Getting My AR15 Bolt to Hold Open After Each Shot!

[dh1633pm]

I want to get back to using my Target Upper at F-Class. Since you can only shoot one round at a time, I purchased a DPMS Single Shot Lower. The Unsafe Act sucks.

Because of this, I don't have a MAG Well. Hence no mag to hold the bolt open after each shot. But with the bad comes the bad. Its a pain in the rear to cock the rifle after each shot so you can load it again.

I thought to myself, wouldn't it be great if the bolt would hold open after each shot, I could then load the next round without having to use the charging handle. My receiver has a grove cut in that the bolt release sits in. You can push the bottom like any other AR when you want to hold open the bolt.

Was thinking something inside this grove to keep the hold open upward just like when I mag is inserted like on a regular AR. But what?

 

[Hanzo581]

That sounds like an extremely niche issue, so I'm guessing no one makes a fix for it. Not that this would solve your issue but it would make it slightly easier to deal with maybe.

https://www.magpul.com/products/fir...neous/bad-lever-battery-assist-device-ar15-m4

 

[dh1633pm]

I pretty knew it would have to be a one off. Was thinking of some way to modify the bolt stop and not the receiver since I can always buy a new bolt stop. New receivers on the other hand .... Thanks for your answer.

 

[dh1633pm]

Hey, what if a lever like that was made of a leaf spring. A leaf spring that held the bolt release open. See how ideas spawn ideas?

 

[LoonWulf]

Can you drill a small hole under where the mags follower would contact the bolt stops tab? Then just put either a little spring under it or do a spring and plunger.

 

[dh1633pm]

I thought about that first. I think it a good idea. I could use the plunger and spring that holds it closed to hold it open.

 

[dh1633pm]

LoonWulf has the answer. I took a drill the same size as the bolt stop plunger. I then drilled a new hole in the receiver under the bolt stop in the grove the stop rides in. At first it wasn't deep enough and the plunger binded a bit. So I drilled it just a hair more. Now it works the opposite way a regular AR works. It stays in the locked position instead of the unlocked. It can also be reversed if needed. There is no longer a spring and plunger on the side.

 

[grampajack]

Sounds like you might also benefit from a bolt closing device so you're not always having to hit it with your left hand.

 

[dh1633pm]

I may at that. Will have to practice a bit with it to get it where I need it to be.

 

[LoonWulf]

Glad you got your hold open working!

I like grampajacks idea, a bad lever would turn the whole loading cycle into a right hand operation. I honestly dont know if that would help but it seems like it might.

 

[dh1633pm]

It does. I will consider that.

 

[Tirod]

Precision AR shooters install a sled which locks in place, blocking the mag well. http://www.originalbobsled.com/ARSleds.aspx

Might try Brownell's: http://www.brownells.com/magazines/...es/ar-15-1rd-bob-sled-223-5-56-prod20660.aspx

Or Midway: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2327196189/original-bob-sled-loading-block-ar-15

 

[dh1633pm]

Its already a single shot receiver and it has a nylon sled in place for the rounds to be inserted. Just place it on the sled and hit the mag release and your loaded.

 

[Varminterror]

@dh1633pm worked out a really standard single shot conversion - instead of placing the bolt catch plunger and spring in the conventional position, it's quick work to install them in a new bore drilled into the bolt catch groove in the top of the receiver. Done in this manner, the spring activates the bolt catch, instead of holding it out of the way. 10min job.

 

[dh1633pm]

Sure was Varminterror. I thought about doing it that way and then Loonwolf suggested it. I said what they heck and gave it a try. Worked great.

 

[bfoosh006]

Awesome collective solution. Kudos, Gentlemen.

 

[Varminterror]

Sounds like you might also benefit from a bolt closing device so you're not always having to hit it with your left hand.

Drill a hole in the inboard end of the bolt catch, tap if wanted, or afix with silver solder. Cut the bolt catch groove the rest of the way through the right side of the receiver. Bend a bit of drill rod stock to 90 degrees, and pound a flat on the end, file to shape. Solder the drill rod into the hole in the bolt catch. This gives you access to the bolt catch on the right side, right above the mag release, without intruding into the trigger guard with a BAD lever type extension.

 

[LoonWulf]

Thats an interesting idea, never though about that.

 

[grampajack]

Drill a hole in the inboard end of the bolt catch, tap if wanted, or afix with silver solder. Cut the bolt catch groove the rest of the way through the right side of the receiver. Bend a bit of drill rod stock to 90 degrees, and pound a flat on the end, file to shape. Solder the drill rod into the hole in the bolt catch. This gives you access to the bolt catch on the right side, right above the mag release, without intruding into the trigger guard with a BAD lever type extension.

Wouldn't you have to pull on it, though?

 

[Varminterror]

Wouldn't you have to pull on it, though?

No. Push down to close

 

[dh1633pm]

Interesting idea Varminterror. The hard part is drilling a hole is about the edge of my metal working skills. I do see it in my head. It would help a bunch to make loading easier.

 

[grampajack]

No. Push down to close

Ah, now I see.

 

[Varminterror]

I forget who makes them, but there are at least 2 companies which sell ambidextrous bolt catches, one is basically a commercial version of what I describe above, the other is a more factory looking cast part.

The good news - if you screw up, it's just a $5 bolt catch...

 

[Varminterror]

Teal Blue Bravo sells these. The user still has to modify the lower by extending the bolt catch groove, and they cost more than $7 for a mil-spec model, but it's a pretty good looking option.

 

[LoonWulf]

Damn on my list now hate the left side bolt release