Depth of cotter pin in AR-15 bolt?

[Unregistered]

This time when I reassembled my AR-15 I took notice that the cotter pin that holds the bolt together (the last stage of the bolt reassembly) may not have been in as deep as it could be. I know how important that pin is to holding the rifle together, so I'd like your opinion, is it enough for the pin to extend from one side of the hole to the other, or does it need to clear the opposite hole and stick out somewhat? Because right now, the end of the pin just meets the edge of the outside hole and does not stick out at all.

I have included some links to pictures of the bolt so you can see how far the pin is inserted into the hole. I bring this up because I've never seen it covered on the internet or in manuals just how deep the pin is supposed to go.










Also, when I hold the bolt up to test it against gravity, the firing pin extends backwards as much as you see in the third picture, but by no more than that.

 

[50calshooter]

Maby post this in the gunsmithing forum, you will get waaay more answers

 

[Gunnerlove]

If the tails of the firing pin retaining pin stuck out of the side of the carrier they would bind on the upper reciever.

Do a function test and if it works you should be good to go.

 

[Unregistered]

Ok, function test checks out, I guess it works or it doesn't.

 

[Shelldrake]

It looks just fine.

 

[cancer]

Yeah, you wouldn't want it sticking past and scratching the heck out of your upper.

 

[Unregistered]

Ok, thanks everyone.