Broken bolt catch, what brand to replace it with

[Little Dutch]

The bolt catch on my ar-45 broke today at the range. It looks like a poorly cast part. I didn?t build this lower, so I don?t know who made it. I?ve not paid much attention to the lower parts kits, generally just using palmetto or whatever Numrich has as an add-on when I make an order.

Any strong opinions on which brand to buy when I replace it?

[beast556]

I would just get another usgi one, pcc are known to be real hard on bolt catches, fcg pins, firing pins and extractors. Just my 2 cents.

[Great-Kazoo]

The bolt catch on my ar-45 broke today at the range. It looks like a poorly cast part. I didn?t build this lower, so I don?t know who made it. I?ve not paid much attention to the lower parts kits, generally just using palmetto or whatever Numrich has as an add-on when I make an order.

Any strong opinions on which brand to buy when I replace it?

Part of the problem could be the buffer traveling back too far. Have you looked to see if that may be the issue?

[Bailey Guns]

I agree with beast... Don't know about PCCs being hard on parts, but I'd just get a standard replacement.

[izzy]

This used to happen to me all the time with my ar45. After going through several other options and having them all bend or break I got one of these and have had no issues since.

https://www.strikeindustries.com/si-ar-ebc.html

More info
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/165451-...-keeps-bending

[Little Dutch]

Part of the problem could be the buffer traveling back too far. Have you looked to see if that may be the issue?

That's a darned good thought. I'll check it out.

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's appreciated.

[Great-Kazoo]

That's a darned good thought. I'll check it out.

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's appreciated.

IF the BCG goes noticeably past the bolt release, you'll need to make a spacer, to shorten that distance. I turned down some delrin for my 9mm AR, others use (iirc) 8 quarters to shorten the distance. I like the BCG sitting about .025 behind the bolt release, give or take. Just to keep that bcg from slamming against it on the last round.

[Little Dutch]

This used to happen to me all the time with my ar45. After going through several other options and having them all bend or break I got one of these and have had no issues since.

https://www.strikeindustries.com/si-ar-ebc.html

More info
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/165451-...-keeps-bending

That was a helpful thread, thanks for linking it.

[beast556]

New frontier armory makes a spacer that snaps in to the recoil spring. There less than 10$.

[BPTactical]

The problem with PCC AR’s is the mass of the bolt, it is considerably heavier than a standard bcg.
Instead of spending money on a spacer a few quarters work well.