308 stripped set screw?

[Randee]

Hey everyone,

hope all is well, not too long ago I purchased a 308 lower reciever from a fellow calgunner, it came with the bolt catch pre-installed - so I was excited. It has sat on my desk for the past few weeks because I have started a new job - unfortunately today when I went to assemble the lower with the lower parts kit I noticed that the bolt catch did not have any tension on it at all. I surmised that the bolt catch spring and buffer were not installed.

I thought it would be a simple fix as I had the parts in my lower parts kit but unfortunately the previous owner seems to have stripped out the set screw with holds in the bolt catch. Are there any suggestions on how I can remove this set screw without damaging my 308 lower.

any help is appreciated,
Thanks!
-randy

[motorwerks]

lets start with what brand of lower and do you have any pictures?

[Randee]

Fulton Armory and I will get some pics of it tomorrow.

It doesnt look stripped but none of my hex wrenches seem to lock into it and grab, so Im trying to figure out how to get it out without having to drill out and retap the lower.

[duggan]

If you have a set of metric and standard hex wrenches try both, if it's really stripped try using a torx bit slightly larger and tap it in, it should cut into it and give it a bite.

[motorwerks]

Uhggggg.... its the DPMS style. They kind of suck there's a stainless one someplace to replace it.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/boltcatchscrewtitan.aspx

[Seesm]

Sometimes the allen keys get rounded a lil bit ad is not tight enough to not spin in the allen hole.. You can "sharpen" the edges by grinding it fat again and removing material from the worn end... It may not be stripped just a worn allen key maybe?? Randy where are you located so maybe someone can help you?

[Randee]

Im in Walnut, Ca - im kind of upset because the person never told me that this was an issue at the same time im kind of upset for not checking it more aggressively myself.

im looking at options right now, I think the Torx idea might work but there is a place in the OC that does stuff like this so I am likely going to call them to seek there expertise.

I was just hoping someone here had the same issue and could pass along some advice

[cabinetguy]

im not sure if this helps, but on a TM lower, it is a .050" hex screw.

[Randee]

Update guys:

So I tried the torx driver being tapped into the screw, worked like a charm!

I found though that there is a buffer and buffer spring in there, but it seems to put no pressure or tension on the bolt catch. Am I missing something? The other thing is that neither the bolt catch or spring will pop out. Anyone know if this is the way the 308 platforms are supposed to be?

[ragenmoan]

i had the same problem with my pof lower and dpms lpk. the dpms lpk comes with plungers that are too short for .308 lowers. i believe you can get the longer plunger from dpms. i was able to get the bolt catch to work by putting a small ball bearing inside the spring between the 2 plungers. this effectively increases the plunger length. i'd strongly advise getting a stronger bolt catch screw. i bought cheapo ones from midway. they stripped as well. wish i had tried the torx wrench. i ended up buggering up the reciever drilling out the stripped catch screw!

[ragenmoan]

i actually used a single #8 or #7 1/2 magnum shot between the 2 plungers

[Randee]

Thanks for all the help everyone,

Drilled it out not too long ago and fixed it! I ended up taking an old spring and chopping about 2/3 of it and popping it in the hole on top of the normal spring and buffer.

Granted I dont have an upper, it seems like its working like a charm now!