Carrier Reassembly/ Firing Pin Question > AR Discussions

Posted: 12/7/2004 3:59:46 PM EDT

Ok, this was my first time taking my carrier assembly apart, Ok, easy no problem. Then after cleaning it was time to put back together. My instruction booklet said fully seat the firing pin and then turn the carrier upside down and the firing pin should not fall out. It fell out every time. I got the retaining pin back in. Is there a wrong way to put the firing pin back in? After getting the rifle fully put back together, I put my cleaning rod down the barrel and let the plastic jag rest against the bolt and pulled the trigger, I could see the rod jumping, so I am guessing that it all works. Is there a firing pin safety on an AR? If so is there a way to manually bypass it to check that the firing pin moves properly? Thanks for any and all input.

Posted: 12/7/2004 4:37:45 PM EDT

[#1]

Did you put it in with the fireing pin still able to fall out?

If so DO NOT FIRE THAT WEAPON!!!.

Take it apart again.

The fireing pin looks like a sword. The retaining pin should be behind of the part that looks like the guard of a sword. If this was a sword, the retaining pin would be on the handle of the sword.

The bolt should be all the way inside the carrier. Drop the fireing pin and you should see the very tip of the fireing pin protruding out from the bolt. Now insert the retaining pin and see that the retaining pin is behind the large round part of the fireing pin.

Finish assembly and do a function/safety check. If you don't know what that is, then post again.

Posted: 12/7/2004 5:58:43 PM EDT

[#2]

Crappy pic, but the retaining pin is visible on the left keeping the firing pin from falling out.

Posted: 12/7/2004 6:14:43 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Ok, this was my first time taking my carrier assembly apart, Ok, easy no problem. Then after cleaning it was time to put back together. My instruction booklet said fully seat the firing pin and then turn the carrier upside down and the firing pin should not fall out. It fell out every time. I got the retaining pin back in. Is there a wrong way to put the firing pin back in?

First off DO NOT fire this weapon till you fix the problem.

Your problem is you haven't put the bolt carrier assembly back together properly.

Remove the firing pin retaining pin (that cotter pin like thingy).

Now install the firing pin push it in all the way (also push in the bolt - you should see the tip of the firing pin sticking out on the bolt face).

NOW put in the firing pin retaining pin.

Tip the bolt carrier upside down - the firing pin will not fall out.

Remember the steps the assemble a bolt Carrier:
1) insert Bolt
2) Cam Pin
3) Firing Pin
4) Firing Pin retaining pin.

When in doubt follow along with the photos: Reassemble your AR-15

Posted: 12/7/2004 6:35:19 PM EDT

[#4]

Thank you all for your help, I did take the assembly back apart and followed the pictures. I now understand what the book was saying. Again, thank you for your help....

Posted: 12/7/2004 8:54:42 PM EDT

[#5]

It is probably unnecessary to say this, but, before fiddling with the firing pin and firing pin retaining pin, make sure that you have inserted the bolt cam pin corectly. If it is lined up 90 degrees in the wrong direction, the firing pin cannot be inserted into the captured (by the carrier) bolt.

If you were able to insert the firing pin, either the bolt cam pin is correctly positioned, or it is not there at all. If not there, the rifle may well blow up when fired (because the bolt won't be turned by the carrier to lock it in place when fired). The bolt gas rings in new rifles are usually tight enough in their fit in the carrier that they will hold the bolt in the carrier even with the bolt cam pin missing. The bolt will rotate freely if this is the case.

Then, what the others say...

Warning

Confirm Action

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Carrier Reassembly/ Firing Pin Question

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Carrier Reassembly/ Firing Pin Question