View Full Version : I think I'll get a different LPK next time
Just got done assembling my first lower. Overall I was surprised at how easy it was. The hardest thing for me was listed as one of the easy steps. Installing the trigger guard. The back pin (From a Stag kit) must have been too big as I really had to hammer it to get it in. It's a miracle I didn't break the lower ear off. It still isn't all the way flush as I probally took off a mm or two by using so much force.
My next LPK will be a ?
maybe a G&R? I have heard good things on these.
Or a DD? I would think because there AR's are mil spec...maybe their LPK's are also. Although is there even such a thing as a mil spec LPK?
Dpms, rra and Cmmg have all worked for me. It wasn't too bad with the right tools.
I'd prefer to get a dpms because they are cheaper at $50 bucks
SeriousStudent
05-30-10, 21:40
I have used four of the G&R lower parts kits, all with good results. The pins are definitely the right size.
Specialized Armament and Brownells do sell Colt LPK's. They are, however, about twice the cost.
There have been a couple of threads on the DD kits.
If you do ever bust a lower installing a trigger guard, Magpul makes a MIAD grip that will help you out.
Good luck to you on your next build. You will build another, of course. ;)
Heavy Metal
05-30-10, 21:48
I grease the pins before I drive them and I support the ears on the trigger guard with a block of wood.
I've used CMMG (dpms) which seemed to have way oversized pins. Daniel Defense kits went in much easier. Now that Grant has his custom LPKs in stock again, I will buy them from now on.
The trigger guard pin in my Stag kit was far too large for my lower as well. Strange how arguably the least important pin wants to be the most securely engaged :rolleyes:
I decreased the radius a bit with some sanding, and it eventually went in without destroying anything.
Why do you think the LPK was the source of the trouble? You didn't mention anything about the lower: EVERY Stag LPK I have used was COMPLETELY suitable; the last two Stag lowers & LPK's I have used have been the best I have ever seen. I'm thinking that your problem is 'lower related'. Good advice from the members advising you to 'grease' the pins B4 installation; hard to believe that anybody would assemble a new gun without doing that. Mixing components from various manufacturers exposes the end-user to the possibility that components will present fitment issues. I am all for user-build; but there is a lot to be said for [I]researching[I] components before buying.
Why do you think the LPK was the source of the trouble? You didn't mention anything about the lower: EVERY Stag LPK I have used was COMPLETELY suitable; the last two Stag lowers & LPK's I have used have been the best I have ever seen.
While I can't speak for the OP, I used a Stag LPK in a Stag stripped lower receiver. Someone I know used Grant's LPK in their Stag lower as well and it went in easier than mine did for them.
Now, we're dealing with relatively small sample sizes here, and either the lower or the LPK were at fault, however I've personally seen more issues related to poor QC'd kits than the lowers themselves.
ohiorifleman
05-31-10, 18:49
I know my small sample size (app. 50 Builds) isn't enough to be the end all to this question but I have found the Trigger guard roll pin to be the most offensive part in a lot of LPK's- DPMS especially- since moving to higher quality builds once I got the parts is parts myth out of my head I have since seen much better quality individual components coming in the Daniel Defense Kits, and Armalite Kits.
Here's how I would rate kits I have personally used:
1. Daniel Defense
2. Armalite
3. White Oak Armament (I believe they are rebadged RRA)
3. Rock River
4. J&T/Doublestar
5. DPMS
6. Fulton Armory ( I believe it is rebadged DPMS)
My next personal rifle will have a G&R Kit in it because 2,000 M4CNet Kool-aid drinkers can't be wrong:D
I had a similar issue installing my trigger guard pin that came with my Sully trigger guard. I was too mechanically retarded to know there was a roll pin starter, so I tapped and tapped and tapped until I became nearly insane...Oh yeah, the pin would slip, fly across my workbench, onto the floor...I crawled around looking for it with a headlamp and a magnet. Then someone much wiser than I told me to (A) take the pin and pinch it in my vise a bit and (B) grease it....Whaddayaknow - tapped it right in. Since then, the proper tools made that issue disappear.
crowkiller
05-31-10, 20:15
Just got done assembling my first lower. Overall I was surprised at how easy it was. The hardest thing for me was listed as one of the easy steps. Installing the trigger guard. The back pin (From a Stag kit) must have been too big as I really had to hammer it to get it in. It's a miracle I didn't break the lower ear off. It still isn't all the way flush as I probally took off a mm or two by using so much force.
My next LPK will be a ?
maybe a G&R? I have heard good things on these.
Or a DD? I would think because there AR's are mil spec...maybe their LPK's are also. Although is there even such a thing as a mil spec LPK?
Had the same issue with the roll pin that came with my Enhanced Trigger Guard and my Stag lower. When I finally drove the pin home I noticed some of the finish flaking out from inside the hole so maybe thats why or maybe its normal for it to be a tight fit. I dont know but I wouldnt necessarily blame the Stag lpk.
I like the G&R lpk they are good people and you can trust them.
I used a essential arms lower which i haven't heard anything negative about. I also dont see how adding a little grease would have helped considering the force I had to apply to seat the pin.
lethal dose
05-31-10, 20:41
G and R carries a solid lpk. Remember, support those ears with a block of wood and put electrical tape on your reciever where you'll be driving the pins in if you don't wanna mar your finish.
Use the right tool for the job. Roll pin starter punches (the female punch) don't cost a lot and really help.
Roll pin punches (the punches with the little numb sticking out the face) don't cost a lot and once started, make the roll pins go in easy without slipping, marring surfaces, etc.
Again, getting the right tools for building ARs is not expensive and saves a lot of aggravation.
Brownells carries all these tools plus a lot of specialist tools that you don't really need. But the roll pin punches (both starter and normal) should be in everyone's toolbox IMNSHO.
Chad
AlliedArmory
06-01-10, 06:36
CMMG and DD LPKs have worked well for me.
I've used mostly CMMG, but for a bit more money, I've decided G&R for future builds.
Remember911
06-01-10, 18:34
stag is the only lpk i use and have never had any truble.:p
Use the right tool for the job. Roll pin starter punches (the female punch) don't cost a lot and really help.
Roll pin punches (the punches with the little numb sticking out the face) don't cost a lot and once started, make the roll pins go in easy without slipping, marring surfaces, etc.
Again, getting the right tools for building ARs is not expensive and saves a lot of aggravation.
Brownells carries all these tools plus a lot of specialist tools that you don't really need. But the roll pin punches (both starter and normal) should be in everyone's toolbox IMNSHO.
Chad
Don't forget Sears/ Craftsman sells roll pin sets of both kinds , too. :o
I'm having second thoughts...
The stag has the pistol grip included. The G&R doesn't. So getting the G&R and a grip would be around $100 while I could get the Stag LPK and grip for $65. Hopefully I just got a dud roll pin in my last Stag kit. Everything else went smooth.
i've only assemblied one lower and used a CMMG lpk. I was dreading putting the trigger guard pin in, but I greased the pin and used a vice grip to press the pin in, it went in a smooth as butter.
Ya know, I'm really surprised nobody ever thinks to use a drill press to push pins in and out like an arbor press. :rolleyes: It works pretty well. Just support the lower with a block of wood and use the jaws or a backward drill to push pins.
Army Chief
06-06-10, 20:17
That surprises me about the Stag LPKs; usually they are good to go.
AC
Why do you think the LPK was the source of the trouble? You didn't mention anything about the lower: EVERY Stag LPK I have used was COMPLETELY suitable; the last two Stag lowers & LPK's I have used have been the best I have ever seen. I'm thinking that your problem is 'lower related'. Good advice from the members advising you to 'grease' the pins B4 installation; hard to believe that anybody would assemble a new gun without doing that. Mixing components from various manufacturers exposes the end-user to the possibility that components will present fitment issues. I am all for user-build; but there is a lot to be said for [I]researching[I] components before buying.
We have noticed that some of the lower receivers have properly sized holes but the anodizing process adds a bit of build-up and some times that is hard to control precisely. You get a double whammy in the hole as any build-up on the surface is essentially 'doubled', casing the pins to be difficult to be installed.
George
DeputyMend
06-08-10, 14:12
I had the exact same thing happen to me, but I was dumb and had left the end with the detent hooked in while I was hammering in the roll pin.
dancinzen@hotmail.com
06-08-10, 18:35
i broke off an ear on one of my lowers and am still trying to weld that puppy back on... now i just use the magpul grips with integrated trigger guard to avoid that ever happening again...
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