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
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
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