Takedown pin spring and detent replacement

[aguablanco]

Only Eugene Stoner hasn't lost one of those pins. The rest of us have probably lost more than one. The good news is, you'll probably never lose another one. I do believe the AR detents are a tad bigger, not bad, just a little more pressure. The other tough part is not bending the spring when reinstalling. BTW, I have never heard anyone say one's firearm is too clean. I clean all my guns after each session, and I even clean a clean gun when it has been in the safe for awhile and I am going to shoot it. This is one of the best things about this forum. Mostly non-judgemental advice and support.
RichH

 

[CDRJED]

Lost Take Down Pin

The gun smith's cat got the take down pin. He then fabricated one (yes he has the equipment) but it was loose. I wrote to S&W and they sent a replacement. The smith then found the original. I compared it with the one S&W sent. They were different. I compared the one S&W sent with the ones in my AR-15s. They were the same! I am not talking about the detent pin.

 

[Locked-N-Loaded]

Interesting follow up....

So, I just got done swapping out the stock takedown pin for an extended takedown pin (run them on all of my AR platforms). Upon pulling the 15-22 takedown pin, it is totally different. OD is same, but it is slightly different length, different design, different grove placements. However, that being said, an AR15 extended takedown pin did in fact fit and work

See for yourself. This shows a stock Ar15 pin versus the 15-22 pin - different. I put in an extended takedown pin (not shown), but this still clearly shows the variance in design.

 

[CDRJED]

Take Down Pin

Yep, good picture!

 

[Locked-N-Loaded]

Yeah. more or less the groves on the 15-22 pin line up with detent holes on the AR15 pin - but still very different designs. The 15-22 is technically a smarter design as then the pin can spin freely and be used in any universal position whereas an AR15 pin must go in a certain way to lineup with the detent pins.

 

[Daviscc]

I have just ordered a new grip and am so glad I read this thread. You probably saved me a lot of emabarrasing questions at a later date.

 

[Majorlk]

I have just ordered a new grip and am so glad I read this thread. You probably saved me a lot of emabarrasing questions at a later date.

Just know that, if you drop something, you will not be the first, and definitely not the last, one to do so. It's a really big club with lots of members.

 

[Maddmax]

I have just ordered a new grip and am so glad I read this thread. You probably saved me a lot of emabarrasing questions at a later date.

Just take you time taking off the old one and installing the new one. Before you install,leave the springs out and test fit it. Some go on at a slight angle,some will go straight up and in.

 

[Majorlk]

Just take you time taking off the old one and installing the new one. Before you install,leave the springs out and test fit it. Some go on at a slight angle,some will go straight up and in.

Additionally, work with the rifle laying on its side and remove the pistol grip screw sloooowly and watch the springs as you remove the grip.

 

[OldEagleEars]

I didn't loose either the springs or the pins when I changed out my grip but not for lack of trying! I'd had the gun less than a week and hated the stock pistol grip so much that I went to Cabela's and bought a CAA grip after the second range session. As I worked to get that flippin' screw out of the thing so the grip would come off, I noticed the little springs through the gap as I lifted the grip body. Fair warning and I was prepared to catch them when separation was achieved. I was NOT prepared for the hassle of re-installing the damn things when I put the new grip on! I was mad enough to toss the little buggers across the room at one point. An hour and many tries later they were on correctly and the new grip was cradling my hand. Learning gunsmithing through ignorance is no fun!

 

[Dikinalaska]

I didn't loose either the springs or the pins when I changed out my grip but not for lack of trying! I'd had the gun less than a week and hated the stock pistol grip so much that I went to Cabela's and bought a CAA grip after the second range session. As I worked to get that flippin' screw out of the thing so the grip would come off, I noticed the little springs through the gap as I lifted the grip body. Fair warning and I was prepared to catch them when separation was achieved. I was NOT prepared for the hassle of re-installing the damn things when I put the new grip on! I was mad enough to toss the little buggers across the room at one point. An hour and many tries later they were on correctly and the new grip was cradling my hand. Learning gunsmithing through ignorance is no fun!

After a couple of these experiences, I started youtubing things I had questions about. Pretty helpful.

 

[Maddmax]

Only Eugene Stoner hasn't lost one of those pins. The rest of us have probably lost more than one.

I wouldn't put money on either one of those bets.

 

[Maddmax]

Additionally, work with the rifle laying on its side and remove the pistol grip screw sloooowly and watch the springs as you remove the grip.

If I remember right,lay it on it's starboard side. Myself,I held the grip tight to the lower and removed the screw,then slowly worked off the hand grip.

 

[Majorlk]

If I remember right,lay it on it's starboard side. Myself,I held the grip tight to the lower and removed the screw,then slowly worked off the hand grip.

Port side - the left side for landlubbers.

 

[sound wave]

i bought a metal safety selector detent today at my LGS. the salesman asked me if i lost mine. i told him i was going to swap my plastic pin from the 15-22 to the metal AR one.

he advised me against it, saying that eventually the metal pin could wear a groove into the plastic safety selector switch. has anyone run into that problem or heard of it happening?

 

[Majorlk]

i bought a metal safety selector detent today at my LGS. the salesman asked me if i lost mine. i told him i was going to swap my plastic pin from the 15-22 to the metal AR one.

he advised me against it, saying that eventually the metal pin could wear a groove into the plastic safety selector switch. has anyone run into that problem or heard of it happening?

There's already a grove in the selector shaft; that's what keeps it in place. I don't think your guy knows what he's talking about.

No particular need to go to a metal detent, for that matter. Most folks who go to the metal selector do so because they want the ambi convenience and/or the ability to change the shape of the lever. I've never seen a complaint here that they wore out the polymer selector, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

 

[sound wave]

hey thanks again! eh, i guess i will just leave it as-is. appreciate the help.

well, at least now i have a back up pin in case i lose my stock one.

 

[Majorlk]

hey thanks again! eh, i guess i will just leave it as-is. appreciate the help.

well, at least now i have a back up pin in case i lose my stock one.

Spares are always good ...