Oversize AR15 cam pin?

[MetalHead]

Checked my bolts the other day and found my spare 7.62x39 bolt's cam pin hole is kinda loose, maybe 3 or 4 thousanths which for a hole this short is kinda loose.
I have some O-2 drill rod I could make a pin to fit but when the standard pin is five bucks it really seems like wasted effort. Oh yeah found a 2nd bolt thats as loose a 5.56 marked with a D, neither of these bolts has been fired more than 20 rounds.

So is there a source for oversized cam pins?

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Oversize cam pin? Never heard of one. If you really want one I'm sure a machine shop cound CNC machine one out of billet and sent it off for heat treating. It would definitely be cost prohibitive though.

 

[MetalHead]

It would take ten times as long to write the code than make one on a old style Southbend lathe, don't even need a mill just file the head to shape. Main thing holding me back is not knowing the sutibility of the steel I have on hand or can get easily. I even have access to a electric heat treat oven. Still several hours to make and if god one could be bought that would be better.
Thankyou for you reply....

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I know drill rod is harder than the hubs of hell but I'm not sure how it would hold up as a cam pin. My suspicion is that it is so hard that it is on the brittle side. I could be wrong but that is my inclination.

 

[BBBBill]

I would first determine if it was in fact out of spec. Take some accurate measurements of the cam pin and the hole in the bolt. Post up for on of the gurus to see and go from there.

 

[navyretired 1]

I thought I'dposted once and I don't think I said anything to get it removed.
I've seen High round count bolts with this problem and three of them were brokenin half all three and the one's that were real loose hand worn bolt pin holes. I used one of the broken bolts for a barrel extension removal wrench, Just welded it a 1/2 drive socket. I would definitly retire any bolts which were worn oversize as one of my bolt breaks destroyed carrier and upper. I was very surprized but it didn't visually damage barrel extension but it was a little rough with new bolt so it got retired too. needed lathe work to bring headspace in spec but no chamber work.

 

[MetalHead]

One word of correction O-2 drill rod is not supplied hard, it is a tool steel in a soft enough state to cut easily as long as you don't let it heat up. Those who are handy with (not me) it heat treat with a torch and dunking in oil then temper with the torch. It is sold at places like Fastenall in a rack next to the readybolt/allthread rod. Thing is a failed cam pin could cause the next round fired to kaboom. In that regard its much safer to have the bolt fail at the cam pin hole, to bad the fix costs ten times as much, as long as there are no kabooms.

Navyretired, been looking for a broken bolt like that for just that reason.

 

[navyretired 1]

MetalHead, PM with E-mail address and will get one to You if I can find the last one, I've turned 2 into wrenches now. one Is 1/2" drive and one is 3/8" drive. I'd be happy to share. Navy