AR15 mag catch binding

R

ravohs

CGN Regular
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Location
Alberta
Hello

I just started a build on a stripped lower. The magazine catch/button is binding. When I press directly in line with the spring the catch releases with no resistance and feels smooth. If I place my finger in the mag well and try to push the catch out it binds and will not move. And when I say applying pressure directly in line with the spring I mean putting my thumb on it. By using my finger while gripping the grip it doesn't push in. Because it binds when force is applied in any other direction than in line, I am unable to insert a magazine (unless I'm depressing the mag release button). I have tried the mag releaseso off of my other ARs and they bind in the exact same way. Every time I tried a different setup I also used different springs. The problem seems to be with the lower. I installed in mag catch without the spring and if I hold the lower so the button is facing the sky gravity is enough to let the mag catch fall. If I hold the lower on its side and push the button it goes easily (remember no spring) if the lower is on its side and I reach in the mag well to press the mag catch it binds and will not move. With some added lateral pressure to the button (to even the force out bUT not press the button in) and my fingers pressing in the mag well on the catch it moves freely. I think I can safely say that any force on the catch that is not perpendicular to the lower will cause it to bind. I tried an extended mag release button and that again is to far out of axis and binds when you press on it. When I say bind I mean that it does not move at all.


Has anyone encountered this before and what was the fix


Thanks
 
Check and see if there are any burrs that might be causing it to bind. If so, use a micro file to knock them down and retry. If it works after that, you can use some Aluma-Black to cover up the worked on area.

If the upper is new, you can contact the reseller and ask for a replacement.
 
Nope. I'm just uploading another video. I'm pretty stumped on this. It was a pain to get the lower in the country so I would prefer being able to take care of this myself but it is a brand new lower so I don't want to do anything that will void a warranty.
 
I just checked a few of my rifles. The ones with a standard mag catch drags a little along the frame but works. The Norgon ambi-mag catch/release is spring loaded so the mag catch can be depressed from the inside ie magazine, without having to move the entire lever like a standard mag catch. That Norgon might be your solution.

l_635001015_1.jpg
 
Measure the distance between mag latch hole and rear takedown pin. Compare with working lower and non. Then length of mag catch recess, and it's location in relation to the takedown pin. I'd assume something isn't quite to spec on the lower.
 
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