DPMS Sportical Bolt Catch Not Working

[SeismicTrash]

I purchased this .308 Sportical in November brand new. Since, I have ran less than 100 rounds through it due to a different issue. Now the bolt catch won't hold the action open unless I hold the button down. If I let off and barely look at the gun, it slams shut. Can't find anything on this petty issue. Thinking I bought a dud... Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Dawico]

We recently had a thread on this but anyways, my DPMS AR 10 does the same thing. I got it used and it never worked. I haven't tinkered with it yet.

 

[556.45.12]

Sounds like a worn/broken bolt catch - just drive out that roll pin and put a new one in - should fix your problem.

 

[cbigclarke]

Make them fix it. Its still under warranty

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[Vaquero]

Make them fix it. Its still under warranty

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Yep.

 

[SeismicTrash]

I just found this website / joined last night and 4 replies within 24 hours. I appreciate your advice guys. Let me know if you need assistance on fixing a Red Rider BB gun...

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

It's a pretty simple issue to diagnose. Does the bolt lock back easily with an empty magazine in it? Being only from November I would send it to them to do with if you aren't too comfortable doing anything on your own.

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[mitchntx]

Have you replaced the stock?

My issue was the replacement stock had a cheek piece that ever so slightly interfered with getting a full stoke on the bolt with the charging handle.

 

[KiloKilo]

Hhhmmm.....I've had this same problem develop just a few days ago. But I have installed the Phase 5 (B.A.D. lever). I am going to reinstall the factory catch and see if that fixes the problem. A close visual inspection of the Phase 5 does not show any wear.....I have only fired about 200 rounds total thru this rifle, of which, 90 rounds with Phase 5. We'll see...............

 

[KiloKilo]

Have you replaced the stock?

My issue was the replacement stock had a cheek piece that ever so slightly interfered with getting a full stoke on the bolt with the charging handle.

Thanks mitchtx......I just read your post and it "clicked" .......I had just added the Magpul 1/4" cheek riser on my CTR stock. They note there could be interference with the charging handle. By golly, that's what my problem was. I pulled off the riser and wham.....works like a charm. Looks like I'll be getting out the Dremel tool tomorrow.

Many Thanks.....GREAT FORUM !!!

KK
'

 

[SeismicTrash]

I attached a slide fire stock on this POS before i fired a single shot. The gun worked like a well oiled machine my 1st time out. I've had nothing but issues with this gun ever since. First, it wouldn't eject hulls after a single shot (defeats the purpose of a semi-auto). Now the bolt catch issue, wondering if I lubed it too much? Using Magpul mags, and decent ammo...

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

I attached a slide fire stock on this POS before i fired a single shot. The gun worked like a well oiled machine my 1st time out. I've had nothing but issues with this gun ever since. First, it wouldn't eject hulls after a single shot (defeats the purpose of a semi-auto). Now the bolt catch issue, wondering if I lubed it too much? Using Magpul mags, and decent ammo...

Ah, well now there's a little more to it then. Have you put the original stock back on to see if that resolves it? Have you looked for any wear that's abnormal? Meaning is the bolt rubbing anywhere it shouldn't be? Have you changed anything with the spring or buffer? Is there anything that is preventing the bolt from fully retracting (this sounds likely if your having failure to eject)? Is there anything inside the buffer tube? Over lube isn't likely unless it's caused some type of build up.

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[KiloKilo]

Wow.......you put a slide fire stock on a .308..??

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

Wow.......you put a slide fire stock on a .308..??

As long as it's a .308 design (AR 15 might not work too well) it would just be a really fun (and some what painful) way to spend $30 in just a few seconds.

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[SIG_Fiend]

Is it sometimes failing to actually lock open when firing until it's an empty mag and should get a last round hold open? One thing some AR manufacturers have issues with is the gas port being drilled improper sizes, not allowing enough pressure, allowing the gun to short stroke and not consistently get lockback or a full cycle of the bolt (could have other implications with extraction/ejection as well). The only thing though is I've only really seen/heard of this with the AR-15 platform, and typically in .223, so I'm not too sure if any AR-10's from certain manufacturers have had similar QC issues.

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

Is it sometimes failing to actually lock open when firing until it's an empty mag and should get a last round hold open? One thing some AR manufacturers have issues with is the gas port being drilled improper sizes, not allowing enough pressure, allowing the gun to short stroke and not consistently get lockback or a full cycle of the bolt (could have other implications with extraction/ejection as well). The only thing though is I've only really seen/heard of this with the AR-15 platform, and typically in .223, so I'm not too sure if any AR-10's from certain manufacturers have had similar QC issues.

I thought that original too but he said he worked flawlessly the first time out. If that was the issue, wouldn't it have failed from day one? Also he would be able to manually lock the bolt back and he states he can't.

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[SIG_Fiend]

I thought that original too but he said he worked flawlessly the first time out. If that was the issue, wouldn't it have failed from day one? Also he would be able to manually lock the bolt back and he states he can't.

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The gas pressure thing probably isn't an issue then. Sounds like an out of spec bolt catch or something.

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

The gas pressure thing probably isn't an issue then. Sounds like an out of spec bolt catch or something.

I'm thinking a mod caused this.

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[M. Sage]

If it's been this way out of the box, before you added anything to the rifle, send it back to DPMS.

Hate to say it, but DPMS has slipped a LOT in QC over the past couple years. They're on my "brands to avoid" list.

 

[Dawico]

Here is what I found while messing with my AR10 the other day (same issue as OP). The bolt catch has a small rounded edge on the face of it. Also the bolt carrier has an aggressive angle cut into the bottom behind the bolt. These two together cause the bolt catch to not hold the bolt open when an empty magazine is released. It works while the empty mag is in place.

So being the tinkerer that I am, I filed the face of the bolt catch so the rounded edge was gone. Still a no go.

I think the issue is mainly related to a bad design. With an empty mag in place, the bolt face hits the follower in the mag. This does two things. First it tilts the follower slightly forward and pushes the back up into the bolt catch. Second, the bolt catches on the follower now and the bolt stays open. When you drop the mag the follower pops up and the bolt slams shut. Because of the aggressive angle cut on the bottom of the carrier the bolt catch doesn't have much to hold onto anyways. Even with no mag inserted the bolt catch will not hold the bolt open.

All that being said, I received my rifle used and many other parts were upgraded. Maybe the catch or bolt itself are not the original parts. Even so, there seem to be many people having the same issue with DPMS AR10s.

If it is under warranty, by all means have them make it right. From what I am seeing though, unless something is changed in the design, expect it to happen again.