AR15, Firing Pin Retainer & Bolt Issue??

[x_wrench]

So, I decided to do a cleaning and inspection on my AR15. It now has a whopping 55 rounds thru it. and I figured if there was something amiss, this would be a good time to catch it, rather than wait, and find something that has caused real damage. the gun is working fine, so I didn't expect to find anything major. and I do not see anything major, but I did find a couple of minor issues. the first and biggest, is that the firing pin retainer pin took a ridiculous amount of effort to remove. I had to use needle nose pliers and twist back and fourth while pulling pretty hard on it to get it out. it looks like a solid pin rather than the slightly split apart key that I see in all of the you tube video's. trying to install a new key did not go well either. it does not want to go in by hand, and I believe that I would have to resort to forcing it into place. and it would likely be the same as the original. I'm wondering if the hole did not get drilled all the way open. I would like to know the size of hole that is supposed to be, so I can check it by hand using my drill index.

the second issue is that the bolt takes enough force to make it move in and out while twisting it really digs into my fingers hard enough that I can only make it move twice before I have to stop because of pain. I understand that the rifle is new, and has to break in. but I don't know if it should be this stiff or not.

 

[d2wing]

I don't know about the first item, but I did have a bolt on a PSA premium BCG that was like that and it affected accuracy. I tried switching parts and using emery cloth on it but it never was right. Replaced with a BCM BCG and all is good. Some brands have better tolerances than others.

 

[Riomouse911]

Is there a specific brand of AR bolt you’ve got so you can call the manufacturer or did you piece it together out of various parts?

If it’s all from one maker, there are times a max spec bolt meets a min spec BCG and fitting them together is tougher, but it shouldn’t be a chore to get them to fit. Same for the retaining pin.

If it runs well I would just lube it properly and keep firing it as is and let the parts seat like the break in period on a cars engine.

Stay safe.

 

[bfoosh006]

And your gas rings should wear in soon enough.

 

[Demi-human]

55,000 pounds of pressure should make the bolt operate pretty smooth…
Well actually it more like 1200 pounds acting on the gas key, but you know what I mean.

I too would like to see the pin. I have KNS pins for many of my ARs. Some pins are stiffer than others but are easily done by handpick. A little bit of smoothing to the “points” of the legs so they don’t catch any ledges could work too. (On the new one. And get a few spares too.)

When it doesn’t take effort to remove the bolt, it’s time to replace the gas rings.

I recommend at least six hundred rounds before cleaning. Then there will be enough built up to know where to look for cleaning. Unless you’re using American Eagle, then a hundred will have it dirty enough.

 

[mshootnit]

you should be able to grab the complete BCG with bolt pushed in and whiplash it with your wrist, the bolt should whip out all the way.