Cleaning bolt catch spring and detent

Warning:

If you have any doubts in your ability to perform the following actions, stop immediately and seek assistance from a qualified gunsmith. If you need clarification on any of the steps below, please contact us to speak with a member of our support team.

Always wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) including adequate eye protection when servicing a firearm.

Sometimes debris and/or fouling can impede the movement of the bolt catch spring or detent.

Please perform the reverse steps as outlined 'Installing a bolt catch' under the 'How To' section to remove the bolt catch, detent and spring:

Take a punch or small file and run it inside the bolt catch detent hole. You can also use a small drill bit and twist it by hand. This will clean up any residue left over from the anodizing process. Sometimes this material can cause the spring to get stuck. Do this a couple of times, tipping the receiver over to remove any residue. A can of compressed air can also be used to blow out debris from the hole.

Ensure the spring is fully seated on the bolt catch detent. Sometimes you need to push it down on the detent as it does not automatically slide on all the way.

Check to see the detent and spring move freely inside the bolt catch hole. It should move down and spring back up without binding in the hole.

Once you performed the above steps reinstall the bolt catch. With the upper receiver completely removed, insert an empty magazine and see if the bolt catch fully lifts up. If it does, reattach the upper receiver and manually charge the firearm with an empty magazine to see if it holds open. If that works, please test fire the gun.

If your bolt catch dowel pin is difficult to remove due to fouling please follow these steps:

  1. Separate the lower receiver from the upper receiver
  2. Remove the bolt catch set screw
  3. Tilt the lower receiver so the front of the magazine well is facing up
  4. Jiggle the bolt catch back and forth while tapping the receiver with the soft mallet. This will typically cause the pin to slide out. If it does not, go to step 5
  5. Use a can of compressed air and spray next to the bolt catch. This should help the pin slide out of the receiver