gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 1, 2014 Pivot pin sucks! First try? Pretty much. Watched two different videos and learned the "allen wrench" trick. Question....the ALG Defense trigger is already all assembled right? I'm watching some videos and they are talking about installing a spring with a flared end....I don't see that spring any where!!? Looks like I need to take off the disconnector from the trigger to install it? Edit - Yep...now it looke right . I was like "why isn't this thing slipping in!!"....It was becaue the trigger comes fully assembled and the pin trigger is too wide to slip into the body of the lower.....duh! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
checko 180 Posted June 1, 2014 No its not all together. Installs like a milspec trigger. Are you talking about the disconnector? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
checko 180 Posted June 1, 2014 Disconnector spring should have a flared end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 2, 2014 No its not all together. Installs like a milspec trigger. Are you talking about the disconnector? I have NO idea what I'm talking about...LOL. I'm certain mine can assembled. I had to take out the "Pin, Trigger" and "Pin, Hammer". Then slide the trigger in, set the disconnector on top of it, apply a little downward pressure to hold in place & line up the holes with the lower and tap the "Pin, Trigger" in to hold it place. I think the spring was attached to the hammer the wrong way when I received it....of course I'm blonde and could have been just looking at it the wrong way. After watching Sootch's video on how to put together a lower at around the 6:20 - 7 minute mark really helped: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nef57ftZbYA I finally got it. Honestly this was part of the installation took me much longer than the the Pivot Pin installation. PUshing down on the hammer to align it with the holdes on the lower and keeping the pressure on while sliding the "Pin, Hammer" through wasn't easy! It's in though and functions. On to the Safety Selector and Pistol Grip installation! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted June 2, 2014 Ya done yet. Not that hard. Just kidding. Remember to check trigger function, safety after installation. DON'T LET THE TRIGGER SMACK THE MAG WELL. Keep a finger on it. Do you have the extension tube and plate to hold in the detent and spring for the rear take down pin? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 2, 2014 Ya done yet. Not that hard. Just kidding. Remember to check trigger function, safety after installation. DON'T LET THE TRIGGER SMACK THE MAG WELL. Keep a finger on it. Do you have the extension tube and plate to hold in the detent and spring for the rear take down pin? You can't rush perfection....lol. Trigger and safety both appear to be functioning correctly. Trigger handle is VERY loose and wobbley though? Yeah, think I have the plate. Same thing as a "buffer retainer"? Friend gave me his old stock that has a buffer tube and some dooh hicke attached to it. So I think so. Let you know in a few. Think the only thing I'm missing is a buffer spring. . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 2, 2014 So lower is done and I just need to attach a stock that a friend gave me. I think I'm missing the plater or "buffer retainer". Here's a pic of that was attached to the buffer tube (in addition to the castle nut). I'm thinking it's a sling mount? What is it? It's doesn't look a buffer retainer like they show around 12:30 of the Sootch00 video above that I linked. [/url]">http:// So I think I'm done for the night. Lower is all done except for attaching the stock. The pistol handle is VERY loose/woobley though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 2, 2014 Here's some pics...cuz it didn't happen if no pics, right! Completed lower and "mystery object" I though was a buffer retainer. What is it? [/url]">http:// Completed lower, mystery object and stock. [/url]">http:// Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted June 2, 2014 Buffer retainer and buffer retainer spring are held in place by the extension tube. The rear takedown pin detent and spring are held in place by the stock retainer.http://www.shootingillustrated.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/D10689.jpg Note how extension tube hold retainer in place, and how plate hold detent and spring in place. Yes, it appears the stock retainer you have is for a sling with a push button sling swivel. Should work OK. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
checko 180 Posted June 2, 2014 That is the end plate which is held on by the castle nut. That particular one has a hole for qd sling attachments. That's a good thing. You should have the buffer retainer spring, buffer retainer(detent) rear takedown spring and detent, the endplate and castle nut. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 2, 2014 Oh cool. It looked so different from what was being shown in the videos I thought I was missing a piece. I'll try to finish it up during the week and hopefully get out to EFGA this weekend. Being my first lower build it took me a little longer than I thought. But I was switching back and forth between the ITS video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5SNwSaMOfY And Sootch00's video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nef57ftZbYA And a few other videos that I googled when I ran into problems installing the trigger group. I think I liked Sootch00's video a little more but watching both helped. I also didn't want to make any mistakes or lose any pieces so I was being extra careful and taking my time. All in all though, if I can do it ANYONE can! The only tools I've used so far were needle nose pliers, flat head screw driver, a regular hammer, blue painters tape to protect the lower from scratches, an allen wrench and a set of hole punches. The only tools I didn't have were the punches which I purchased today for $9. I'll probably need to buy a Castle Nut tool but those aren't very expensive. Only thing bugging concerning me is how loose the pistol grip is. I've tightened it as much as I can. Maybe I'll just purchase another one later if I can't get it snug. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
checko 180 Posted June 2, 2014 I got one if you want to borrow it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 2, 2014 I got one if you want to borrow it. That would be great! Thanks. PM sent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
checko 180 Posted June 2, 2014 Btw I bet you can tighten that grip screw way more. Did it have loctite on it? The magpul ones I've use need a ton of torque to get tight. If your concerned about over tightening see how it works without the grip first Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Teky0101 6 Posted June 4, 2014 The S&W M&P AR15 is a nice rifle at a good price. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverado427 10,827 Posted June 4, 2014 The S&W M&P AR15 is a nice rifle at a good price. I have one, But I just don't like the look of a crowned barrel. Other than that it runs great Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vladtepes 1,060 Posted June 4, 2014 I used the allen wrench trick on my front take down pin... never saw it.. thought I made it up.. lol but it actually makes that part VERY easy.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MidwestPX 172 Posted June 4, 2014 I used the allen wrench trick on my front take down pin... never saw it.. thought I made it up.. lol but it actually makes that part VERY easy.. Since I have so many spare parts laying around, I use another pivot pin as a slave pin only I push it in from the opposite direction. It's just long enough to hold the detent in while exposing a little bit of it so you can line up the pivot pin being installed pretty easily. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n4p226r 105 Posted June 4, 2014 crank that grip screw until it's tight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 5, 2014 I'll try using a longer screwdriver to get more torque on it. If I use locktite on it how difficult will it be to remove if I want to replace it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted June 6, 2014 No need for Loctite. Just use a star washer. Run screw in without the grip first. Sometimes too much anodizing get on the threads. Or change to hex head screw. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 6, 2014 No need for Loctite. Just use a star washer. Run screw in without the grip first. Sometimes too much anodizing get on the threads. Or change to hex head screw. Ahhhhhhh.....MidwestPX included that the star washer in the lower parts kit I purchased from them. Was wondering what it was for! I also believe he also included an extra spring and detent in the kit as well (prob for pivot pin install). Highly recommend it. I purchased the combo kit with the ALG Defense Trigger: http://midwestpx.com/product_info.php?cPath=100&products_id=659 The parts also came in separate and colored bags....though I didn't see a listing of what was in what bag. Thought could of been my part though. May have lost the list when I was tearing open the package I received from them like I was an 8 year old at Christmas. Once you opened them up it was pretty easy determining what colored bag you were supposed to use when .....well, especially after watching 2 different lower build vids (multiple times) I'll also try threading the screw on without the grip attached as you suggested. Thank you for the suggestions. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 9, 2014 It's done. FINALLY! With pics to prove it! Thanks to all those who provided advise and insight, lent tools, dontated spare parts and read the thread.....ya' all didn't think it was ever going to happen, did ya!? Now for the next build..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boejoula 0 Posted June 9, 2014 Took ya long enough! Looks good. Good luck with it, have fun. It's addicting lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
checko 180 Posted June 9, 2014 Looks good bud. What are you changing out first? Lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted June 11, 2014 Looks good bud. What are you changing out first? Lol Maybe this ATI Forend: http://www.atigunstocks.com/ar-15-aluminum-8-sided-rifle-length-free-float-forend-with-fs8-nose-cone-and-utility-rail-package-1039 Saw it in one of Scootch00's videos. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted July 23, 2014 Just a quick update. Have put about 500 rounds through without any problems what so ever. Bulk of the 500 was during my second trip to range this past Monday. Very happy with the Wheaton Comp I put on it. Friend I was shooting with liked the comp as well and may use it on his next AR. We could feel/tell the difference between our two guns/comps. His had a little more felt recoil and pulled a little to the side. Can't recall which comp he has but will find out. For anyone doing a build/looking for a comp, look into Wheaton Arms. At end of last shooting session I was hitting a 12x8 piece of paper at 100 yards with just iron sights in a fairly nice pattern. For only having shot ARs a handful of times before I'm pretty impressed with my build so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted July 23, 2014 Just a quick update. Have put about 500 rounds through without any problems what so ever. Bulk of the 500 was during my second trip to range this past Monday. Very happy with the Wheaton Comp I put on it. Friend I was shooting with liked the comp as well and may use it on his next AR. We could feel/tell the difference between our two guns/comps. His had a little more felt recoil and pulled a little to the side. Can't recall which comp he has but will find out. For anyone doing a build/looking for a comp, look into Wheaton Arms. At end of last shooting session I was hitting a 12x8 piece of paper at 100 yards with just iron sights in a fairly nice pattern. For only having shot ARs a handful of times before I'm pretty impressed with my build so far. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sof 0 Posted July 26, 2014 I had the Battlecomp I and totally agree that the Wheaton was superior to the point that if I wasn't welded (thank you NJ) I'd switch in a heartbeat. the Wheaton was effortless at staying on target with no deflection at all. VERY nice. Good choice Glen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gleninjersey 2,142 Posted July 28, 2014 For my own reference (and anyone else who reads this that didn't know). How to zero in your AR with iron sights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etnf76QTu_U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjaE015picw Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites