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Posted: 1/23/2004 5:09:38 PM EDT
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Hi, I am building for the first time and have run into a difficulty installing the bolt catch. The bolt catch simply does not seem to fit my stripped lower. I am using a eagle arms stripped lower (M15) and purchased a J&T upper and parts kit (EM4). I have followed the diagram and instructions listed on this site. Is there possibly a mistake in the matching of the parts that could occur or is there something that I could be missing? It seems that I should be able to simply slide the bolt catch into the lower per the drawing and slide the pin through the hole in the assembly and the bolt catch, but the bolt catch will not readily slide into the housing to align the holes for the pin. Thanks Joe |
| Had the same problem on one of my builds. Old proverb says to modify the cheepest part. I relieved (read: filed) the bolt catch on each side until it slid in smoothly in the groove. Then, reblued the catch, lubricated, and installed. Works perfectly. Something is out of spec slightly, so you will have to fix it and move on. That is the life of a builder. Sounds to me like you are doing things the right way though. |
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Hi, have an update to this issue with new questions. Tried to file as the previous post suggested and could only get a very tight squeeze with the catch fit and decided it better to just order a new catch from Quantico which they checked for sizing in a new lower receiver before sending. Received the new bolt catch yesterday and finished the build with the new bolt catch (by the way, didn't actually measure it, but the new catch had a "visual" difference in size compared to the original J&T which really surprised me) I have not tried to test fire the rifle, but The catch does seem to have very restricted movement at best. Is it normal to have such a tight fit? Is the movement of the catch something that improves with use or am I dealing with an issue that I should resolve prior to test-firing? (frankly, I dread the thought getting the roll pin back out) Is the only use of the bolt catch to hold the bolt open after the last round in the magazine? I am just trying to gauge the risk of test firing with the bolt catch movement in question. I really appreciate all the help and would say that except for this, my build was straight forward. |
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The bolt catch should move freely against spring pressure. If the top part is stuck out or away from the bolt, the worst that will happen is that the latch won't hold the bolt open on the last round. Yur prolly gonna have to whittle that puppy (latch) down till it moves freely. At thois point, you're going to have to remove the latch and look in the slot to see where it's rubbing. The finish of the receiver should be abraded where the latch is getting stuck. Just be sure that it's not the hammer resticting movement. Flip the top forward, hold the hammer back a tad and see if the latch moves freely. If it's the hammer bearing heavily on the latch that's causing the problem, then use a hard Arkansas stone to hone the front of the hammer, in the area where it contacts latch and do the same on the latch. Incidentally, the bolt catch on both my ARs wiggle noticeable with the rifles assembled. One is a home built (bout 12 years ago) the other is a comercial Colt factory built. EDIT: I just picked up my 3 Eagle (Quantico)receivers from my FFL holder. I've tried each one of them with a tactical bolt latch (the kind that's easy to make the bolt stay open without a mag in there). I think DPMS makes it. Anyway it fits perfectly in all 3. |
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Good information on the sizing of the parts. I checked the J&T bolt catch I first tried and came up with 0.152" I am beginning to think the lower is just tight relative to ID and would be curious as to whether or not others with the eagle lowers have run into this issue at all. There is no way that the catch I installed will move freely without being milled (filed) down some for fit and it is certainly smaller that the one I measured above because the J&T one above would not fit at all. thanks again for the comments |
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