AR 15 Bolt Catch Sticking

[CovertGunny]

I've got this ongoing problem with a new AR of mine, by new I mean <750 rounds through it.

Problem: Empty a magazine and bolt stays open because of the bolt catch. Insert new magazine and you should be able to just hit the bolt catch button and slams bcg forward. However, my bolt catch has to almost be pounded with my fist to get it to release. The kicker is I only notice this problem when I'm at the range and started putting some rounds through it. I take the gun home and manually cycle the same mag with a dummy round and a live round (outside in safe direction) and no problem bolt releases with ease.
I also noticed that the magazine gets harder to insert after firing as well. Sure, sometimes mags need some authority to insert, but this is extreme force needed. I believe it does it when the bcg is forward, I don't recall having to give it extra authority when the bcg was locked to the rear.

Steps I've Taken:
1) swapped bolt catch with a new one from seekins along with new spring
2) white glove cleaned it and inspected for burrs/debris
3) swapped out another lower at the range from another ar of mine and the problem still persisted. Therefore, it can't be anything to do with the lower or buffer spring, because that lower works fine on my other gun.

My next step is possibly swapping out bcg at the range, maybe something wasn't machined right at the factory on the one i got in right now.

Any help/assistance/encouragement is appreciated really starting to run out of ideas. Really hoping I don't have to deal with RRA the manufacturer cause their customer service is garbage.

 

[cdparker]

The Guru says that most problems with an AR having problems can be blamed on the magazine. That's where I would look.
Just a thought.

 

[CovertGunny]

I feel like I have about 5 - 10 bad magazines then, as I typically use a number of different ones in an outing. Those same mags are used in another AR and no problems. Not to mention even with the magazine removed if I try pressing the bolt release after firing it still doesn't release like it should.

 

[nicholst55]

Okay, having this problem with that many mags kind of eliminates them as the cause. Go ahead and try another bolt carrier and see if the problem persists. Is this a factory assembled rifle with a warranty, or a parts gun?

 

[mac86951]

Separate the upper from the lower and try the mag and bolt-release without the upper. Still hard to move mag release with magazine?

if so:
I bet the bolt is causing the mag-release to push forward, meaning there is too much slop between the mag-release and the slot in which it fits. Many ways to fix it, however, I'd look at the roll pin first.

-Mac

 

[CovertGunny]

separated the upper from lower. Threw a couple mags in and all of them went in smoothly came out easy, bolt release seemed normal. I'm not surprised as I tried switching out the lower already with one I know works and same problem with the bolt release.

Tomorrow will be a range trip to swap out bcg, i'd swap them out at home, but like I mentioned i only really notice the bolt release sticking after I started running rounds through it. At home after everything is cooled down it seems to run like normal in the basement. I can't say for sure when I first notice it like round 20 or round 50, but I'll pay closer attention to that tomorrow.

Factory gun not parts gun, If I can't solve it myself, I'll have to look into the warranty. I just was hoping to avoid warranty hassle.

 

[CovertGunny]

Here is my report from the range. I narrowed the problem to something I never thought of it until I literally changed out every other part with another gun.
I forgot all about the muzzle brake versus my suppressor. I have a suppressor on my AR that is having the bolt release problem. I literally have no idea where to go from here. It is a gemtech g5 suppressor, so it isn't a knock off. It cycles every round, but I'm wondering if there isn't quite enough recoil to have the buffer spring get fully compressed; therefore, the bcg would be getting short changed and get jammed up on the bolt release.

Right now take suppressor off and throw regular muzzle brake on problem is gone, put it back on bolt release is hard to use. Does the same thing for two different guns. I used reloads and even tried some factory ammo it made no difference. Hot loads and light loads both did same.

HELP!

 

[cdparker]

Here is a quick check on the correct gas. Put a magazine in it with one cartridge. Drop the bolt and put pressure on the bolt stop to the up side. Fire that round and look to see if the bolt face is locked behind the stop. That will tell you if you have enough gas running the gun. Sometimes a short gas situation will let the BCG hang up on the front of the carrier.
More thought.
Craig

 

[CovertGunny]

after some investigating, what are your thoughts on that it is actually getting too much gas as with the suppressor on their is increased back pressure, which would cause the bcg to go farther back into the buffer tube: therefore, compressing the spring more and coming forward quicker and harder causing the bolt to get pressed with increase pressure on the bolt catch.

 

[mac86951]

More gas wouldn't cause the problem initially, (in steady state the spring pressure is the same). Over time, you would loosen the bolt catch by hammering it which would cause your problem. Check the roll-pin to see if you've bent it, or the bolt catch to see if it is loose front to back (axially along the barrel). If so, hopefully a new roll pin will fix it, otherwise it might be a lower receiver issue and you should be able to drill align a larger pin.

-Mac

 

[cdparker]

You do know that there are several adjustable gas blocks. Go look at Brownells and take your pick. It will come down to turning a set screw to tune the gas to the upper. Do check out your bolt stop and pin though. Your firing the upper with an excessive amount of gas can bend things. Keep us advised.
Craig

 

[nicholst55]

Look into the Noveske Switchblock. it's made for use of a suppressor, and shuts off the gas system.

 

[CovertGunny]

Checked pins and things like that switching out uppers and lowers from other guns trying to narrow the problem. 100% it is the suppressor overgassing. Anytime the suppressor wasnt on everything worked fine, installing a syrac adj gas block ill report back if it solved everything.

 

[mac86951]

Checked pins and things like that switching out uppers and lowers from other guns trying to narrow the problem. 100% it is the suppressor overgassing. Anytime the suppressor wasnt on everything worked fine, installing a syrac adj gas block ill report back if it solved everything.

Good to know, thanks for the update.

-Mac