Ar bolt catcher problem

[ragenmoan]

I pieced together a 80% lower from spare parts. When I pull back the bolt, the bolt catch does not seem to rise high enough to hold the bolt well. The bolts slips forward with just a slight bump. Is the lr308 or ar10 bolt catch shorter?

[TacticalPlinker]

What bolt catch are you currently using? Is this a .308 gun?

Sometimes the bolt catches are not within spec, they are too short, and allow the bolt to not hold back at all or won't hold it securely.

Did you do the work on the 80% for the bolt catch or was that part already milled & drilled? That could also be the issue.

[ragenmoan]

Not sure if it is a 308 bolt catch. I grabbed it out of my parts box. The lower is a .223. The bolt catch holder a pin hole were already made. I'm thinking that it may be a 308 bolt catch since it does not seem to go up high enough to catch the bolt well. Couldn't find any dimensions for either catch.

[TacticalPlinker]

Not sure if it is a 308 bolt catch. I grabbed it out of my parts box. The lower is a .223. The bolt catch holder a pin hole were already made. I'm thinking that it may be a 308 bolt catch since it does not seem to go up high enough to catch the bolt well. Couldn't find any dimensions for either catch.

Try replacing the bolt catch with a new piece that you know is meant for the AR-15 platform, not the AR-10/LR-308, etc... They're cheap, like $5-$10. It's an easy fix.

I don't recall off hand what the differences are between lower parts for a .308 and a .223/5.56 platform.