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10/15/2011 7:47:16 AM EDT
Does anyone know if all bolt catches are the same size.I have a daniels defense lower part kit and the bolt catch that comes in it is not long enough to touch the pmags. It will only work on the old Gi metal ones. I saw a post were someone made one out of a 9mm conversion but was wondering if anyone made one that was longer .Thanks
10/15/2011 8:18:08 AM EDT
[#1]
Can you post a pic? I have a Daniel Defense lower parts kit in one of my rifles and it has had no problems with PMAGs.

<edit>
I compared the DD bolt catch size to two other rifles and they appear to be the same.
</edit>
10/15/2011 8:32:40 AM EDT
[#2]
Pmags will not work with some bolt catches.
Their follower is made differently so it will not always lock the bolt back like the GI mag will.

ETA- You might not be able to see it but here is a good thread documenting it.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_17/536825_PMAG_Issue_Locking_Bolt_Back.html
10/15/2011 9:59:51 AM EDT
[#3]
Thank you..... the only thread that came up when i did the search was one where a guy made one out of a 9mm conversion  .....  colt bolt catch is longer then going to have to order that Thanks Again.
10/15/2011 10:22:52 AM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Does anyone know if all bolt catches are the same size.I have a daniels defense lower part kit and the bolt catch that comes in it is not long enough to touch the pmags. It will only work on the old Gi metal ones. I saw a post were someone made one out of a 9mm conversion but was wondering if anyone made one that was longer .Thanks


Yes they are all the same.  However, I believe the latest Pmag followers are a dark green color and may have addressed that issue.
What color is the follower in you pmag?
10/15/2011 10:33:13 AM EDT
[#5]
No they are not all the same. I measured a bunch of different ones once just to see. There were differences in lengths of the arm and thickness of the lower section. Problem is manufacturers use different suppliers and there is no real way to be sure what you will get. Then there is always a chance the lower or mag parts are off a little so it is what it is.
10/15/2011 10:42:39 AM EDT
[#6]
And I just started to switch over to Pmags too. I guess I will keep on with my change over till I get some that don't work. I won't give up my USGI mags though.
10/15/2011 12:12:33 PM EDT
[#7]
it is usually the lower that is out of spec and contributing to the issue, not necessarily the bolt catch

i tried a 'different' catch first and all that did was give me a spare bolt catch :)

I used the modified 9mm bolt catch mentioned in the stickied post under troubleshooting in my Rguns/sportwerks lower.

it worked in my instance ... very well
You will cut about 1/4" from the 9mm catch for it to fit up and extend to the follower and still maintain clearance
with the cartridges in the magazine.

The 9mm catch is the longest there are i believe.

10/15/2011 12:43:50 PM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
it is usually the lower that is out of spec and contributing to the issue, not necessarily the bolt catch

i tried a 'different' catch first and all that did was give me a spare bolt catch :)

I used the modified 9mm bolt catch mentioned in the stickied post under troubleshooting in my Rguns/sportwerks lower.

it worked in my instance ... very well
You will cut about 1/4" from the 9mm catch for it to fit up and extend to the follower and still maintain clearance
with the cartridges in the magazine.

The 9mm catch is the longest there are i believe.


+1
The lower may be slightly off and another Colt bolt catch may not fix the issue.
When I tried to get my lower in shape, the 9mm bolt catch was the only answer....unless I ran only USGI mags in that rifle.

Colt parts are held to a high level of quality and that would be my choice to replace the old parts to see if that fixes the issue. Next step would be fitting the 9mm catch.

Good luck
10/15/2011 12:56:52 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
No they are not all the same. I measured a bunch of different ones once just to see. There were differences in lengths of the arm and thickness of the lower section. Problem is manufacturers use different suppliers and there is no real way to be sure what you will get. Then there is always a chance the lower or mag parts are off a little so it is what it is.


I think he is talking about the part of the bolt catch that catches the bolt.  Not the paddle.  That part would have to be the same dimension..
10/15/2011 3:57:36 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Does anyone know if all bolt catches are the same size.I have a daniels defense lower part kit and the bolt catch that comes in it is not long enough to touch the pmags. It will only work on the old Gi metal ones. I saw a post were someone made one out of a 9mm conversion but was wondering if anyone made one that was longer .Thanks


Yes they are all the same.  However, I believe the latest Pmag followers are a dark green color and may have addressed that issue.
What color is the follower in you pmag?


Quoted:
Quoted:
No they are not all the same. I measured a bunch of different ones once just to see. There were differences in lengths of the arm and thickness of the lower section. Problem is manufacturers use different suppliers and there is no real way to be sure what you will get. Then there is always a chance the lower or mag parts are off a little so it is what it is.


I think he is talking about the part of the bolt catch that catches the bolt.  Not the paddle.  That part would have to be the same dimension..


If you read the thread I linked to it shows that they are different lengths, and thats where the problem comes from when using pmags.


Quoted:
I've seen this trouble when using the DPMS parts kit's Bolt catch.

the DPMS both catch is TOO SHORT

DPMS vs. COLT



DPMS BOLT CATCH FAILS...




REPLACED WITH COLT ...

10/15/2011 6:18:19 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Does anyone know if all bolt catches are the same size.I have a daniels defense lower part kit and the bolt catch that comes in it is not long enough to touch the pmags. It will only work on the old Gi metal ones. I saw a post were someone made one out of a 9mm conversion but was wondering if anyone made one that was longer .Thanks


Yes they are all the same.  However, I believe the latest Pmag followers are a dark green color and may have addressed that issue.
What color is the follower in you pmag?


Quoted:
Quoted:
No they are not all the same. I measured a bunch of different ones once just to see. There were differences in lengths of the arm and thickness of the lower section. Problem is manufacturers use different suppliers and there is no real way to be sure what you will get. Then there is always a chance the lower or mag parts are off a little so it is what it is.


I think he is talking about the part of the bolt catch that catches the bolt.  Not the paddle.  That part would have to be the same dimension..


If you read the thread I linked to it shows that they are different lengths, and thats where the problem comes from when using pmags.


Quoted:
I've seen this trouble when using the DPMS parts kit's Bolt catch.

the DPMS both catch is TOO SHORT

DPMS vs. COLT
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/AR/IMGP5694.jpg


DPMS BOLT CATCH FAILS...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/AR/IMGP5612.jpg


REPLACED WITH COLT ...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/derek45/AR/IMGP5695.jpg


Got it, I thought he was talking about the height of the catch that catches the bolt itself, not the mag.
10/17/2011 2:46:34 AM EDT
[#12]
I have a DD LPK and I think my bolt catch is too narrow where it sits in the receiver. It had a lot of side to side wiggle which makes my BAD lever not work. Lower is a billet LaRue so I don't think it is out of spec.
10/17/2011 3:17:45 AM EDT
[#13]
I had 2 lowers that had the magwell machined too far forward. They did the same thing, no BHO. The manufacturer replaced both of them and gave me an incredible deal on some other stuff. This particular manufacturer cuts the magwell by EDM and the machine apparently had a worn part. It is good to let companies know that there is or may be a problem, so that they do not just keep cranking out lowers on an improperly set up or malfunctioning machine. You can check for the magwell being off by measuring (with a mic) the thickness of the front wall of the magwell and measuring from the innner front of the magwell to the front side of the hole where the catch goes. I don't have time to measure any right now, but can give you some numbers from different manufacturers when I get back home from work. Or, maybe you can post those measurements and some others can help out with confirmation of whether or not they are within tolerance. Hope it works out.
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