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View Full Version : A shining moment of brilliance(long read)......


mindonmatter
02-02-2004, 18:11
Please note the sarcism in the title of this thread ;Q And if you don't want to read a long pointless post, now would be a good time to hit the "back" button on your browser and read something else. I'm about to let my frustration out in writing.

Okay, so after a few hundred round through my new AR, my extension tube thread/nut(whatever it's called) had come loose. No big deal. So, I email the company I got my lower from, and ask if they have a buttstock wrench I could buy. The guy is super nice, and sends me one for free with some loctite.

I get the wrench today. So, I break down my AR and remove the buffer/spring. I started to unscrew the extension tube, and I hear on TV that they are showing the replay of Janet Jackson's exposed boob from halftime at the superbowl. So of course, I look up at the TV, but instead of stopping what I'm doing....I keep unscrewing the extension tube without paying attention. So like one would expect if they weren't paying attention....I get it unscrewed far enough and the damn buffer retainer along with the spring, AND the takedown pin detent spring go flying across the room. Damn. So the search starts.

Surpisingly, I find the takedown pin detent spring right away even though it's the smallest thing I lost. After about 20 minutes, I find the buffer retainer. But the retainer spring is another story. I tore apart that room 5 times over the next hour, crawling on my hands and knees with a flashlight, and can't find it. I'm moving heavy furntiture back and forth a few times to look behind it. I'm pissed and very frustrated because it's no where to be found. So, the only thing to do is for me to go online and find somewhere to order one. I sit down at my PC, and what is laying on the keyboard?....the spring!!! Arggh. Okay, that problem is solved.

I go outside to spray break cleaner on the threads to get any oil off, so the loctite will work. Another brilliant idea. Of course, the takedown pin detent spring and detent aren't in the receiver. So what happens? The take down pin falls out in the grass somewhere between my back door and where I sprayed the brake cleaner. I notice when I get back inside, that the pin is gone. Great. Luckily, my dorky nieghboor has a metal detector, and is outside and sees me looking for the pin. He grabs his detector and within a minute finds the pin for me. I thank him, and take my red faced self inside.

So then, I get everything back together and tightened/loctite'd. I'm happy. Stock is tight. All the pieces are there. Right? Nope. In my hour or so of brilliance, I forget to put the f'ing buffer and spring back in!!! This is where you can start calling me a moron. First thing I do after putting the rifle back together is pull the charging handle back to dry fire it, and make sure everything works. Of course, once I do that the bolt is stuck in the extension tube.:( Okay, no problem. I'll just use something to pry the bolt back forward. Instead of getting off my ass to go get a screwdriver or something solid, I grab a Bic pen off my desk, and proceed to pry the bolt forward. So what happens? The damn tip/ball of the pen snaps off and falls in my receiver and ink pours out on my bolt. Here's where you can really call me an idiot.

I get the tip of the pen out, clean out the ink. Put it back together. It works. Finally. No more brain lapses for now.

Just for the record, I'm not mechanically inept. I rarely do one of these stupid things, let alone all of them. I work on cars, I've rebuilt numerous engines. I'm a DIY type. Anything needs fixing, I'm the one my family/friends call. This isn't like me. Something must be in the air today....or too much brake cleaner has soaked into my skin.

I'm keeping all ammo put away in a safe place. I'm taking exteme care while smoking(yes, I see the irony). I'm having second thoughts about using my deep fryer tonight. I may get the fire department to standby in case my stupid spell isn't over.

RepublicanMan
02-02-2004, 18:29
Man that has to be the funniest thing I've read all day today....
Thanks for the laugh and hopefully your day/night gets better.

ponykilr
02-02-2004, 20:50
i have days just like this. i have found that if things start out bad, they usually get worse. so i just lay it down and finish it tomorrow.

tpiini
02-02-2004, 21:43
Listen carefully now;

Sit down. Drink heavily. Go to sleep.

4TS&W
02-02-2004, 21:48
All because of Janet's Boob! :)

MrMurphy
02-02-2004, 22:03
Maybe you can sue Janet Jackson for mental anguish. That and having to see her baring any body parts (anybody related to Michael Jackson should not be allowed on TV).

tpiini
02-02-2004, 22:11
Hey! I think I get it now! Okay, Mr. Murphy. Where were YOU when this was all happening? Hmmmm???

mindonmatter
02-02-2004, 22:14
Originally posted by tpiini
Sit down. Drink heavily. Go to sleep.

Two down....one to go. I'm not tired though ;f

Luckily, I fried some kick *ss coconut shrimp a while ago, and didn't burn down the house. Escaped with only minor burns, LOL.

mindonmatter
02-02-2004, 22:17
Originally posted by MrMurphy
That and having to see her baring any body parts

Yeah I know. I don't even find her attractive. Being a red blooded male though.....I hear the words, "exposed breast", and it's just a natural involuntary reflex to turn my head in that direction :)

AZG23
02-03-2004, 02:17
LOL..yo bro...the mental image is engrained in my memory forever!;f

DJ Niner
02-03-2004, 02:56
Highly entertaining! (I hope it was meant to be...)

Moreso for me, because I managed to accomplish most of those same boo-boos while working on Uncle Sam's M16s in years past (although not all in the same day, on the same gun). So although you're not alone, you ARE the current record-holder. ;f

mindonmatter
02-03-2004, 09:44
Originally posted by DJ Niner
Highly entertaining! (I hope it was meant to be...)

It was definitely meant to entertain, while letting me get my frustration out. Glad you enjoyed.:)

Sulaco
02-03-2004, 15:37
LOL! Too funny! I got these oil spots all over my A2 stock the other day and had to take it off to clean it. I almost lost the pin detent spring also. Luckily, over the years, I have come up with a way to keep from doing this. I wrap a cloth around the parts I am unfamilarly (my word) disassembling and do it over a big bowl or container of some sort.

I once lost so many parts to a Marlin Model 60 bolt that it cost me more than the gun to replace them!

I also just recently lost a much needed spring for a S&W Mdl 19 revolver I was wrenching on. I found the spring and got back to work to realize that a gremlin had stolen the pin that rides on the spring while I was looking for the spring! I cut up a clothespin metal peice and made it work until I could get it replaced.

Oh the joys of working on guns!

deadcalm4u
02-07-2004, 02:09
Great post MindOnMatter. I could picture it in my head as I read it. Good Stuff.;c

Britt
02-08-2004, 00:39
Man have I had some of those days. Most of then are mountain bike related though. Funny stuff. ;a

James