C Clip Installation for AR-15 Dust Cover

[majormadmax]

OK, this is not really "gunsmithing" but it is a bit bizarre...

I finally got a C clip installed on my AR dust cover (it had been missing, and the pin moving but not falling out).

What is odd is the groove in the pin was further back than what I've seen in U-Tube videos.

Whereas every C clip I saw in videos went where the red arrow is in the below pic, I couldn't install it there as the groove didn’t extend out that far.

However, I was able to install it where the green arrow is in the bottom photo by lining the groove up with the small space between the door and the pin holder.

I snapped it in with a flat head screwdriver and now the dust cover pin doesn't move!

Has anyone ever seen on that required the C clip to be inserted there? I have no idea who the dust cover manufacturer is, it's a generic milspec one...

And that's not my rifle, just a pic I found on the Interwebz to show where I had to put the pin!

 

[Orbie]

I’ve only ever put them on the outside/red arrow location.

I always keep a few handy because I tend to let them pop off and go flying into oblivion.

 

[Gordo]

I bought a bag of 100 of those little pain in the ass things when I first started ARing...
Now I just use the Magpul polymer port doors, with the spring loaded plunger on one end, and a little lever on the inside to compress the spring.

 

[majormadmax]

I bought a bag of 100 of those little pain in the ass things when I first started ARing...
Now I just use the Magpul polymer port doors, with the spring loaded plunger on one end, and a little lever on the inside to compress the spring.

I saw one of those, wasn't too sure about the polymer construction and tried a TImber Creek Outdoors billeted dust cover list this...

As you can see, the right end of the pin is enlarged to keep it from moving.

However, when I tried to remove the pin for the dust cover I had installed, I found even after taking the handguard off the barrel nut kept me from removing it. On the opposite end the forward assist did the same.

I ended up returning it and went the C clip route. For some odd reason, Amazon first sent me a water valve for a LG appliance then a day later the clips, which ended up doing the trick!

As the old saying goes, if it's stupid and it works, then it's not stupid!

By the way, Amazon said I didn't have to return the LG 5220JB2010A Valve, Water they mistakenly sent. Anyone need one?

 

[Gordo]

I started off with a couple of the Strike Ind. polymer port doors, but they sucked.
Couldn't keep the adjustable latch detent adjusted correctly. It was like the polymer kept taking set, and sooner or later the door wouldn't stay closed.
They were also harder to put in/remove. The plunger had to be depressed with something sharp, and was kind of a pain in the ass.

Tried one of the Magpuls, and other than it having the non-moving pin off center (a little sanding on the port door cured that), it worked fine on my .45 AR.
Just installed the next one on the 7.62x39. It was molded correctly, and has been trouble free.

Do you know if anyone makes the billet doors for an AR10?