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Centerfire Rifles - Semiautomatic or Gas Operated Centerfire rifles, carbines and other gas operated rifles.

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  #1  
Old 04-22-2009, 11:20 PM
Blockwater Blockwater is offline
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Default Bolt Catch Problem

Hey everyone,
I just finished my first AR build last week. I was showing my Grandfather my AR and noticed that the bolt catch didn’t work that well.

Here’s what I’m dealing with: I charge the bolt with an empty mag. and the catch engages. After it catches I remove the mag. and if I jostle the weapon the bolt catch releases and the bolt flies forward. Now if I removed the mag. and then reinsert it and tap on the mag. it will also release.

Any ideas of what my problem is?

A friend mentioned my buffer spring may be weak but its brand news.

If its any help here’s my configuration:
CMMG upper & lower
CMMG bolt
Double Star LPK
CAA 6 position stock tube with whatever buffer & spring they include in the package.
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  #2  
Old 04-23-2009, 1:01 AM
ty423 ty423 is offline
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who built the lower?
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  #3  
Old 04-23-2009, 8:08 AM
Blockwater Blockwater is offline
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I put it all together if that's what you're asking.
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  #4  
Old 04-23-2009, 8:27 AM
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Mozzetti Mozzetti is offline
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Flip open your rifle and lube up your bolt catch heavily and work it back and forth for a few minutes. Then see how it works. A lot of parts are of spec and even those CMMGs have a heavy teflon coat that may not leave enough room for the bolt catch to travel. If this does not work then try another mag. A lot of these 10/20 mags have weak springs that are not pushing up the bolt catch far enough. If you don't have another mag and if you can open that one take it apart and stretch out the spring a bit, but not a whole lot that you damage it.
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  #5  
Old 04-23-2009, 8:30 AM
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Clark_Kent_X Clark_Kent_X is offline
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did you forget to put in the bolt catch spring?
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  #6  
Old 04-23-2009, 9:21 AM
Blockwater Blockwater is offline
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Clark_Kent_X,
No I made sure of that. Nothing worse then haveing to take out the bolt catch pin.

Mozzetti,
I'm going to go try that right now.

Thanks everyone,
Joshua
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  #7  
Old 04-23-2009, 9:58 AM
Blockwater Blockwater is offline
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OK, I lubed, I worked, and I got really frustrated.

Here's some pic of the bolt catch, bolt, and mag & bolt catch engaged:
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h4...1/DSC01685.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h4...1/DSC01686.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h4...1/DSC01687.jpg

Sorry the last pic is blurry
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  #8  
Old 04-23-2009, 10:19 AM
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Mozzetti Mozzetti is offline
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Is it smooth operating with the mag out? or feeling like it is sticking?

Do you have another mag to try?
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  #9  
Old 04-23-2009, 10:28 AM
Blockwater Blockwater is offline
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I tryed all three of my mags and have the same issues. Everything seems pretty smooth also.

I'm kind of thinking that the new buffer spring may be too heavy. Is that a possibility?

Thank you,
Joshua
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  #10  
Old 04-23-2009, 10:45 AM
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Maybe. I have never had that problem due to the spring. Mostly due to weak springs in 10/20 rounders.
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  #11  
Old 04-23-2009, 11:23 AM
Yargh Yargh is offline
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From the picture it looks like the bolt catch isn't being pushed all the way up. Is it tight in the lower? Or does it pivot freely?

Also I seem to recall there are two springs when assembling the LPK that will fit the hole for the bolt catch spring, if you use the wrong one that maybe the issue.

Also when you manually enguage the catch and rack it does it hold better?
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  #12  
Old 04-23-2009, 11:24 AM
Blockwater Blockwater is offline
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Here's my bolt, I've been looking at pic of other bolts and they don't seem to be as slanted as mine is.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h4...1/DSC01691.jpg
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  #13  
Old 04-23-2009, 11:34 AM
Blockwater Blockwater is offline
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Yargh,
I can't manually engage the bolt catch, it only works when the mag is in. If there is no mag in the well and I shake or tap the weapon the bolt catch will fail.

I'm very sure I put the right spring in.

Does my bolt look right to everyone? I'm starting to think that is might be the bolt.
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  #14  
Old 04-23-2009, 12:16 PM
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My bolt is just as slanted. I think Yargh's (and others before) suggestion is the cause: the bolt catch is tighter than it should be. It might be loose enough to seem like it's working but too tight to work properly when the gun is closed up.

My bolt catch started out tight and caused a few problems like yours. After shooting it enough, it loosened up and works perfectly now. There should be no friction/drag whatsoever when you press the bolt catch with your finger--only spring resistance.

Last edited by dchang0; 04-23-2009 at 12:18 PM..
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  #15  
Old 04-23-2009, 12:24 PM
Yargh Yargh is offline
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Your bolt/carrier look fine in that pic. It sound's like the release is either not getting full movement our out of spec.

When I get home this evening I'll post a pic of where the catch should sit on the bolt face when engaged. My guess is that your is just barely grabbing it when engaged.
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  #16  
Old 04-23-2009, 12:34 PM
Blockwater Blockwater is offline
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Thanks everyone!

There is some drag on the bolt catch I've noticed. Maybe it's a mix between drag and out of spec. I really am going to hate removeing that damn pin.
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  #17  
Old 04-23-2009, 12:37 PM
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Your bolt catch should stick up 3/8" when fully engaged.
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  #18  
Old 04-23-2009, 4:42 PM
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My bolt catch does the same thing... if you shoot it after last round it grabs fine and if a emplty mag is in it grabs fine. But with no mag it slips off the bolt and sends the bolt forward. Nothing looks especially worn or anything.
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  #19  
Old 04-23-2009, 4:53 PM
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Well, that ain't right either. You should be able to lock the bolt back firmly with or without a mag in. And it should be firm enough to withstand smacking the rifle with your hand, though probably not dropping the weapon on the dirt.

This is especially important for malfunction drills where you'll have to lock the bolt back with the mag out to clear the chamber, etc. Sure, if you go straight into rack, rack, rack, then maybe it doesn't matter whether the bolt locks back, but it could be a bad situation if the bolt slams forward on its own and makes a bad situation worse.

By the way, I took a look at mine, and the bolt catch catches the actual face of the bolt itself, not the angled portion of the BCG.
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  #20  
Old 04-23-2009, 4:57 PM
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So why does the OP and I have the same problem folks?
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  #21  
Old 04-23-2009, 5:25 PM
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Pull your trigger first and see if you have the right spring in it (the disconnector spring). IIRC, both springs are about the same size. The disconnecter spring is slightly flared. If you mix them up, your trigger will still work, but your bolt stop won't. If the spring installed in your trigger isn't flared, you switched them - easy to do.

That might save you taking that pin out unnecessarily.
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  #22  
Old 04-23-2009, 8:08 PM
Yargh Yargh is offline
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Just for reference it should sit somewhat like this.

Attached Images
File Type: jpg BoltCatch.jpg (78.5 KB, 55 views)
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  #23  
Old 04-23-2009, 8:54 PM
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I had the same thing happen with a few DS LPK's.
After double checking the springs (possible disconnecter <=> bolt catch spring mix up) I had found that the sides were binding on the lower. A few passes with a flat file took care of that.

Vinz
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