCreserveMP]

I haven’t got mine yet. So unfortunately haven’t had a look to see if I could come up with an idea to help. But perhaps you could give me a tip on the build. When tightening your barrel but, did you use a regular AR 15 vise block? This is my first build so I’m a complete newbie to this.

It was my first build as well. I used the vise block that fits in the magwell. If you haven't got one of those cut a short piece of wood around the same size as a 20rd mag.

As others have said, just like any AR build, take your time, and do it somewhere you won't lose the tiny bits.

Seems people are having varying degrees of fitment issues. I have a later serial number where it appears most of the bugs were worked out. The opening for the safety selector was a little tight. Careful filing combined with polishing the barrel of the switch until it fit perfectly. Had to grind the sides of the bolt catch release a little bit. That could be from the receiver being too tight, or the (cheap) bolt catch and safety being a little big. Or a combination of both.

No biggie, though. Just be patient and don't force anything. The biggest PITA with this or any other black gun build is the damned roll pins. Having a proper set of punches makes it much, much easier.

If you want the easiest route, this is a must-have piece of kit:

Wheeler Engineering AR Roll Pin Tool Kit

https://www.cabelas.com/product/WHEELER-AR-ROLL-PIN-TOOL/2215516.uts

Or if not that a simple roll pin punch set will still help.

I already had one of these (Knipex pliers #86 03 250) which is really good for driving the roll pins in the gas block and trigger guard. I got mine at Home Depot a couple of years ago for about $60

https://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=art_detail&parentID=1368&groupID=1500&artID=2959