What can I say, I am a retired Marine and never had an issue my entire career, but lately it's has been a real issue with a few of my ARs and my CMMG PCCs. Your "trick" worked immediately, YOU ARE THE MAN. Thank you..

My husband has been trying to get this pin to go in for 30 min. Found this video and I did it in 1 min. Life saver. Thank you

I just got out the military & I personally never had a problem putting my M4 retaining pin back into place... I get home & start cleaning my AR & didn’t know what to do cause the pin wouldn’t go in😂 Thank you so much, literally spent like 20 mins trying to put the damn pin back into place till I finally gave up & watched this vid😂🤦🏽‍♂️

I was almost in panic mode after tearing down my new AR for it's first cleaning and lube before hitting the range. All good now after this tip. THANK YOU!!

Holy shit dude, you just saved me so much trouble

23 years in law enforcement and a patrol rifle instructor and never had a cotter pin issue until now. It made no sense. Now it does! Thank you!

You just solved an hour and a half of my life in a three minute video. Thank you so much

This worked like magic. I thought I was going to have to get a replacement FPRP until I came across your video. Thank you for sharing your expertise and experience.

I figured there had to be an easy trick to reinstalling a tight retaining pin. Thanks!!

Oh crap! I’ve been tinkering with ARs for 30 years and thought I was experienced. Learned something today, great video!! Thanks !

I have learned more from this channel than I have any other channel! And I have been around ARs for almost a decade now.

This was extremely helpful. Years military, then private sector…and still had never dealt with this issue. Thank you for the video, extremely useful!

You, sir, are a lifesaver. My retaining pin is extremely picky on if it decides to cooperate or not. Found this video, and this simple trick, now it's never an issue. No more headaches and cursing!

Thank you! I have fought those pins for years and I'm sure many people don't know this method. Excellent tip!

BROOOOOOOOOOOOO 3 HR TRYING TO GET THAT DAMN THING BACK IN .... 3 MIN VIDEO AND ITS BACK IN THANK YOU SO MUCH....and this is coming from a 15 year military and 15 year police officer .... never had any issues ....until my last 3 builds .......thanks again

Echo Pat Worthington. I broke down my relatively new AR and hit a wall trying to insert the firing pin retainer. After 20 min, I went to bed because I wasn't going to force it. Got up this morning to search "fixes" and came across this vid. I sat back at my desk after watching and BINGO. I slid right in. Thanks so much.

I have messed around with AR10 & 15 rifles for a good while (6yrs) and own 10 of them equally split between 1p & 15's. I have never had such difficulty reinserting the firing pin retainer as I did today. Usually if it balked a bit I chucked it and replaced with a new one. Well happens I am moving my gun area to my newly finished basemeny and my fairly deep selection of repair/wear parts is not found. I dicked around wiyh it for a good while and then thought You Tube. I found your video and 10 seconds later I was in. Just wanted to thank you for an informative video that really helped a fellow out.

You never cease to amaze. Thank you for solving an annoying issue I’ve encountered FOR FIFTY YEARS!

Duuuuuude. Thank you for the video. That pin was pissing me off. My fingers were getting sore. 😂😂😂

What a lifesaver. 20 minutes struggling with needle nosed pliers (just like you say in the video LOL) and 10 seconds after this video it slides right in. Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

Man. Sooooo glad I found this! Just got my first AR...decided to be adventurous and read the manual and break it down (haven't even fired it yet). Could not get the damn thing back in to save my life (or fingers). Spent the last hour (more if I'm being honest) until I saw this. Worked like a charm. Thought I was going to be "that guy" going back to the dealer to fix my newbie "user error". Thank you so much!!!!

You are a life saver, In getting the hang of stripping it but I’ve always struggled with this and I’d try breaking out the tweezers. You literally just saved me about 20 minutes of frustration, thank you!

counting the numerous comments, this has to be the most common issue for noobs when reassembling your bolt carrier after cleaning. I struggled for about 30 minutes before searching and finding this vid. Thank you AR Build Junkie!

This video has been extremely helpful. I was very frustrated that the retaining pin would not go in, and it appeared to be slightly bent. Your tutorial worked great!

Today was my 1st time cleaning my BCG, took it apart and then got to entering the pin. I fiddled with that dang thing for 40 minutes - I began to panic. I looked up this video and BAM, job done. Thank you so much!

How the hell was I an infantryman in the freaking army and I never learned this trick? Thanks man!!!! Huge thanks. Goes in like nothing!

lol i literally had a hammer and pliers sitting on my desk as @AR Build Junkie says, "Some people will have difficulty... so they'll break out a hammer, they'll break out needle nose pliers." I am glad to not be part of the "some people" group any more as you've taught me something today. Thank you.

I have been working on AR rifles since the late 70's. This is the first time I have heard of this method to install spread firing pin retaing pins.. Excellent information, I keep learning something new about the AR rifle every year...

I've been fighting this stupid pin for 45 min now, tried your method and it basically fell in place, thank you very much sir!

Never had this issue until this morning. Been using these since I’m 14 and now I’m 55, and it’s the first time I could not get it in. Tried your trick, and it went right in. Thank you!

I wish I'd seen this video 5 minutes earlier. I just ordered some more pins because I couldn't get the factory pin in. Now it's in. Thanks. I'll have spares for the future and probably never need them.

Great tip!! I had a stubborn retaining pin and this tip saved me a ton of frustration. Thank you, sir!!

This video was a lifesaver. I was having problems installing the retaining pin on my BCGs. I wanted to check the head space on new builds. After watching this video it is so easy now. Thanks.

You're a lifesaver. I just bought a used m&p 15 and it's been a nightmare. The a2 sight pins were in backwards and this retention pin was exactly how you just described.

literal life saver I spent 15 minutes and was about to grab a hammer. Got it on the first go with your trick. that's a new subscriber for you well deserved👊

Dude. I have built 35 plus AR’s and worked on AR’s for years and this really helped. Thank you!!!

Holy cow! I've been trying for way too long, hurting my fingers and about ready to get a hammer. I knew I shouldn't force it. First attempt in as soon as I heard your trick! Love you! Thank you 1000 times for this video!

Not all heroes wear capes. Thank you sir

Perfect explanation. I'd been messing with mine for 15 minutes or so. Got it in about 10 seconds with your advice. Thank you!

Never had this problem before with any other AR's - bought a new one lubing it up and ran into this problem and knew there had to be a solution. thanks!!

Thank you so much. I’ve been cleaning firearms for over 20 years and this tip saved my life.

Thank you so much for posting this video. There was about 500 rounds worth of carbon I wanted to clean out of a 7.62 x 39 AR-15 bolt assembly. After taking bolt assembly apart I could not get it back together because of the cotter pin. After watching this video I got it reassembled again. Thank you!

AWESOME!!! I JUST bought 5 pins from a local gun shop here in Dallas. The retaining pin I had was spread out like the one you used for the tip. I didn’t look at the 5 I bought before leaving and got home and they were gapped too….. But thanks to your OLD video I was able to get the ORIGINAL pin back in and now I have 5 spares just in case. At $1/ea I’m not upset about it. LMAO

Man, how did people get through life before KZfaq?! Thank you for sharing!!!

Just took my AR apart for the first time and I ran into this problem, I was thinking of putting in a vise to flatten a bit but I said to myself look up on KZfaq, thanks so much really work with no trouble, never forget this!

No fucking way, just spent the last 30 wondering my retaining pin wouldn’t fit. Was about to give up and go to a local Turners. Just saved me a trip, thanks Sir!

This is a brilliant tip! I was frustrated by a retaining pin that would not seat. Tried a plastic hammer but I made the legs of the pin even more spread apart. I finally was able to get the pin back in the beveled hole and applied downward pressure as directed in the video and it seated home immediately! I think my retaining pin is "jacked up" via my abuse and I plan to replace it, but as a result of this tip I reassembled my bolt and was able to shoot right now. Thanks Chad!

You're a life saver man. I spent the past 20 mins messing with mine. 12/10 stars. Thank you so much

I'll be damned. I've never had this issue once until today. I purchased a new Faxon BCG from a very reputable online merchant. This and one other house brand BCG were shipped in a box too small for the retail packaging which was cracked and broken. As a result I disassembled both to make sure it was just cracked plastic packaging, which it was, but could not get the retaining pin to fully seat on the Faxon BCG. Tried rotaing the pin while installing. No good. Found this video and I'll be damned if this technique didn't allow it to slide in with very little pressure. This is the difference between someone who is very proficient with a platform (myself) and a true expert. Thank you so much for making this video.

You are the man. Never had a issue AR 15 , this AR 10 had me grabbing pliers hammer screwdriver. Followed your advice, went right in. Thank you.

Thank you so much, I thought that I needed a new pin after cleaning my rifle. Truly a life saver of $5 and a couple days for shipping.

Dude I’ve tried about 10 times prior to see your video and after seeing your video...I got it on the first try. Thanks bro thumbs up 👍

Thank God for this clip! Spent a good hour or so plunging the cotter pin into place and it just wouldn't sit in my CMMG Banshee BCG. A little downward pressure was all it take! Thank you very much.

Like everyone else, thanks SO much for uploading this. All the the other AR cleaning vids I watched just showed them inserting the firing pin retaining pin like it was as easy as could be, but I had the exact problem you described here. After futzing around with it for a few minutes, and then finally tapping lightly on it with a soft face mallet, all to no avail, I knew there had to be a better way. Thanks again for sharing this; it worked like a charm.

Worked on an AR-10 also. All years cleaning M16s and never had this problem, but your solution worked! Thank you

Thank you so much!!! You saved me a lot of time and neck pain!! You are the best at tutorials and walkthroughs!!! You deserve the absolute best!!!!

I know this is an old video, but you saved my fingers today. Thanks.

AR platform new to me and this was first hangup on initial takedown and reassemble. LOL. I didn't get upset, just didn't understand. After watching this it made more sense and then 10 seconds at my bench and it was back together properly. Thanks. The start of the learning curve is to ask someone else that is knowledgeable. I'm sure I will watch more of your channel.

You are a Rock Star!!!! Did not want to break it or use any metal tools on it, this is my first AR and first cleaning. tried pushing with the handle of a screw driver and it did not budge. Figured there was a trick. Search KZfaq and saw your video!! Amazing, went right in!

I've been watching this guy on his channel for awhile now, he is a very good gunsmith and explains everything well. Thanks for posting this vid.

Chad, I took down my M&P Sport 2 for the initial cleaning post purchase and everything went well up until when I had to reinstall that retaining pin. Luckily, I came across this vid and your solution was spot on! Looking forward to viewing more of your channel. Subscribed.

You're video is by far the best one on getting that pesky cotter pin back in. I put a small drop or two of lube on the pin and tilted it upwards a little and it went right in. I used the Hornady ultrasonic cleaner get all the carbon build up off. The hardest part was getting the pin back in. I will order a few pins for spares.

You have no idea how much you helped me! It’s my first time doing it and spent 1/2 hour trying to get it back in. Went in smooth as silk when I followed your tip. Thank you!

I also have to add my praise, this is the best video ever. I added it to my favorites playlist so that I can easily find it, because I had trouble with this the first time I disassembled my BCG to clean it, found this video, worked first time. So I come back to review it each time I clean my AR. I don’t do this often enough for it to stick out in my memory yet, but someday it will, and until then, thank you sir for this video.

This video was a god send, I couldn't put mines in after buying a new BCG, after watching this video I now know what to do. Thank you brotha 🇺🇲

Perfect! Thank you so much for taking the time to put this video together. I was having a hard time trying to replace the retaining pin, and I thought I was going to lose my mind. - Your instruction worked perfectly, on the first try! Thanks again for saving me from so much grief and frustration. Much appreciated.

I have two ARs with PSA bcgs (vintage 2016 and 2020), and both have this problem. You just saved me untold time in the future! Thanks.

Unbelievable how freaking easy this was!! I was literally in panic mode when I broke down my new AR to clean it prior to going to the range for the first time, I struggled with this single issue for a good 40 minutes, but finally got the stupid pin back in! Man I wish I’d seen this video back then. Well one thing’s for sure... I won’t have this issue again! Thanks for sharing this short, but VERY useful little video Chad! 😁👍🏻

Yes you are the man. Thank you for taking the time for such a small issue. It worked in about 10 seconds.

Thank you!!! I was getting my jack hammer and battering ram out when I stopped and watched your video. 👊🏾😎

Jesus Christ. I’m over here like “WHAT THE FUCK MAN IT’LL GO IN THE OPPOSITE WAY BUT NOT THE RIGHT WAY?!” I turned and pushed, I smacked it, I tried jimmying it and you’re just like “yeah mate just put some downward force!” It went right the hell in, insane. 10/10 kudos to you I knew I was assembling it right

Very appreciative for this video, went from a total dead end to resolving the issue in 5 seconds. Thank you

I’m a new owner and I’ve been taking my time learning about my rifle and going through disassembly and what not over the last couple of weeks. I just took the bcg apart and couldn’t get the friggin’ pin back in so here I am. I thought I was going to need a new pin before even firing the thing but your method worked somehow. I don’t understand why it works but I’m sure glad it does.

You helped me!! Thank you for not making this a big freaking ordeal and making it a seminar just for this little detail.

Been fighting this retainer pin for the last 45 minutes only to find SOTAR has a quick fix for it 😂 thanks for making the video, it worked like a charm

Thank you for this. Buddy took my ar apart and couldn't get the pin back in and was telling me I had to get a new one but I found this video and got it back in myself in 30 seconds. Thank you again

THANK YOU!!! Had the 12 Lb sledge ready to go!

Thank you for this post. I did exactly what you said trying to use a hammer, pliers. After doing the correct way I had my gun back together in just a minute. Really appreciate it.....

Thank you for the retaining pin firing pin gem of the information you provided. It’s an absolute game changer!

Brilliant! I thought I needed new pin. Turns out I needed to just watch this video

Wow - thanks. That did the trick on a new BCG I was cleaning. The legs were spread like you show, your tip worked like a champ.

Like 11jerans said 8 months ago. "Holy shit dude, you just saved me so much trouble" I wish I would have seen your video 2 days ago. I was one of those dumb-asses who didn't understand how things worked, so I pulled out my little hammer and tried to slightly pound the retaining pin back in place. Needless to say, I totally messed up the pin and am now waiting a week or so for a new pin.

Jesus. I've been trying for an hour now.. your method worked like a charm. Thank you much

Bro you just saved me so much time money and energy I thought my Ar-15 was broke for a second Thank you so much for this video!!!!!

Thank you for all your help and answers. Always thorough and to the point

Man I’ve taken apart mine 1000 times took my friends apart to clean and put it back in… thought I broke it lol your a lifesaver it was so simple 🤦‍♂️

Best channel on KZfaq for learning about AR's.

This worked perfectly and saved me lots of frustration. Thank you.

Fought this pin for five minutes. After watching this video I got it in within 1 second. Great tip

Man, you really saved me a lot of trouble on this new AR I just bought. Thank you so much. Worked like a charm.

Thanks for the simple advice. Your video helped me solve the exact problem I was having with my first AR build project.

Dude! Perfect 👍🏻. Thank you, this is exactly what was needed. The kotter pin went right in just like you instructed. Much appreciated.

You are one slick son of a gun. Much obliged. If this were in person, I would buy you a beer.

This is a great channel. Love your stuff so far.

Thanks! That was the exact advice I needed. I just followed along with your video and reinserted my firing pin right along with you.

Thanks so much for this! I wasn’t doing it hard, but I was using my hammer to get it in. Your trick is so simple and it worked the first time I tried it. So glad I decided to check KZfaq before I really decided to force that thing in. It just didn’t wanna go. Your trick is so simple. Thank you

thanks for posting this - very helpful. Not new to AR, but with a new rifle tonight - had me cursing for 20 minutes. Great video!

Spent 20 minutes trying to get this f@#$ing pin in till I gave in to KZfaq. Outstanding video, sir! I was about to order a new pin. Thank you!

You are great. My new BCG pin was difficult to remove and I couldn't get it back in. Using your video it's back in place. Thanks a million.

You just save me 15 minutes of a migraine! God bless you sir!