Bolt catch roll pin question.

[saint7]

Need some advice and help. Went to put my rifle together and the bolt roll pin will not even start. Tried almost everything but wondering if their is another size I could use diameter wise? Sucks as I had some laser engraving done and would hate to scrap it over a roll pin. Also do not want to hammer away to make it fit bit it is insanely tight! Do not mind boring it out a little but not sure what to use as I can not find a drill bit long enough.

Thanks in advance.

Semper Fi

[CessnaDriver]

Tried sanding the pin down to size?

[pterrell]

Have you tried holding it with a pair of needlenose and then squeezing it with channel locks? That's typically how I install that pin. Tape everything of course to avoid scuffs/dings.

[saint7]

Thanks. Will give these methods a try and get some more roll pins to work with lol as I am sure it will be a trial by error.

[Tripper]

Bolt catch roll pin question.

I use a spring loaded center punch
Got at harbor freight

[saint7]

Sanding with my new dremel worked just fine and the use of taped up channel locks. Thanks everyone!

[pterrell]

Anytime! Always use excessive tape. Trust me. I have marks on freshly painted lowers from not using enough

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I've had some bolt catch pins that were reluctant to start. The cure for me was squeezing the end of the pin slightly with a pair of pliers and using a roll pin punch to hold the pin in alignment while driving it.

[fuubar67]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F219B7oQVuk

Just go to OSH or Dales and grab 3/32 x 7/16 or 1/2 spring roll pin.

[AreWeFree]

I've had some bolt catch pins that were reluctant to start. The cure for me was squeezing the end of the pin slightly with a pair of pliers and using a roll pin punch to hold the pin in alignment while driving it.

I do the same thing. Roll pin punches, a bit of lube, lower vise block, and a good hammer are also useful tools for assembling AR lowers.

[Cheep]

I bevel one end slightly on a belt sander and then use taped channel lock pliers and squeeze it in instead of hitting it with a hammer.

[saint7]

Yup.... it was sand and squeeze for me with channel locks. Works great!

[RandyD]

I was having the same problem last night. Searched YouTube and found this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4HteQYanR4. Tonight I tried his technique and it works. Simply mask the receiver on both ends of where the pin holes are, file the end of the pin to create a bevel so that it will insert into the hole and then use vise grips to press the pin into place.

[xsefan]

Use knipex parallel jaw pliers! No scratchy scratchy

[ar15barrels]

Need some advice and help. Went to put my rifle together and the bolt roll pin will not even start.

Have you measured the pin diameter?
The proper method is to measure across the end gap at the end of the coil so you are getting the SMALLEST possible outside diameter of the pin.



There are a lot of bad parts kits floating around with oversized (metric instead of inch) bolt catch pins.
When you run into these, the only fix is to throw away the crappy pin and get a proper one.