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Need advice on over-sized bolt catch.....

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Need advice on over-sized bolt catch..... was created by faawrenchbndr

As some are aware, I have a bolt catch break at the paddle recently.
Mrraley sent me a Gen 1 bolt catch.....awesome guy!

Armalite sent me a Gen 2 today. However, it does not fit the receiver.
The width of the Gen 2 bolt catch is too wide at the pivot, by about .012"
Would it be ok to stone this piece to the width of the Gen 1 bolt catch?

When did they start making these mim?
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Last edit: 11 years 1 month ago by faawrenchbndr.
11 years 1 month ago #18476

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Replied by Sharkey on topic Need advice on over-sized hammer Please...

How's that? :wave:


With the one you have, at least you have time to research whether you can get the Gen II to fit FWB... :)
11 years 1 month ago #18477

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Replied by faawrenchbndr on topic Need advice on over-sized hammer Please...

Don't really think this should have been moved to the "custom work" section, but ok.

Don't understand your statement Sharkey. :blink:
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11 years 1 month ago #18478

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Replied by Sharkey on topic Need advice on over-sized hammer Please...

When you mentioned that you didn't see the "gunsmith" section, I figured you wanted it moved there.

My mistake.

It'll be fixed in a sec... :thumbs:
11 years 1 month ago #18481

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Replied by Sharkey on topic Need advice on over-sized hammer Please...

As for my statement, you had a thread saying you had a broken bolt catch. Then you said MrRaley sent you one. Gen I

Then you said Armalite sent you one that was a Gen II and it was too wide.

Am I missing something here or don't you now have 2 bolt catches?

If I am misunderstanding something and way off, sorry in advance.
11 years 1 month ago #18482

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Replied by jtallen83 on topic Need advice on over-sized hammer Please...

I've never messed with a MIM part myself but I know some do. Most 1911 pistols are full of them and they get fitted, some better than others I guess.
I vote you try it, not because of any specific knowledge I have but rather knowledge I'd like to have. If you break it then I'll know what not to do! :thumbs:
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11 years 1 month ago #18483

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Replied by LebbenB on topic Need advice on over-sized hammer Please...

If removed carefully, I don't think you would compromise the integrity of the part by removing .012 of an inch, MIM or not.

I would certainly call/e-mail Armalite with the question and see what they had to say.
RLTW
11 years 1 month ago #18486

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Replied by faawrenchbndr on topic Need advice on over-sized hammer Please...


Yes Mrraley sent me a Gen 1 bolt catch, those only work with Gen 1 mags.
Armalite sent me a Gen 2 bolt catch, they work with Gen 1 & 2 mags.

The issue at hand, and the question asked was, "is it ok to stone the bolt catch's width to fit the receiver" Armalite clearly screwed the pooch with this part, assume there are many more out of spec.
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11 years 1 month ago #18487

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Replied by OleCowboy on topic Need advice on over-sized hammer Please...

In my early days I was a machinist (AFL-CIO-IAM, Dallas local) and I worked in a rather exacting industry, often making things fit. We are dealing with .012...off the top of my head I would agree with lebben...that said will you need to drill out the pivot holes deeper to accommodate the pivot pin or make any other modifications other than just widening the slot?

If you want to widen the slot I would suggest you follow the same routing just .012 larger...but a call to ArmaLite may negate everything I just said...
11 years 1 month ago #18490

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Replied by Sharkey on topic Need advice on over-sized hammer Please...

When you ordered the Gen II, did they ask or did you give them the exact model and serial number of your rifle so they could make certain the part was going to fit or did they just take the order generically and send you what you asked for?

Perhaps they have different part numbers for different models...
11 years 1 month ago #18493

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