Xtreme Precision, LLC. is making high quality Extended Pivot & Takedown, Detents and Springs for ARs in .223 and .308 . The parts are CNC Machined in America to Mil Spec. They are made from hardened steel with a parkerized finish. These pins are well made and well designed. They make you AR easier to open and clean, we can all use a little more of that.
If you have been around parts kit ARs, you know about short take down pins. These are the pins fit tight and flush so you can’t pull them out. Every disassembly requires you to find a tool and tap them out, scarring the finish if you pick the wrong tool. Xtreme has solved this problem once and for all. Every AR I build from here out is going to have Xtreme Extended Takedown pins. Now more bargain parts kits for me.
I installed the .223 parts on my DPMS Panther Arms AP4 Carbine. You can buy just the pins or the whole kit. Here is what you get in the
AR-15 Extended Pivot & Takedown, Detent Pins (5) and Springs Set .223
Installing takedown pins is not rocket science, but it can be a source of great frustration. They make installation tools, but I did not have the special tools, so I improvised and got the job done. I used a big basting needle to depress the pin, a feeler gauge to hold the pin and spring in place after removing the takedown lever and to reinstall the spring and detent pin I cut the end off of a 22 caliber nylon patch jig. I also wore safety glasses due to the fact that I was working with a spring and pin under pressure. Always pays to be safe especially where your eyes are concerned. I know, sounds kind of crazy but it did work, I am referring to the 22 caliber jig I cut. On my first try I will admit I did have a spring and pin go flying out but believe it or not I found them!! Have a magnet handy, it beats crawling on your hands and knees searching the floor. Another trick is to put the lower and your hands into a clear 5 gallon trash bag. Anything that shoots out stays in the bag.
The front pin removal was fairly straightforward, I used the needle to compress the detent pin while I rotated the lever around and then used the feeler gauge to capture the spring and pin in place while removing the lever. Just be careful as the pin and spring will go flying if not careful. The rear lever is removed in the same manner but requires removing the castle nut to remove the spring and pin. Front spring and pin were tricky even with my homemade tools. I used the jig to hold the pin in place and pushed the pin in and then used the old lever from the reverse side to slide in and hold it in place. I carefully inserted the new lever while slowly removing the old one. Be careful on this step also as if not done right the pin and spring will take flight, ask me how I know this!! Anyway, removal of the old parts and installation of the new parts went pretty good even without the proper AR tools. But with a little imagination you can get the job done without them. I will say that if I do any more like this I will have the proper tools to make it go a little faster and safer.
Once installed, the Xtreme extended take down pins are a joy. I don’t open my AR often, but when I do, I don’t want to look for a tool. These pins are good looking, well made and highly functional. Don’t build an AR without them!
Get your Xtreme Takedown pins at ar15extreme.com
Contributed by John P. DeBeasso
