Stuck dent under bolt catch... remedies?

**M4Fundi** · 07-20-20, 04:00

Started having problem with bolt locking back and leaving one round in the mag. Decided to pull the bolt catch and sure enough the detent plunger is stuck in the frame and it springs up and down, but does not come out of frame and is obviously not springing out far enough to fully engage the bolt catch.

I have drenched the thing in CLP and plunged, twisted and tried to remove with needle nose, rubber mallet, etc... exhausted my brain. Any suggestions to get it out without drilling?

**mark5pt56** · 07-20-20, 07:07

Remove the bolt catch pin, bolt catch and take a HAND HELD 5/32 drill bit, press in and turn 5 times or so keeping it straight. You may have a burr or debris in the channel. If it doesn't come out you may have to press it in and release to allow momentum to "spring" it free. That should work if not, have one more. Remember to push the detent in as far as it will go while using the bit. Once out, take an tapered punch wrap 3-400 grit paper on it and polish the inside.

**M4Fundi** · 07-20-20, 17:26

I tried all that and it is stuck. Really can't believe I might have to drill this thing. :-(

**bamashooter** · 07-20-20, 17:35

epoxy or jb weld a rod, old coat hanger, etc to it and jerk it out. or drill it and insert self-tapping screw, etc.

**mrbieler** · 07-20-20, 17:42

I know they make 5/32 rare earth magnets. Try pulling the pin out with one?

**MegademiC** · 07-20-20, 19:07

Is the spring behind the bolt catch? It should be.

Assuming yes, there has to be a burr in the channel. Keep polishing/sanding until its free.

**M4Fundi** · 07-21-20, 02:12

So, I removed the Bolt Catch. Guess what... the plunger was stuck. It would go in and out partially, but not entirely. In the first two photos you can see the plunger stuck. I thought there had to be debris inside the channel that was stopping the spring… metal shavings or what ever, then I saw the galling of the frame. The galling at the bottom is very uniform like the curved cutting slot in a cheese grater. So, I realized there must be a “lip” caused by the galling and so I sanded the lip edge away and the plunger came free. This would imply the galling was external and not internal from the plunger.

I have included photos of the frame galling (crescent shaped raw aluminum under the plunger slot) and the bolt catch part’s wear mark which appears normal to me. The plunger and spring look perfect. I cannot figure out what is causing the galling. Any ideas?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/x3c4T4HEb41mqEYD9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kzFjQXiChQ65yga9A
https://photos.app.goo.gl/D9EKu5DpbuvUpLdT6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3tyNbqMvxtth9qNr6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wbYr1c8t8rKZTCFP6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/pVseV8AMEgYanKYw8