AR 15 dust covers??!?!?!?

FURCHASER12

FURCHASER12

Member
How hard is it to change out the dust cover/ ejection port cover on an AR rifle?? I'm thinking bout changing one out but have talked myself in and out of it a couple different times. So looking for some pointers or info to make my mind up. Lol
 
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It's not too bad, I would recommend getting a new snap ring too. There is a chance of wrecking it or losing it in the process. I've never taken one off, but I have assembled a few uppers and the snap wring it the hardest part. I think I just used a needle nose, not sure if the pin will come out going forward without taking the hand guard off.
 
I was wondering if it would come out to the rear of the rifle to avoid removing the float tube. I'm just fishing around for some experienced point of views.
 
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It should come out the rear of the rifle so you don't have to remove the free float tube. If you have forward assist, you may want to put a piece of electrical tape or something right below it. The rod will come, but it hits the receiver back there. Just go slow so you don't scratch your rifle. Tiny tipped needlenose pliers or those medical locking needlenose/scissor handle things work well to the get the snap ring back in place. The spring will go flying too, so be careful with it.
 
A word of advice - If you don't have a second AR to look at, you might want to make a note, or even take a picture of how the spring is configured, for when you have to put it back together.

I swapped one out a few nights ago and almost lost the snap ring. Took a couple of minutes with my nose to floor to find it!
 
Originally Posted By: FURCHASER12Nice tips guys thanks. I think I'm going to attempt the swap.

I got to the point where I could remove and install one of these in about 60 seconds with an absolute minimum of tools. Shoot me an e-mail or PM if you have any questions. It seems complicated the first time you do it, but it's really simple.
 
Terry why dont you post your method for us. Im sure theres alot of us newbie AR guys who would like to know a good way to change them.Im thinking about one with the let it rain engraved on it.
Thanks Daryl P.
 
Originally Posted By: Ernest IITerry why dont you post your method for us. Im sure theres alot of us newbie AR guys who would like to know a good way to change them.Im thinking about one with the let it rain engraved on it.
Thanks Daryl P.

Here’s a synopsis of my technique. This assumes that you’re trying to replace a broken dust cover spring. The procedure for completely removing and replacing the dust cover is very similar and pretty intuitive.

Tools required: needle nose pliers (a Leatherman works fine), small flat tip screwdriver (The pocket ones that stores used to give away will serve quite well).

1. Remove the C-clip. You can usually push it about halfway off the dust cover pin with your screwdriver, then grab it with your needle nose and pull it the rest of the way off. Don’t lose it!
2. Push the dust cover pin back away from the handguard slip ring assembly with your screwdriver until you can grab the back end with either your fingers or needle nose.
3. Pull it back until it clears the ‘ear’ on the upper receiver that it goes through, then tilt the dust cover upwards 45 degrees. Continue to pull the dust cover pin back until it almost clears the cutout for the spring – you only need about ¼” of it protruding into the cutout – just enough to catch the rear end of the spring.
4. Pull the broken spring out and place the back end of the new one over the protruding part of the pin. Give the front end of the spring a 360 degree spin to place a load on it, and push the pin completely through the spring and into the channel in the dust cover, as you slide the dust cover back down into alignment.
5. Slip the pin all the way through the dust cover and the ‘ear’ on the upper receiver until it is stopped by the handguard slip ring assembly. Grasp the edge of the C-clip with your needle nose pliers and start it on the slot in the dust cover pin. You may or may not be able to push it completely home with your pliers. If not, push it home with your flat tip screwdriver.
6. Verify that the dust cover operates under spring pressure, and you’re done.
 
I changed mine out last week. The biggest thing, as stated in the above posts, is the snap ring (it's tiny and if you drop it its good as gone) and looking at how the spring is situated before you take it off. The only other thing is the forward assist getting in the way. I was able to tape it and get the rod far enough back to get the dust cover on.
 


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