Rifle Buffer is stuck on the Retaining pin. Need help freeing it up!

[Jimston]

So i have created two issues for my self today. The first issue has to do with my Buffer/Action Spring assembly.

I pushed on the buffer retaining pin so that i could remove the Buffer Spring and Buffer from the receiver extension. But after pressing on the Retaining pin, and while attempting to pull the assembly out, it ended up getting stuck in a small hole on the buffer.

The buffer is a rifle length version. The rifle being a Colt 6601C w/ standard A2 butt stock, 20" SS Heavy Barrel. The buffer is the version that Colt stopped using in the late 90's. It is black in color and made from plastic, with some sort of metal weights.

The hole which is now occupied by buffer retaining pin, is about an inch away from the end of the buffer. I need to some how depress the buffer retaining pin so that i can push the buffer back in or pull it out.

Its stuck really bad and i just cannot get it free. if i could only wedge a small tool in there so that i could press it down and free the buffer.

if anyone can help me, id greatly appreciate it.

[GTifosi]

Straightened paperclip, long jewelers screwdriver, long finishing nail of appropriate diameter, or mabe a bit of steel tie/bailing wire.

Any of those should work and be flexible enough get in there but strong enough to depress the detent.
Just shove the tool down through the rollpin from the top side.
The action spring may need to be persuaded to move a bit out of the way, but shouldn't put up much fight as it's mostly released now anyway.

Interesting that it occured at all. (I wasn't aware that it was even possible actually)
Perhaps the nib of the detent has worn down to a smaller diameter over the years?

In any event, if it's not actually defective I'd see about filling the hole in the buffer's rollpin with something so it didn't occur again.

[GTifosi]

... and the absolute worst case scenario, won't come out for nuthin' no matter what, last gasp before hitting it with a sledgehammer:

Get the receiver locked into a vice, latch onto the protrusion of the buffer with channel clocks or vice grips and twist the buffer until the detent's pin shears off.

Though I'd not do that until every other means or idea was attempted at least 3x by myself and mabe 2 other folks first.


In theory, you should be able to remove the receiver extension and end up with just enough wiggle room to get a tool between the buffer and detent by going in from the extension side of the threaded receiver hole after the spring was 'unscrewed' out the back, so even that would be something to try before attempting to shear the pin.

[40Arpent]

And then ditch the plastic buffer.....

[Iraqgunz]

Secure the lower in a vise correctly and slowly remove the lower receiver extension. This should allow you to then get it apart.

So i have created two issues for my self today. The first issue has to do with my Buffer/Action Spring assembly.

I pushed on the buffer retaining pin so that i could remove the Buffer Spring and Buffer from the receiver extension. But after pressing on the Retaining pin, and while attempting to pull the assembly out, it ended up getting stuck in a small hole on the buffer.

The buffer is a rifle length version. The rifle being a Colt 6601C w/ standard A2 butt stock, 20" SS Heavy Barrel. The buffer is the version that Colt stopped using in the late 90's. It is black in color and made from plastic, with some sort of metal weights.

The hole which is now occupied by buffer retaining pin, is about an inch away from the end of the buffer. I need to some how depress the buffer retaining pin so that i can push the buffer back in or pull it out.

Its stuck really bad and i just cannot get it free. if i could only wedge a small tool in there so that i could press it down and free the buffer.

if anyone can help me, id greatly appreciate it.

[Jimston]

Secure the lower in a vise correctly and slowly remove the lower receiver extension. This should allow you to then get it apart.

Will i be able to screw the receiver extension back on without worrying about alignment being off? It's a Rifle length extension.

Thanks.

[Iraqgunz]

All you need to do is remove the tube. Don't worry about the other. As you loosen it, it should release some pressure and you should be able to remove the buufer and spring. Just do it slowly. Then you should be able to press down on the buffer retaining pin.

Once you have the spring and buffer out, you fix everything and reinstall.

Will i be able to screw the receiver extension back on without worrying about alignment being off? It's a Rifle length extension.

Thanks.

[amd5007]

Will i be able to screw the receiver extension back on without worrying about alignment being off? It's a Rifle length extension.

Thanks.

In the A2 set-up you don't have to worry about the alignment of the receiver extension. Just remove the rear screw and stock, and unscrew the RE slowly while holding it securely so the spring doesn't catch you by surprise.

[Jimston]

It is weird that it happened at all, but not impossible. It just so happens that the detent ended up aligning its self with the small hole on the buffer when i was pulling it out.

Why would a buffer have a small hole that is just a tad bigger than the detent pin it's self? is it a drain hole? or is it there so that you can squirt some lube in there to keep the weights from rusting over time?

And if anyone can recommend a better buffer for my Rifle length Colt 6601C, I'd very much appreciate it.

I did have issues with FTE, FTF, and some short stroking when i first took the rifle to the range, but those issues no longer occur. They were due to poor magazines, faulty 15 year old ammo, and a serious lack of lube.

After getting a hold of good mags, good ammo, and then a good lube, the rifle has worked flawlessly in both hot and freezing weather. its not uncommon for me to fire 500 rounds per range trip, without suffering a single malfunction.

So, is there really a reason to change the buffer?

[Iraqgunz]

One thing at a time. Get it sorted out and then once everything is good, get a regular rifle buffer and junk the other.

It is weird that it happened at all, but not impossible. It just so happens that the detent ended up aligning its self with the small hole on the buffer when i was pulling it out.

Why would a buffer have a small hole that is just a tad bigger than the detent pin it's self? is it a drain hole? or is it there so that you can squirt some lube in there to keep the weights from rusting over time?

And if anyone can recommend a better buffer for my Rifle length Colt 6601C, I'd very much appreciate it.

I did have issues with FTE, FTF, and some short stroking when i first took the rifle to the range, but those issues no longer occur. They were due to poor magazines, faulty 15 year old ammo, and a serious lack of lube.

After getting a hold of good mags, good ammo, and then a good lube, the rifle has worked flawlessly in both hot and freezing weather. its not uncommon for me to fire 500 rounds per range trip, without suffering a single malfunction.

So, is there really a reason to change the buffer?