Broken Bolt Catch paddle

[t0tln00b]

So on my first trip to the range, the paddle of the bolt catch broke on my AR15. Now, before SB281, not exactly good but not that big a deal. But after sb281, what happens if I accidentally break off one of the "ears" when backing out the roll pin? Don't want to be SOL, so I am seriously considering sending it to a 'Smith, just to make sure I still have a lower...I am over thinking/worrying about this???

 

[Ungermc]

You can replace DIY with a tactical release from DPMS - http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/bolt-hardware/bolt-catches/ar-15-tactical-bolt-release-prod5565.aspx
or
Standard release from Windham Weaponry - http://www.windhamweaponry.com/shopexd.asp?id=96

 

[t0tln00b]

You can replace DIY with a tactical release from DPMS - http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/bolt-hardware/bolt-catches/ar-15-tactical-bolt-release-prod5565.aspx
or
Standard release from Windham Weaponry - http://www.windhamweaponry.com/shopexd.asp?id=96

Thanks! CMMG is actually going to send me a replacement. But I am worried about backing out the existing roll-pin - what are the chances I will break off the part? I broke the ear on the trigger guard already so I am skittish I guess

 

[clandestine]

I'm not trying to scare you into using a Smith but I see ALOT of jacked up lowers from stupid use of punches, vises and channel locks/vise grips.

Broken off bolt catch and trigger guard ears can be fixed but you won't like the cost of that repair at all. I charge $400.00 for that.

 

[Kevp]

OP, how did that happen? I have never seen it in nearly 30 years of using the M16 FWS. Did you put the lower together? If so, what brand of parts kit did you use?

 

[NateIU10]

OP, how did that happen? I have never seen it in nearly 30 years of using the M16 FWS. Did you put the lower together? If so, what brand of parts kit did you use?

Only time I have ever seen it is when someone drops the hammer with no upper on it...

 

[t0tln00b]

Only time I have ever seen it is when someone drops the hammer with no upper on it...

Nope - haven't done that. This one was "my baby" - Seekins lower, BCM upper. I was very excited for it....got to shoot one mag. To be honest, I don't exactly know what happened. We were shooting in a group. I lent it to a guy who didn't have one and next thing I know, he is handing it back saying it broke. Sigh....

KevP - I did assemble it - from CMMG parts kit.

 

[NateIU10]

Nope - haven't done that. This one was "my baby" - Seekins lower, BCM upper. I was very excited for it....got to shoot one mag. To be honest, I don't exactly know what happened. We were shooting in a group. I lent it to a guy who didn't have one and next thing I know, he is handing it back saying it broke. Sigh....

KevP - I did assemble it - from CMMG parts kit.

If there was no dry-firing, I would just chalk it up to faulty parts. There are worse parts that could fail, and at least it's a cheap fix.

 

[clandestine]

It was just a weak part. It happens.

 

[t0tln00b]

I'm not trying to scare you into using a Smith but I see ALOT of jacked up lowers from stupid use of punches, vises and channel locks/vise grips.

Broken off bolt catch and trigger guard ears can be fixed but you won't like the cost of that repair at all. I charge $400.00 for that.

I know the great work you do so if it comes to it, I would rather spend $400 and have a working lower, than not have a working lower...
Knew I should have bought another 2 or 3 or 10 lowers before Oct 1.

 

[covertpanda]

So on my first trip to the range, the paddle of the bolt catch broke on my AR15. Now, before SB281, not exactly good but not that big a deal. But after sb281, what happens if I accidentally break off one of the "ears" when backing out the roll pin? Don't want to be SOL, so I am seriously considering sending it to a 'Smith, just to make sure I still have a lower...I am over thinking/worrying about this???

Or get it threaded; it made assembling the lowers way easier.

 

[clandestine]

I know the great work you do so if it comes to it, I would rather spend $400 and have a working lower, than not have a working lower...
Knew I should have bought another 2 or 3 or 10 lowers before Oct 1.

I appreciate it. Let me clarify, to swap that part I would charge $10.00 plus the cost of the part.

The $400.00 is if someone broke the Bolt Catch Ears off the receiver and I was to repair it.

 

[t0tln00b]

I appreciate it. Let me clarify, to swap that part I would charge $10.00 plus the cost of the part.

The $400.00 is if someone broke the Bolt Catch Ears off the receiver and I was to repair it.

Roger that!

 

[budman93]

I appreciate it. Let me clarify, to swap that part I would charge $10.00 plus the cost of the part.

The $400.00 is if someone broke the Bolt Catch Ears off the receiver and I was to repair it.

What do you have to do to repair that?

 

[niftyvt]

What do you have to do to repair that?

I would assume welding would be involved

Chad, do you have any before and after picks of a bolt catch ear repair? Ive seen the ones on the trigger guard ear repair and they were fantastic!

 

[clandestine]

I don't have the ability to weld AR receivers. Unfortunately I do t have any before or after photos. I am cataloging my work currently and when I get another I will post detailed photos.

What I do is machine out the damaged area and more and make a replacement piece that's threaded into the receiver. Its done by a fantastic gunsmith that repairs M16 lowers.

http://www.m60joe.com/

 

[niftyvt]

I don't have the ability to weld AR receivers. Unfortunately I do t have any before or after photos. I am cataloging my work currently and when I get another I will post detailed photos.

What I do is machine out the damaged area and more and make a replacement piece that's threaded into the receiver. Its done by a fantastic gunsmith that repairs M16 lowers.

http://www.m60joe.com/

I was thinking thread something in or weld it but I didnt think there was enough material to thread something in like that. Very cool.

That m60joe site is quite entertaining thanks for the link.

 

[t0tln00b]

I don't have the ability to weld AR receivers. Unfortunately I do t have any before or after photos. I am cataloging my work currently and when I get another I will post detailed photos.

What I do is machine out the damaged area and more and make a replacement piece that's threaded into the receiver. Its done by a fantastic gunsmith that repairs M16 lowers.

http://www.m60joe.com/

That is cool! Hopefully it doesn't come to that, tho...but good to know there are options!

 

[smores]

I'm not trying to scare you into using a Smith but I see ALOT of jacked up lowers from stupid use of punches, vises and channel locks/vise grips.

Sometimes I'm glad I don't have to fix ARs on a regular basis...

(Oh and check your PMs! I sent you one a few days a go. Y u no respond? :'()

Si vis pacem, para bellvm.

 

[clandestine]

Sometimes I'm glad I don't have to fix ARs on a regular basis...

(Oh and check your PMs! I sent you one a few days a go. Y u no respond? :'()

Si vis pacem, para bellvm.

Off to check now. I haven't looked at them in about a week.