Home CMMG AR-15 Pivot Pin Install – The Easy Way!

AR-15 Pivot Pin Install – The Easy Way!

1171
41

Installing the pivot pin on an AR-15 lower is never easy. In this video, we show you an easy trick to get the pin quickly installed.

Yes, we know the video is a little out of focus. Yes, we know it’s pronounced “Cleh-vis” and not “Clee-vis”. Blame that on our lazy Texan dialect ๐Ÿ™‚

If you’re in the Austin area, please be sure to visit

Note to readers: Please click the share buttons above or below. Forward this article to your email lists. Crosspost on your blog site, social media, internet forums. etc.

41 COMMENTS

  1. But the rear one requires that the buffer nut be removed to access the detent spring for the rear pin. I just saw a video earlier about that but it did not go into detail. I got a pair of pins I want to install but am not near confident enough to do both! I do, however, have a better idea of how to do the front pin now, so thank you for that!!

  2. I can't believe that with all the AR projects I have worked on I never thought of doing this but I dang sure wasn't going to buy a tool just for this pin installation.

  3. I did not have a clevis pin so I found a wooden dowel rod and drilled a small hole in it and it worked like a charm. I can see where the clevis you used would be a better option. Thanks.

  4. Iโ€™ve never used a tool to install a pivot pinโ€ฆ. I just use the back side of the actual pin and compress the detent and spring in with the pin then rotate it like shown until it pops into place. ๐Ÿค”

  5. This is the easiest thing ever without any tools, put the spring and detent pin in partly, press the end of the takedown pin on the detent pin. Once itโ€™s in just slightly rotate your takedown pin until it slides in the hole, did it in about three seconds on my first one ever.

  6. Who ever thought this was a good idea for building a rifle clearly had too much time on his hands to mess with springs, retainer pins, and detents. Probably small fingers too.

  7. Terrific tutorial, I would add one thing: the spring and detent pin can still jump out of the hand, so assemble it all inside a ziplok bag to save the misery of having to look for the wayward pivot pin when it decides to jump out!

  8. This is freaking brilliant!!! Even with this tip, I still had a pin take a flyer, by the grace of whoever you pray to I found it and was able to do this easily the second time around. Thank-you for saving my neighbors from excessive profanity…….

  9. Simple operation, and yet such sheer such frustration…Second only to the accursed BHO roll pin, perhaps. Thank for giving me and many others the easy way out. Much appreciated Old Cannon!

  10. You can use basically anything that fills the hole. I use an old pivot pin from the back side in lieu of the tool you have.

    What was the "ah ha" moment for me was realizing I needed to put the new pivot pin in with the slot rotated away… I was putting it in with the slot towards the pin and I definitely lost a pin and spring because of that.

  11. I use needle nose and a razor knife blade. Grab the detent with the needle nose put the razor blade on top push down slowly removing the needle nose and slide the pivot pin in and slowly remove the razor blade. Not to hard to do with or with using a vise.

  12. EASER CHEAPER. Use a bobby pin, cut the nub off the end and slip the bobby pin behind the pin. Then slip your new Pin in behind the bobby pin. Easier if you use another Pin on the other side so the spring won't put pressure on the bobbypin

Leave a Reply