Military Camp

New AR 15 Bolt Catch

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  • Bozz10mm

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    Oct 5, 2013
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    Georgetown
    I don't really consider this gunsmithing, more tinkering, so I'll post it here.

    I started having a bit of trouble with the bolt catch on my PSA classic lower. It would lock back just fine, but if I pulled the charging handle back to release the bolt, sometimes it wouldn't release. That's when I noticed the bolt catch was very wobbly. Thinking it might be broken, I ordered a Strike Industries enhanced bolt catch.

    Meanwhile, after breaking a punch trying to remove the pin, I ordered the Wheeler roll pin punch and roll pin starter from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Engineering-Bolt-Catch-Install/dp/B01B3NU46C

    The Wheeler tools made the job a breeze and it beats paying $20 for the Brownell's tool that doesn't come with the roll pin starter.
    Took about 2 minutes to get the catch pin out. But the bolt catch detent wouldn't come out. It was stuck. I pried it out with some tiny jewelers screw drivers. Blew the hole out and re-installed it, but it was still catching on something. So, I used a 5/32" drill bit to ream and smooth it out. Just twisted it by hand. Et Viola, it was fixed.

    The next day, the SI bolt catch arrived and I installed it in place of the OEM catch. I'm glad I ordered it. It makes it much easier to lock the bolt back with the larger paddle. In fact, I'm going to order another one for my Ruger AR556 MPR when it comes in.



    Here is a photo comparison
    V0qKch5.jpg


    V0qKch5
    Target Sports
     
    Last edited:

    Swarf

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    Aug 5, 2014
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    Gulf Coast
    Never had this problem on any of my AR15s, but did with my last 308 build. The stiffer buffer spring and heavier BCG were very unforgiving to the mil-spec AR15 bolt catch I first installed. I replaced it with an AR Stoner enhanced bolt catch... problem solved.

    Yes, proper tools are a must. I ended up getting a whole starter punch set. The tiny gas block rolled pin is the one that gave me the most trouble.
     

    Bozz10mm

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    Oct 5, 2013
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    Georgetown
    I am a fan of the Seekins bolt catch personally. Great products from Seekins.
    Good looking bolt catch, but from their web site, they recently changed their bolt catch manufacturing process to Metal Injection Molded. Don't know if that's good, bad, or indifferent.
     
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