Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    Ambridge, Pennsylvania
    (Beaver County)
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    Default Running an AR15 with no buffer retaining pin?

    My buffer retaining pin broke today. I'd never previously considered that as a possibility but after a quick search, that apparently happens a lot. DucatiRon has one for me in case I decide to put it back in but for now, I'm going to run the gun without one and see what happens. Does anyone have any experience doing this or have information to contribute? I understand the GWACS lower doesn't even accept a retaining pin so I guess it's not critical to reliable function but is there any downside to it? Breaking the gun open and putting it back together is harder without the retaining pin but otherwise, I wasn't able to find a good reason to be in a hurry to put it back in.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
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    Default Re: Running an AR15 with no buffer retaining pin?

    The GWACS Armory CAV15 lower uses one - if you want.
    It takes a thin pin to hold it in place since there's no normal buffer tube used.
    I installed it in my wife's build and didn't in my x39 build - I just have to remember to be ready to catch the buffer/spring when I open it.

    No idea if there's a horrible thing that may happen without it - I doubt it.
    I called to check my ZIP CODE!....DY-NO-MITE!!!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
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    The cold, dark, void, Pennsylvania
    (Clearfield County)
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    Default Re: Running an AR15 with no buffer retaining pin?

    You should be fine running without it, its only there for ease of disassembly.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
    (Lehigh County)
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    Default Re: Running an AR15 with no buffer retaining pin?

    Quote Originally Posted by Misery Loves Shotguns View Post
    My buffer retaining pin broke today. I'd never previously considered that as a possibility but after a quick search, that apparently happens a lot. DucatiRon has one for me in case I decide to put it back in but for now, I'm going to run the gun without one and see what happens. Does anyone have any experience doing this or have information to contribute? I understand the GWACS lower doesn't even accept a retaining pin so I guess it's not critical to reliable function but is there any downside to it? Breaking the gun open and putting it back together is harder without the retaining pin but otherwise, I wasn't able to find a good reason to be in a hurry to put it back in.
    this is the gist of it. All the pin does is hold the spring/buffer in when you open the gun, it has no effect on operation.,
    Last edited by gghbi; June 7th, 2020 at 10:30 AM.
    Illegitimus non carborundum est

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Glockin, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
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    Default Re: Running an AR15 with no buffer retaining pin?

    Some people don't run one to eliminate a failure point. They can bind up your fire control group if they break and get caught in there. Zero impact on operation, just dissembly/reassembly. Drop the hammer before you open the lower and will help catch the spring.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
    (Carbon County)
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    Default Re: Running an AR15 with no buffer retaining pin?

    I can honestly say I never heard of that. I worked on thousands of M16 / M16A-1 rifles in the military and can not remember ever hearing of that happening. Junk parts they sell now?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Levittown, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
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    Default Re: Running an AR15 with no buffer retaining pin?

    Question...it sounds like the buffer or the bolt sheared the pin. Does the buffer slam the pin every time the bolt goes into battery, or does the bolt hold the buffer from striking the pin? Should the bolt strike the pin? Seems to me the pin could not hold up to a shear force. I'm thinking either buffer or bolt is travelling too far for some reason.

    ETA: Did a little research, and suspicions confirmed. It is an out of spec situation. There is an offset retaining pin available for curing noticed damage to the front of the buffer. Never knew of this possibility. Good post.
    Last edited by Bang; June 13th, 2020 at 10:24 PM.
    There are two kinds of guns. Those I have acquired, and those I hope to.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Glockin, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
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    Default Re: Running an AR15 with no buffer retaining pin?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bang View Post
    Question...it sounds like the buffer or the bolt sheared the pin. Does the buffer slam the pin every time the bolt goes into battery, or does the bolt hold the buffer from striking the pin? Should the bolt strike the pin? Seems to me the pin could not hold up to a shear force. I'm thinking either buffer or bolt is travelling too far for some reason.

    ETA: Did a little research, and suspicions confirmed. It is an out of spec situation. There is an offset retaining pin available for curing noticed damage to the front of the buffer. Never knew of this possibility. Good post.
    Can you post a link to this product? Never heard of it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
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    Default Re: Running an AR15 with no buffer retaining pin?

    Quote Originally Posted by jthrelf View Post
    Can you post a link to this product? Never heard of it.
    Me either. Took half a second to locate.

    https://gallowayprecision.com/offset...r-AR-15-rifles

    http://commonbullets.com/wp/archives/1727

    I called to check my ZIP CODE!....DY-NO-MITE!!!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Levittown, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
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    Default Re: Running an AR15 with no buffer retaining pin?

    Quote Originally Posted by Emptymag View Post
    18$? Ouch. How many replacement milspec retainers can you get at that price?

    -Zach

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