How to install an AR-15 Dust Cover

 

How to install an AR-15 Dust Cover
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This AR-15 Dust Cover Install was not hard.  While I have made a bunch of AR-15 lowers, I never attempted an upper build because I thought it was hard.  Once I did it I found out it was pretty easy.

You don’t need much in the way of tools.  All you really need is a pair of needle nose pliers.

This is pretty simple, but it took me a while to get it just right.

The video was only 3 minutes, it took me about 15 in real life.

Parts for a AR-15 Dust Cover Install:

  • Stripper Upper Receiver
  • Dust Cover
  • Dust Cover Pin
  • C-Clip (its tiny buy a couple)
  • Dust Cover Spring

Make sure you line the spring up correctly as you put the pin in.  I found this to be the hardest part.  I used the needle nose pliers to hold the spring in the right orientation as I put the pin through.

Installing an AR-15 Forward Assist into a Stripped Upper

AR 15 Forward Assist Install
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Installing an AR-15 Forward Assist into a Stripped Upper is pretty simple.  You don’t need much more than the parts a small punch and a hammer.  A file makes it easier, but it is not strictly necessary.

One thing to look out for when installing the forward assist is that it only works one way.  You must ensure the assist is orientated so that the tooth on the assist fits into the notches in the Bolt carrier so it will ratchet it closed when depressed.

AR-15 Forward Assist Parts:

  • Stripped AR-15 Upper
  • Forward Assist
  • Forward Assist Spring
  • Roll pin

I start the roll pin, but I don’t put it in deep enough to pass into the tube the assist rides in.  Running a file to dress the roll pin makes it easier to start.  If you have a roll pin holder you don’t need to do this.

Next I put the spring on the forward assist and drop the forward assist and spring in so that the cut out is orientated to catch on the roll pin.

Finish tapping in the roll pin and to make it catch the roll pin so it is not able to back out.

Finally, insert the Bolt carrier and latch and test your install by checking to see if the forward assist pushes the BCG forward.

Installing an AR-15 Single Point Sling Mount

Installing an AR-15 Single Point Sling Mount

How to install an AR-15 Dust Cover
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In this post I will show how I go about Installing an AR-15 Single Point Sling Mount.  This is an easy project that a new AR-15 owner can complete with little experience.

I think it is an easy thing to add to the gun, and even if you don’t always use a single point sling you can keep it without adding a lot of clutter and weight.

Personally I prefer a 2 point sling based upon my marksmanship training in the Marines, but many people prefer the one point sling.

To do this modification you don’t need much in the way of tools, but you will need a buffer tube wrench which is a specialty tool tool made for an AR-15.

Installing an AR-15 Single Point Sling Mount

  • First remove the stock.  In the one I have there is a long screw that holds it in place, others have a nut around the buffer tube.
  • As you remove the stock beware that there is a long skinny spring that holds the detent pin for your rear take-down.
    • Don’t let that spring shoot out or get kinked up.
  • Unscrew the buffer tube,
  • Next add your AR-15 Single Point Sling Mount it goes between the lower and the buffer tube.
  • Screw your buffer tube back in.  Take care to ensure you do not cross thread the fine aluminum threads.
  • As you must take care that the spring that holds the detent pin is pressed in straight and it does not get kinked.
  • Tighten the buffer tube hand tight.
  • Screw on the castle nut snug using the buffer tube wrench.

Why a Single Point Sling?

To conclude,  I don’t think a single point sling is appropriate for all occasion.  Most times I thing a two point sling is better.  However they work well when you are working around vehicles.  It allows you to drop the gun and go “hands on” without losing your gun.  However, a single point sling it is worthless for carrying a gun long term while hiking.  Finally, it does not support the rifle while shooting like a 2 point sling can.

Installing a YHM Spectre Two Piece AR-15 Gas Block

 

Installing a YHM Spectre Two Piece AR-15 Gas Block
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Two part gas blocks are not needed in the majority of instances, they are more complicated and a little more expensive than the standard gas blocks.

However, sometimes they serve a purpose.  Today I need to install a YHM Spectre Two Piece AR-15 Gas Block because I plan on permanently attaching a large flash hider to a barrel and I will not be able to slide the gas block off if I ever need to change barrels.

By welding on a flash suppressor the gas block cannot slide off, this means i cannot change or repair my gas system.

This is really the only reason I can see for a block like this.

It needs an Allen key and roll pins to install.  You also need a vise and a vise block to support the upper as the gas tube is pinned into the gas block.

The only difference between installing this two piece AR-15 gas block and a regular one piece gas block is that it does not slide on, it fits over the barrel and the four Allen keys are tightened to clamp the block to the barrel.

When tightening the Allen keys be sure to tighten them like you would with a tire.  Alternate the bolts and don’t got 1,2,3,4.

How to Install Elfman Tactical Anti-Rotation Pins in an AR-15 Lower

How to Install Elfman Tactical Anti-Rotation Pins in an AR-15 Lower

 

How to install an AR-15 Dust Cover
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Anti-Rotation Pins are normally not a necessary modification to an AR-15 lower, but their are some exceptions.  What the pins do is prevent the hammer and trigger pins in the AR-15 (or M-16) from rotating.  A steel pin in an aluminum receiver can rotate and elongate the holes.  This causes malfunctions and the destruction of a lower.

Normally the design of the pins prevents this, and a new lower doesn’t cost much more than the pins.  However, many people that own registered pre-1986 lowers for fully automatic AR pattern rifles add them because their lowers are irreplaceable.  If their lowers pins elongate they lost a machine gun.

I add one on my polymer lower because the hammer pins on mine wallowed out after less than a magazine worth of rounds.

One thing about installing the Elfman Tactical Anti-Rotation Pins in a freedom15 polymer AR-15 Lower, there is a strengthening rib molded on the lower that you will need to chisel off in order to install the anti-rotation pin.  It was not hard to do, but took a sharp chisel and permanently altered the lower.

I used to link directly to the item on Amazon so you could purchase it easily, but they have, in their infinite liberalism decided to remove firearm parts as they find them – they did this with tannerite also.