I was quite privileged to have been given the opportunity to test and evaluate the final design of Battle Arms Development‘s new Enhanced Takedown Pin (ETP) and Enhanced Pivot Pin (EPP) for the AR-15 variant of rifle. The video above shows my first real look at the ETP and EPP in the T&E package I received from Battle Arms Development.
Along with being able to physically see, handle and install the ETP and EPP into my AR-15, I also took a moment to interview the owners of Battle Arms Development, George and Roger, to discuss the philosophy and background behind their new enhanced pins.
ETP and EPP Background
I asked both George and Roger what the design philosophy was behind their new enhanced pins and they replied, “Battle Arms Development designs and manufactures components for combat weapons. As such, they are oriented to enhance the user’s weapon handling. We can’t think of any advantages with pins that require tools to engage and disengage because they’re too tight and difficult to use. For times when the user needs to break open the AR to clear a serious malfunction, having to use a tool which he/she may not have on hand can have consequences.”
Expanding further on the design, Roger stated: “As with everything else we design, the pins are components of a combat small arm and the goals they aim to achieve are tied to meaningful efficiency and reliability that enhance a war fighter’s weapon handling. If the weapon is so badly jammed that it needs to be broken down more than the normal remedial action can cope with, a very tight fitting upper and lower that requires a bullet or punch to break open does not serve the user.”
ETP & EPP Features and Advantages
When I had my ETP and EPP side by side with my original pins, some of the physical differences did not stand out right away. However, after installing and using them, I found that they were easier to grasp, push, and pull whereas with my original pins, I would have had to use a brass punch. My wife Shannon can also attest to this as you can see in the end of the above video.
This is a list of changes that Battle Arms Development made to the pins to create the ETP and EPP:
- They are just a touch longer than ordinary mil-spec pins.
- Each pin has a “bullet tip guide” dimple on the face of the small pin head.
- On the large pin head, there is either knurling or dimpling.
- Shallow concave shape on the large pin heads.
- Specific to the ETP is an angled flat section between 1 and 2 o’clock.
- Specific to the EPP is the “EZ-Guide” machined indent and channel for very easy installation.
As you can see in the video, I was able to install the EPP into my lower receiver within seconds, used only one hand and used no tools. Listening to my initial reaction upon installation of the EPP, you can tell I was quite impressed with this feature.
During my very first AR-15 build, I lost one of my detents and it took three weeks for the new one to arrive in mailbox. Because of this, I found it convenient that Battle Arms Development actually includes two KNS Precision springs and detents along with their enhanced pins. Having a second detent on hand during my first build sure would have saved me some frustration (and time).
My ETP and EPP have a “combat ready” parkerized finish but Battle Arms also has two additional finish options: black oxide and stainless steel.
My Assessment
I found that I could manipulate the EPP and ETP easier than my original pins and without using any tools such as a brass punch. My wife also attests to this. The pins did not hinder me, the use of my ambidextrous safety or introduce any new or additional problems to my AR-15. Installing the Enhanced Pivot Pin was just as easy advertised using the EZ Guide system. It removed the frustration and anxiety of using tools such as a pliers or a razor blade to fit the pin in place. I happen to find the new pins to be more aesthetically pleasing than my original pins, which doesn’t hurt either. Appreciably, Battle Arms Development stands behind their products and will replace any ETP or EPP that proves to be defective, and they make them in the U.S. of A.
A Battle Arms Development ETP and EPP package (BAD-EPS – Enhanced Pin Set) has a retail price of $29.95 and can be purchased directly from Battle Arms Development, Ranier Arms or Brownells. At that price point, I feel that this is a worthy upgrade to any AR-15/M-16 variant of rifle.
