re: AR Upper/Lower Kit Brands

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The pivot pins are NOTORIOUSLY hard to install or remove without a special tool. On your first time out, you're likely to mangle springs or launch the detent and spring into outer space if you're just trying to do it with standard hand tools.

Luckily, the tools are like ten bucks and well worth it because you're going to spend ten bucks and have to wait to replace those parts that end up in the black hole behind your workbench anyway.

Search your favorite parts house for "AR pivot pin tool". Wheeler and Real Avid are the two makes that come to mind. I prefer and use the Wheeler tool because it comes with a roll pin punch that is the right size for all the lower roll pins. The Real Avid tool doesn't have this, but it might be a bit simpler to use for a first-timer.

Before you start off, watch videos of installing the pivot pin. Also, watch videos of installing the bolt catch roll pin. That one's kind of notorious, too. Not necessarily because it's as difficult as the pivot pin, but you're going to be working very close to the receiver, so it's very easy to mar up the receiver whacking away at that roll pin to get it started and seated.

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