I did my very first AR15 field strip tonight. I've read the instructions a million times, but still followed this NEA video. Getting the firing pin retaining pin back in was a nightmare, but with some wiggling I eventually got it in and everything else seemed to reassemble smoothly. However, I noticed that when tipping the BCG back and forth, the firing pin also slid back and forth slightly in the bolt. I still reassembled everything, function checks are all good, but I can hear the firing pin sliding back and forth when I tip the rifle from one side to the other. Did I somehow do something wrong, or is this normal? Thanks a million.
Firing pin play. Did I reassemble my BCG incorrectly?
- Thread starter Samson23
- Start date
I've seen people new to the AR have trouble getting the firing pin retaining pin back into the carrier, mostly because they had the retaining pin opening "in line" with the firing pin instead of having the opening "open around" the firing pin.
I'm betting that what I just said only makes sense to people who know the platform LOL.
I'm betting that what I just said only makes sense to people who know the platform LOL.
Haha yeah not sure. 
When I looked through the end of the BCG, the retainer appeared to angle down if inserted vertically, preventing it from lining up with the other hole. But if inserted horizontally, it aligned. Still took some wiggling and cursing. Thanks for the confirmation guys.
When I looked through the end of the BCG, the retainer appeared to angle down if inserted vertically, preventing it from lining up with the other hole. But if inserted horizontally, it aligned. Still took some wiggling and cursing. Thanks for the confirmation guys.
- Location
- big sky country
It's all good.
If the firing pin didn't slide back and fourth you'd be seriously screwed.
Go to the range, chamber a round, don't shoot it, extract it and check the primer. You'll likely see a little dent in it from the firing pin that slid into it when you racked it.
Perfectly normal.
Now lets see some photos of your gun!
If the firing pin didn't slide back and fourth you'd be seriously screwed.
Go to the range, chamber a round, don't shoot it, extract it and check the primer. You'll likely see a little dent in it from the firing pin that slid into it when you racked it.
Perfectly normal.
Now lets see some photos of your gun!
- Location
- big sky country
I've found that the pin is a bit harder to install in F/A bolt carriers. Less room.
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- Location
- big sky country
If it didn't float, your gun wouldn't fire. That slight amount of movement allows the hammer to hit the pin, move it and ram the primer, setting it off.
Like I said earlier, go to the range, chamber a round and extract without firing. You'll likely see a small "dent" in the primer from the firing pin hitting it. (but not hard enough to expend the primer)
This free floating firing pin started the myth that you need "military" primers or your AR-15 will slam fire. It pure horses**t.
Photos please.
- Location
- big sky country
Haha I know the firing pine has to move obviously.
The retaining pin keeps it in position.
Nice photo dude. I want one now.
- Location
- big sky country
Unsafe, but fun. Not that I know anything about that kind of thing.
