I need to remove my ejector but don't have a special tool. What's the best way to go about it?

I use the firing pin.

For the ejector or extractor???

Maybe I am confused

On the bolt..?
Extractor/ ejector..
Same thing? ?

Eta: the (for lack of a better term) removable lug on the bolt, with the spring under it??

Different parts different function.

Extractor about 1 inch long held in place with a pin with a spring under it the front length of the bolt.  It grabs the rim of the cartridge or fired case to pull it out of the chamber

Ejector, look at face of bolt on the inter surface as you look at the firing pin hole... surrounded by the locking lugs.  Think ARFCOM bolt face logo. It is cylindrical pin and is held in a hole by a small pin with a spring behind it. When a round is seated in the chamber the ejector is pressed flush with the face of the bolt. As the case extracts from the chamber... finally clearing the barrel extension the spring pushing against the case head as the spring becomed uncompressed as the case is ejected from the bolt face and out the ejection port.

The ejector is under considerable spring tension and takes a special tool to disassemble.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/rifle-tools/bolt-tools/ejector-tools/ar-15-m16-ar-style-308-bolt-ejector-tool-prod18759.aspx

Thank you.
I did not know that.

I've done it with and without the tool. If you do it without the tool, buy a couple extra springs and ejectors beforehand.

The 'best' way without the tool is clamp it in a vice with wooden blocks and a rock or something depressing the ejector. Then hold a puch with one hand, a hammer with your other hand, and stop the bolt from rotating when you strike the punch with your third hand.

I do ejectors all the time using a cartridge case as a tool to depress the ejector while driving out the pin.

My question is WHY is ejector removal needed?  I've shot some bolts so much that they crack or shear a lug and never had to replace an ejector.

An ejector tool is not that expensive and makes it slam dunk easy, otherwise a shortened case and a vise.

Why = headspace check, cleaning and inspection, spring replacement, ejector replacement, etc.

Headspace check.

Or you can grind ejector relief on the one you have.

I bought a mil headspace gauge on the EE several years ago. It was the best money I ever spent. It does not have a rim like the commercial headspace gauges, so I never need to disassemble a bolt to check headspace!

dead simple way to hold the bolt for removal of ejector or extractor.......does require a vise....." />



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Neat idea.  I'm all thumbs when it comes  to "tapping out" pins, though, and I'd go for something like the commercially available tools.

OP, take a look at Brownell's tool here:

On the left, is a collar that holds the bolt head by the lugs - it lines up the ejector retainer pin over a clearance hole to catch the pin. On the right is a part that lets you  apply pressure to the ejector by screwing it toward the bolt.  This particular tool has a movable part that supports either 5.56mm bolts (lined up in the picture) or .308 bolts.

Now put two and two together, and rig a chunk of wood that holds the bolt lugs on one end (maybe with a pair of finishing nails the right distance apart?), and has an "L" bracket to support a bolt you turn toward the bolt face.  For cheap and easy, use a 1/4-20 bolt and nut, and stick a .380 case over the end to push against the bolt face.  Drill a hole under the position of the ejector pin - better yet, drill one on either side (that's a limitation of the Brownell's tool).   Maybe not "production" or "high volume shop" quality, but definitely doable.

In my armorer class, we learned how to use a simple bench block and another punch to hold a little pressure on the ejector when driving out the pin.  No pictures handy and it's not a simple thing to explain with words, or I'd post it here...  I'll try to get pictures to post.

Link to one you recommend?  Need to buy one soon, I'd rather not disassemble a brand new bolt if I can avoid it.

Wow.  Nice!  Thanks!

This is the one I got from Bill Ricca

034 by BLACKLIGHT007, on Flickr


035 by BLACKLIGHT007, on Flickr