DPMS Bolt Catch

[groundshark]

I've got my AR 90% built... minus the bolt catch. I have a spike's lower and DPMS LPK, but the bolt catch won't fit into the notch in the lower. As I drop the catch into the notch, it gets caught at one particular spot and won't completely lodge into the notch unless I were to hammer it in.

So I bought a metal file earlier today and 4 hours and 2 sore hands later and all I'm left with is a catch that's still too wide and lacking paint on one side. I'm going to definitely grab another LPK/catch later today, but I'm pretty curious... has anyone else dealt with an issue like this? Particularly with spike's or DPMS?

[a308garand]

Glad you didn't attack the lower with the file. Always fit the less expensive parts first.

The bolt catch is very hard and I would be surprised if you removed much metal with a hand file.

The bolt catch may be slightly tapered, not square, and tapping it into place may work. This is taking a chance that it will pivot as designed once you tapped it into place.

Easier to obtain a replacement bolt catch and give it a try

[jdewolf]

I had nothing but problems with my DPMS bolt catch pin. The first one broke when I tried to force it in. I had to buy a second kit just for the bolt catch because I was too impatient to order just the part and wait for shipping. Regardless the second time around I crushed one end every so slightly and used some synthetic lube to get it in. It went in a lot smoother thankfully. I also reamed out the hole in the receiver EVER so slightly just to get out any imperfections that might be in there. I'm not sure how much that actually helped.

From what I remember I was reading up and a lot of people were having the same problem with the DMPS LPK. Mine was on a JD Machine lower if that matters at all.

[groundshark]

Here's the bolt catch after all the filing fun. The exposed metal was covered with sharpie and set into the receiver to help expose the faulty areas:

[jamesob]

The lowers are machined in 2 steps in that area and are often not perfect. Look at your lower and see if the machining has a step in it, if it does take a file and smooth it out.