I am building an A2 lower and I am installing an A2 rifle length stock. My previous builds have been with collapsible stocks. I have watched several videos showing the buffer tube screwed in to just capture the buffer spring detent. The next step is what my question is about. The videos show taking the amororer’s wrench to the back of the rifle length buffer tube and snugging up the tube to the lower. Would this not bind the buffer spring detent?
After you capture the buffer detent with the tube, you slide the stock on and use the screw on the stock.
The buffer tube has a collar that limits how far you can screw the buffer tube. The tube is retained in place by the friction of that collar so you need to apply a small amount of torque, i.e. the tube should not be hand tight
i know what you’re saying.
i’ve built a few of the a1 and a2 style rifles.
first you screw in the buffer tube all the way down till you are about to cover the detent hole. Then you put the detent spring, and the detent itself in, and push down low enough that you can then finish screwing in the buffer tube all the way until it is flush with the back of the receiver. You should then be able to release your pressure on the detent for the buffer spring retainer. it should (the buffer tube detent) move freely when you push down on it, nd it should routinely pop back up when you release it, but only as far as the buffer tube lip will permit it to, thus capturing the buffer tube detent and spring in the threaded area of the lower receiver. At this point your buffer tube is screwed in flush to the lower receiver. You then take your AR gunsmithing tool, fit it on the back of the buffer tube, and tighten the buffer tube just enough to ensure that it is not only snug but tight enough that it wont back off by hand.
at that point you’re ready to put the buttstock on it. which means you’re also ready to put in the rear takedown pin and detent and spring. first install the takedown pin, with the channel facing the rear of the receiver. then on the back of the receiver you will find a hole, install the takedown pin detent into the hole. repeat the same process by pushing in the takedown pin’s detent spring. It wont go all the way in as it is longer than the hole is deep. If building an A2, grab your a2 buttstock spacer, and place it on the end of the buttstock tube. just kinda hold it there, while you slowly slide your A2 stock on the back off the buttstock spacer, and eventually over the buffer tube all the way down until you reach the takedown spring which is hanging out of the takedown detent whole by like a 1/4 inch ensure the stock is lined up straight, and compress the spring slowly as you fit the buttstock down onto the lower receiver completely. Once the stock is pushed all the way down, you have to hold it in place or it will be pushed back cby the spring. At this point you install your a2 buttstock screw, and install it by using the flathead screw driver you have. usually a large bladed flathead screwdriver so you dont chew up the screw when tightening it. once it is tight, you’re done, and should have a working rear takedown pin, and you can insert your buffer spring, and rifle length buffer into the buffer tube… you push that buffer all the way in until it is captured by the buffer retaining pin.
i hope that helps, as it took a minute to type it all up. please forgive misspellings
Thanks to all who replied! Yes, GamecockOperator your detailed description is most helpful! Do you recommend blue loctite on the buffer tube threads as some videos recommend? Also, do you recommend gunoil or gun grease on the buffer tube spring?
You’re very welcome and im glad it was helpful.
honestly, on my A1’s and A2’s ive built i never put any loctite on the buffer tube threads because you’re going to torque it down with the armorers wrench on the back of the buttstock tube first… and when you do that, it’s pretty solid, then when you put the stock on it and screw the stock screw in to the buffer tube, you’re locking down the buttstock into place because with the screw tightened the buttstock has a little divit that fits into the hole on the lower receiver to hold it in place from spinning. so basically it wont move either way. putting the blue loctite may make some people feel extra comfortable about it not moving, but with me, it just is a bigger problem if i ever want to take the buttstock and tube off to change it to a carbine or other stocks that use a different buffer tube.
as for the gunoil or gun grease on the tube spring, i’ve never used any on any of my builds. Some guys say they do so that they can quiet down the spring or make it a smoother action. If anything i’d use a light coating of probably white lithium grease on the spring if it was badly bothering me with noise… .but for function it shouldnt need it at all. I’ve never seen a buffer spring that did anyways.
i hope that helps.
Absolutely 
!
Thank you!
you’re very welcome. if theres anything else i can do for you please dont hesitate. i hope you enjoy the forums and i hop ewe see ya posting around often!