Was doing my very first AR Lower Assembly the other day and after downloading the instructions from a link on AR.com, I was thinking "I do not have a Pivot Pin Installation Tool". They had a picture of the handy little thing but I had no .250 round stock around. What I did have in the garage was a 1/4" NYLON bolt from Home Depot (.77 investment)that I had for another project. I figured that would fit and would not scratch my brandy new Spikes Lower so I drilled a 3/32" hole through it, about 1/4" from the end and I had my installation tool. Took all of one minute to make and worked like a charm. Could I have installed the pin without it, sure, but sometimes I just like to goof with stuff like this.

Good deal. I love innovation. It shows a keen mind!

Brilliant!

Good idea!

 

I was worried when assembling my first lower. The instructions made that part sound so daunting without the tool. 10 seconds and a punch was all I needed. Did the Indiana-Jones replace the idol with a bag of sand trick. I found driving the pin for the bolt catch was more difficult. I had a very stubborn pin.

Yeah, after I did it, I realized it was pretty easy. I also thought the bolt catch pin was the most difficult thing to do with only two hands. I put on multiple layers of tape to protect the lower.

Got pics? I might need something like this soon