AR15 Bolt Carrier Key issue?

[MtnBiker6510]

It seems alot of you have AR15's. Have any of you ever had your Bolt Carrier Key become loose while shooting? While sighting in a new red dot this weekend, I started having ejection problems. Field stripped & found the carrier key was loose. tightened it up when I got home and used loctite blue. Suspect this to be the source of my ejection problems as it was cycling fine previously.

 

[Mr. Habib]

Who built your BCG? Those screws should have been staked.

 

[Yeah]

Yes, skip the Loctite and stake the key.

 

[MtnBiker6510]

The BCG is from my original Olympic A2 upper. Have no idea who Olympic sources for their parts, but its definitely not staked.

Is catastrophic failure eminent, or should the loctite/high torque solution hold up for the time being?

 

[Mr. Habib]

It might hold for a while, but I would definitely stake them.

 

[MtnBiker6510]

Just did some reading & it seems I can do it myself with a good chisel. Before I take it to the range next, I'm gonna put it in the vice and see if I can get it staked good, like this:

 

[03A3]

That would be your best bet. You'll need a chisel or punch that is relatively blunt. You may have to reshape your tool on a grinder.

 

[indykid]

Although they weren't loose, the first AR I got, a factory built Bushmaster 20"HB standard A2 had the key installed crooked so that it dragged on the gas tube causing the rifle to be a "bolt action" rifle. After much checking of everything else I could think of, I found the crooked key, loosened it, aligned it, then tightened and restaked the bolts. Been perfect ever since.

Funny, after having some Romanian AKs with crooked parts, and spending time to straighten them, I was really shocked that my first AR would have a crooked part on it!

 

[gharris18]

Stake them good

 

[LEaSH]

Is there a specific torque range recommended for those screws, anybody?

 

[Mr. Habib]

The Armorer's manual calls for 35-40 inch pounds.http://www.ar15armory.com/manuals/TM9-1005-319-23.pdf

 

[rhino]

To all reading this . . . checking your bolt carrier to make sure the gas key screws are staked is an essential part owning your rifle. Ideally you can check it before you buy it, but if it's not staked, it needs to be.

 

[LEaSH]

thanks.

The Armorer's manual calls for 35-40 inch pounds.http://www.ar15armory.com/manuals/TM9-1005-319-23.pdf

Thanks for looking that up. I owe you a rep.

So if my torque wrench is only in foot lbs., I'll set it for 3-3.5.

I have a FA carrier that is not staked and a Semi that is. I've read that there are tools like crimping presses that will do a nice neat job of staking. Does anyone do this at gunshows?

I know I can use a hardened chisel and hammer to make my stakes, I just want something cleaner.

 

[rhino]

The gunsmith Ned Christiansen sells a tool specifically for staking gas keys. You just turn an allen wrench and it's done.

Michiguns Ltd. - AR-15 Tools and Accessories

Either the MOACKS II or the pocket version.

Thanks for looking that up. I owe you a rep.

So if my torque wrench is only in foot lbs., I'll set it for 3-3.5.

I have a FA carrier that is not staked and a Semi that is. I've read that there are tools like crimping presses that will do a nice neat job of staking. Does anyone do this at gunshows?

I know I can use a hardened chisel and hammer to make my stakes, I just want something cleaner.

 

[gblank]

Stake them