Quoted:
The "chainsaw" marking is exclusive to Noveske and they just started doing it. If I had to put a time frame, at least 2 years now. I remember the Noveske blems back in the day and they were not marked. Well even if you didn't see a blem on it, it somehow failed their quality control and you got a deal on it.
Now let me ask so you can clarify, the bolt catch wouldn't fit in the slot at all? I'm talking without the spring, plunger, and pin. Trying to narrow it down. How's the pin to bolt catch hole fit?
the spring and plunger fit in the hole fine...as does the roll pin. the roll pin was tight as hell, but i got it in. the spring and plunger move freely with no binding. i put the bolt catch in for a test fit before the final installation and it felt really tight, but i thought once i drove the roll pin through it would straiten everything out and all would be fine.
well, got the roll pin in and the bolt catch was still very tight...like it was rubbing on the front side of the slot...that is where the bolt catch was showing wear once i took it out.
it could be moved by hand, but was very hard and would not move freely by any means. you had to force it and you could hear a "pop" working it up and down.
i broke two sets of walmart punches (about 25 dollars) getting the old pin out. once i did, i used a new roll pin and a new spikes bolt catch out of another kit. it did the same thing.
ive assembled about 10 lowers in my life and have never had this happen, and there is really no way to assemble it wrong, so i dont think its something im doing.
i think the slot on top is possiblymachined crooked...it also appears of have a "ridge" in the slot on the front side right above the plunger in the slot...like it wasnt machined all the way out. but that is still almost unbelievable to me with this being a noveske grade a product...so im at a loss...and you dont even wanna know how much i had to pay for it:(
ps like i said, i used to different pins and two different bolt catches and the binding was not taking place in the pin/bolt catch hold location. the binding was happening in the milled out slot on top.