Bolt Catch Problem

[Blockwater]

[ty423]

who built the lower?

[Blockwater]

I put it all together if that's what you're asking.

[Mozzetti]

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.

[Clark_Kent_X]

did you forget to put in the bolt catch spring?

[Blockwater]

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

[Blockwater]

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/h44/oneill311/DSC01685.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h44/oneill311/DSC01686.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h44/oneill311/DSC01687.jpg

Sorry the last pic is blurry

[Mozzetti]

Is it smooth operating with the mag out? or feeling like it is sticking?

Do you have another mag to try?

[Blockwater]

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

[Mozzetti]

Maybe. I have never had that problem due to the spring. Mostly due to weak springs in 10/20 rounders.

[Yargh]

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?

[Blockwater]

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/h44/oneill311/DSC01691.jpg

[Blockwater]

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.

[dchang0]

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.

[Yargh]

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.