Canada1812
CGN Regular
- Location
- Calgary / Golden
Good day CGN,
This is a bit of an informative piece so that if someone has the same issue with their MRA Renegade that maybe my experience can help.
I purchased a brand new MRA Renegade direct from Maple Ridge Armory with the only assembly being to install the two dowel pins and screw in the charging handle onto the bolt. Everything seemed to fit perfectly fine. Both dowel pins inserted with little effort (with the end with the "small hole end" being inserted into the bolt carrier group first)
The and the charging handle screwed in with no difficulty. However, when I went to dissemble the gun after I had fired aprox 50 - 80rds through it I was unable to remove one of the metal dowel pins from the bolt carrier. The other dowel was easily removed by hand or light pressure from a pair of pliers.
I wrenched on the dowel for the better part of a week with different sets of small pliers with no success until finally calling MRA. At this point the various pliers / multitools had had their teeth worn down significantly as the dowel pins are of an apparently much harder metal. Marcus from MRA provided a couple suggestions to tap the dowel from the top and spray oil onto it.
I sprayed it several times with seafoam deep creep and let it soak for a couple hours. I returned to it using a newly purchased Husky 6.5 inch Long Nose Locking Pliers with Rubber Grip https://www.homedepot.ca/product/husky-6-5-inch-long-nose-locking-pliers-with-rubber-grip/1001653437
These pliers fit perfectly into the charging handle cutout and provided ample room to grasp the dowel pin with more pressure (I had previously been using the mini husky pliers and a gerber multi tool with no success as they kept slipping off the dowel).
I used a Robertson screwdriver bit in the place of a punch and gave a few hard hits from the top of the dowel and then used the locking pliers to grasp the dowel and only then did it dislodge. I had a mat down and had both feet holding the rifle down while I pulled the pin with the pliers.
I then sprayed the deep creep into the dowel pins holes and cleaned them thoroughly out with a Q tip and both dowel pins seem to go in and out with out an issue.
The dowel pin specs and holes in the bolt carrier seem to be to spec as everything now fits snug and is removable in all the 4 holes with both pins.
I think that either there was pre existing debris (ie: metal flakes or dirt / oil) in the pin hole or it just got sandwiched in when I screwed the charging handle on.
In any case I was able to remove the dowel pin, there is no damage other then a small scuff and MRA will send a replacement dowel pin as although there is minor damage to the actual pin and a bur did develop on the head of the dowel pin.
Tools used:
1. Lubricating oil with a spray plastic straw (used to spray into the dowel pin hole to clear any debris out, I used Seafoam deep creep)
2. Hammer and punch
3. Q tip (for cleaning out dowel pin hole)
4. Husky 6.5 inch Long Nose Locking Pliers with Rubber Grip Model # 96493 https://www.homedepot.ca/product/husky-6-5-inch-long-nose-locking-pliers-with-rubber-grip/1001653437
These pliers fit perfectly into the receiver.
I hope this post can help someone else if they experience a stuck dowel pin.
Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/B8DxPHU
Also a big thank you for Marcus at Victory Ridge Sports / Maple Ridge Armory for assisting me over the phone to brainstorm ideas to help get it out. I really enjoy using this rifle and it is lots of fun at the range.
Thanks for reading everyone - Shoot straight, shoot safe,
Aaron
This is a bit of an informative piece so that if someone has the same issue with their MRA Renegade that maybe my experience can help.
I purchased a brand new MRA Renegade direct from Maple Ridge Armory with the only assembly being to install the two dowel pins and screw in the charging handle onto the bolt. Everything seemed to fit perfectly fine. Both dowel pins inserted with little effort (with the end with the "small hole end" being inserted into the bolt carrier group first)
The and the charging handle screwed in with no difficulty. However, when I went to dissemble the gun after I had fired aprox 50 - 80rds through it I was unable to remove one of the metal dowel pins from the bolt carrier. The other dowel was easily removed by hand or light pressure from a pair of pliers.
I wrenched on the dowel for the better part of a week with different sets of small pliers with no success until finally calling MRA. At this point the various pliers / multitools had had their teeth worn down significantly as the dowel pins are of an apparently much harder metal. Marcus from MRA provided a couple suggestions to tap the dowel from the top and spray oil onto it.
I sprayed it several times with seafoam deep creep and let it soak for a couple hours. I returned to it using a newly purchased Husky 6.5 inch Long Nose Locking Pliers with Rubber Grip https://www.homedepot.ca/product/husky-6-5-inch-long-nose-locking-pliers-with-rubber-grip/1001653437
These pliers fit perfectly into the charging handle cutout and provided ample room to grasp the dowel pin with more pressure (I had previously been using the mini husky pliers and a gerber multi tool with no success as they kept slipping off the dowel).
I used a Robertson screwdriver bit in the place of a punch and gave a few hard hits from the top of the dowel and then used the locking pliers to grasp the dowel and only then did it dislodge. I had a mat down and had both feet holding the rifle down while I pulled the pin with the pliers.
I then sprayed the deep creep into the dowel pins holes and cleaned them thoroughly out with a Q tip and both dowel pins seem to go in and out with out an issue.
The dowel pin specs and holes in the bolt carrier seem to be to spec as everything now fits snug and is removable in all the 4 holes with both pins.
I think that either there was pre existing debris (ie: metal flakes or dirt / oil) in the pin hole or it just got sandwiched in when I screwed the charging handle on.
In any case I was able to remove the dowel pin, there is no damage other then a small scuff and MRA will send a replacement dowel pin as although there is minor damage to the actual pin and a bur did develop on the head of the dowel pin.
Tools used:
1. Lubricating oil with a spray plastic straw (used to spray into the dowel pin hole to clear any debris out, I used Seafoam deep creep)
2. Hammer and punch
3. Q tip (for cleaning out dowel pin hole)
4. Husky 6.5 inch Long Nose Locking Pliers with Rubber Grip Model # 96493 https://www.homedepot.ca/product/husky-6-5-inch-long-nose-locking-pliers-with-rubber-grip/1001653437
These pliers fit perfectly into the receiver.
I hope this post can help someone else if they experience a stuck dowel pin.
Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/B8DxPHU
Also a big thank you for Marcus at Victory Ridge Sports / Maple Ridge Armory for assisting me over the phone to brainstorm ideas to help get it out. I really enjoy using this rifle and it is lots of fun at the range.
Thanks for reading everyone - Shoot straight, shoot safe,
Aaron
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