DPMs bolt carrier problem

[george_995]

The issue is I assembled a stripped lr308 carrier for a recent build, and the bolt catch will not hold the carrier in locked position with or w/out magazine. The receiver is a mega maten w/ their bolt catch. My rifle is yet to be fully assembled(waiting on vise claw), so I have yet to test fire to see bolt locks back after last round. I was browsing midwayusa and found this review on a assembled carrier.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/259608/dpms-bolt-carrier-assembly-lr-308-308-winchester-matte

Read the one bad review, this is what got my attention to check my assembly. Here are some pics.

What are your thoughts? Anyone heard of any recent problems with carriers? <dontknow> Thanks.

[Robocop1051]

I read the neg review and I agree that there are possible out of spec parts out there. I recently had a bad barrel.

I see two options:

1. Send the carrier back to DPMS

2. Try an AR10 bolt catch. I understand they are slightly longer than standard DPMS.

To the best of my knowledge, Mega doesn't actually make their bolt catches. I could be wrong here, so hopefully someone who knows different will pipe in and correct me. The last thing you want to do is go through a shit ton of stress mailing parts back and forth, only to find some joker gave you an AR15 bolt catch.

[racerken70]

have a maten with no problems, hard to tell from your post, but the bolt catch catches the bolt and not the carrier. it also sounds like the review you quoted had a short stroking problem.

[Livnoutdoors6.8]

Does the bolt catch move freely in the lower? I got a FA LPK and the catch was binding in the lower so I couldnt release the bolt. I ended up rounding the corner of the catch that rides down in the channel in the lower and now no more issues. Hope it works out!

[204 AR]

Same as what Racerken said, the catch shouldn't catch the bolt carrier, but the bolt lugs.  If the bolt won't pull back far enough for the bolt to catch, you may have the wrong buffer.  Your bcg looks fine from what I can tell.  I've noticed on mine that the bevel on the bottom of the carrier isn't an even grind, that's normal.

[racerken70]

yes the bolt catch moves freely in the maten

[Livnoutdoors6.8]

yes the bolt catch moves freely in the maten

I was asking the OP, because maybe his catch is out of spec like mine was.

[george_995]

The bolt catch does move freely.

My stock/buffer assembly consists of the following parts,

1. vltor a5 short rail Receiver extension RE-10

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/264648/vltor-short-rail-carbine-receiver-extension-buffer-tube-6-position-mil-spec-diameter-ar-10-aluminum-black

1.Vltor A5 H3 Heavy Buffer 6.08 oz AR-15 Carbine

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/348898/vltor-a5-h3-heavy-buffer-608-oz-ar-15-carbine

1.Armalite AR10 Buffer Spring

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1727

I researched this setup on ar15.com in the mega maten thread(tryed getting a link) before purchasing to make sure it would work.

To clarify the receivers are a matched set by mega, in came assembled without trigger and bolt/carrier.

Thank you for the help so far.

[204 AR]

From looking at the buffer and tube, I think the buffer is AR15.  Reading the description on the tube, it says it will only work with the Armalite spring, and AR10 buffer part #EC0120.  To me the buffer looks too long.

[survivalshop]

NOTE: This buffer will not fit in a regular carbine or rifle system, it is designed specifically for use with the new A5 recoil system - attempting to use this buffer in a standard rifle or will result in damage to the firearm and potential injury to the operator.

<dontknow>

[george_995]

Looks like I jumped to conclusions on the bolt carrier situation. I have ordered the wrong buffer, went with a a5 h3 buffer instead of a regular h3 buffer. I did more reading in the maten thread on ar15.com. Since I have the majority of the parts I am going to use a A2 stock system with the armalite ar10 spring(have already) and going to buy the ar10 buffer http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1911

Don't really want to ditch the collapsible stock setup, just seems like to much tinkering :o. Thanks again for the help.

[98Z5V]

People that build these .308 ARs need to understand - not aimed at you in any way, too - that the VLTOR A5 system is only for 5.56 ARs, and it's not gonna work with the .308 ARs until someone makes a specific, custom buffer for a ".308 VLTOR A5" setup.  In terms of 5.56 parts, that VLTOR A5 buffer isn't a carbine-length buffer, and it's not a rifle-length buffer - it's in between, and weighted differently (3 different weights possible).  <thumbsup>

[george_995]

I agree. I made a mistake by not fully investigating the products. I originally had doubts, should have listened to my gut. ;D

All is well, I ended up mounting the a5 system(uses ar15 rifle spring <thumbsup> verified w/ vltor) to my ar15 in which had the a2 setup. I have the armalite ar10 spring, now just waiting on the armalite ar10 rifle buffer from rainiers.

[Slash]

In addition to my Heavy Buffers, I usually have standard factory buffers for AR15s and .308 ARs in stock. ;)