How to Install an AR-15 Bolt Stop/Bolt Catch Presented by Larry Potterfield of MidwayUSA

Watch as Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA, presents “The Bolt Stop/Bolt Catch" in the How to Series, Gunsmithing the AR-15.
For this and other MidwayUSA videos visit the MidwayUSA Video Library:
www.midwayusa....

[@michaelsherfield3749]

I took my ar apart yesterday and slighy nicked my bolt stop with my upper. Hopefully it won't cause problems. If it does I'll be following your instructions.

[@rossauce12]

After the first hit and u get a lil scratch you see why he recommends the tape lol

[@niceshotmano]

the music had me cracking up

[@samuel.langhorne.clemens]

Finally a good video on the topic. Should have just started with Midway’s videos in the first place.

[@noobsmoke79]

A piece of tooth pick makes a great slave pin to hold everything together while driving in the roll pin.

[@jameshoge1177]

3/32" welding rod works well, also. Bend it into an L and insert left to right. I had to sandpaper the rod down a bit to make it fit.

[@cappox]

really good instruction

[@elwoodblues5767]

I push mine in with channel locks lol

[@wewatchmovies4446]

Thank you

[@vintageguitarz1]

Larry, you do THE BEST, ABSOLUTE BEST most detailed and thoughtful videos. I'd buy more from Midwest, if I had more money.

[@strangerous1313]

Um....it's MidwayUSA, not 'Midwest.'

[@derrickhouska4935]

Thank you Larry. Happy New Year!

[@wiseone2333]

Mine has a set screw instead of a pin

[@Forgivefull]

What if you bought a stripped lower but there's another roll-pin preventing you from installing

[@speedplays6710]

Punch it out

[@vladvladimirov4399]

...then you use that pin. Are you talking about Aero’s enhanced lowers? They use a special threaded screw instead of a pin, so no pin punch is required. It comes already put inside the slot so it doesn’t get lost. You have to take it out, install the bolt catch, and put it back in.

[@Forgivefull]

@@vladvladimirov4399 yeah I figured that out the hard way after 3 whole days of wondering what went or what I did wrong lol

[@carlosm.alvarezjr2660]

I have got the aero precision kit ar 15 m4 parts kit. The spring on the bolt catch is stuck in there and no spring tension and wont come out. i have a spike lower i hope the didnt effect it in any way.

[@matthewmarsh1971]

Where can I get those plastic pieces

[@mrshort2379]

if anybody can answer this question it will be Larry Potterfield how do you remove a stripped Bolt catch screw, that has a completely stripped alen head screw?

[@TheAquam]

Pretty sure you’d have to drill it out.

[@smitewithares2549]

What size is the extended dry punch? Also what size is your starter punch?

[@rossauce12]

U usually match the punch tip to the size that ur punching. I'm this it doesn't really matter since ur installing. But if u were taking out u just match the size... but If ur asking what actual size,, just buy a $15 punch set at like a woodworking store, so u have every size.

[@Masta_E]

I think my lower did not come with a spring and plunger...lol Guess I got some work to do.

[@john4949]

What kind of lubricant are you using onthe roll pin?

[@billmurphy8685]

I’d like to know too

[@mohammedcohen]

...it doesn't matter much...a light lubricant like 3 in 1 (do they still sell that???), motor oil or any standard gun lube will work well - you're just trying to make yout job easier with the oil...it's a tight friction fit...

[@danefuentes3877]

@@mohammedcohenthat’s what she said. 😝

[@musictodiefor6961]

I didn't see which way the plunger went in

[@orficaldari3524]

It can only go in one way

[@johnneedle8119]

What are those blocks he's using I can't find them anywhere

[@rossauce12]

I'd imagine they sell them on their website

[@P46345]

It's way easier to use an automatic center punch to insert the roll pin.

[@frankmccracken1160]

How about a bolt catch that freezes or seizes up, will not move or function to lock bolt.

[@MrRoman-lo6ih]

a drop of synthetic engine oil with a q-tip and a hammer. i had the same issue and this work. good luck.

[@MrBlahblahblee]

I want this to be mine lol my AR9's bolt catch is bouncing up under recoil and is locking the bolt bag with rounds still in the mag

[@lelandchandler4265]

Installed the bolt catch, but need to remove it, and roll pin only goes in on one side, other end is not visible, is there a way to remove a roll pin?

[@lz_377]

I’m experiencing the same thing did you ever find an answer?

[@lelandchandler4265]

@@lz_377 No, never did, I scrapped this lower and just bought a new one, switched to Anderson Mfg. lower and went together much easier. I'm thinking it was because I bought the lower from one company, and the LPK from Anderson Mfg

[@CM-010]

If all components are MIL-SPEC it doesn't matter who manufactured them unless it was a Factory defect or something did not conform to specs.

[@lilcb34]

So now does this mean after every shot you fire you press the bolt catch to release the bolt? So basically making the ar 15 bolt action?

[@rossauce12]

What???? No... when u are done with a magazine the bolt locks back. Then u put in a new mag and release bolt

[@AnthonyMartinez-rx1if]

So this is diffident from a mag lock gen 4??

[@Whossweetpea9]

Yes

[@danefuentes3877]

Ummm…. What? 🤣

[@aarongrubbs5668]

what if my spring is not going in smoothly? It gets stuck and doesn't activate the plunger and then I have to dig the spring back out with a tiny punch...

[@dylconnaway9976]

Aaron Grubbs If you vote for trump, he’ll come to your wonderful house and install the beautiful spring for you. He’ll even do the best job of any other human ever greasing the incredible roll pin for you. In the meantime, you could also check to insure it’s the correct spring and pin if you have a lower parts kit, insure the spring isn’t damaged or bent, and check the cavity with a flashlight for any FOD or burs.

[@toptiertraining6819]

Aaron, be very careful you are not using the wrong spring. The bolt catch spring and the trigger spring are about the same size, but not exactly and if you use the trigger spring as the bolt catch spring, then what you are describing could happen.

[@JohnSmith-yc9my]

Your probly using the wrong spring

[@thespacecowboy420]

What size roll punch? What is a starter punch? Nobody that needs to watch this knows the answers to those questions.

[@billmurphy8685]

A roll pin stater is a hollow end roll pin punch. Midway sells them you pick the roll pin that is basically the same size . A drive punch is flat and roll pin punch has a nipple on the end that fits it the center of the roll pin.

[@jarrettadam1490]

I got the power!!!

[@heavylead1961]

you're not worried about damaging the ear on this piece???

[@videodistro]

heavylead1961 nope. They are thick and strong. Never have seen one damaged .