Raven 5.56 / Mil-Spec Bolt Catch Compatibility

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rtm

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Hi everyone,

Having recently received my beautiful new Raven 5.56 from Lockhart Tactical, I've undertaken a project to create a Canadian-legal clone of the rifle that shall not be named using mil-spec parts and controls from Colt.

Yesterday, my Lower Parts Kit came in the mail from Charlie's Custom Clones, and I immediately got to work swapping out some of the Lockhart OEM components with comparable parts from Colt.

The Colt safety selector and "chalky" A2 pistol grip went in without any issues, but I ran into major problems with the standard mil-spec bolt catch as described below:
  • There is a ridge on the Raven's upper receiver located just above the bolt catch that seems to be in the way
  • To accommodate this ridge on the upper receiver, the skeletonized OEM bolt catch from Lockhart is shorter and wider than a mil-spec bolt catch
  • The mil-spec bolt catch from Colt sits higher than the Lockhart bolt catch and impacts against the ridge on the upper receiver when installed
  • This throws off the alignment of the upper and lower receivers, impeding installation of the rear takedown pin and preventing normal operation of the bolt/charging handle
  • The cerakote finish of my receiver was also slightly marred where the bolt catch impacted against the ridge
Raven-Bolt-Catch.jpg

Based on the above, here are my questions:
  1. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to install a mil-spec bolt catch on a Raven 5.56?
  2. Are there any manufacturers who make a shorter bolt catch that still maintains the mil-spec appearance? (e.g. paddle with ridges instead of a skeletonized design)
  3. Can a mil-spec bolt catch be modified to work with the Raven 5.56?
  4. How did this guy do it with his Raven C7 clone????

Any help the community can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
 

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Hey RTM, I had the same issue and to answer your question about how a mil-spec bolt catch can be modified to work with the Raven 5.56, you might not like the answer. On the True North Arms page for the builder's kit, they say:

2. Q: Does a standard AR-15 bolt catch work?

A: Yes, it fits out of the box however it will rub the bottom of the carrier unless you shave the release button as it touches a contour in the receiver. It still works though and shoots with an OEM AR-15 bolt catch, bolt locks open. On an empty mag the OEM bolt catch roll pin is a bit small though, so a replacement is suggested. WE carry the lockhart proprietary bolt catch screw.

See last picture for how and where to grind
Click to expand...

My suggestion is to go with the Lockhart-supplied bolt catch to avoid issues and marring your Raven's finish, otherwise, grind down a mil-spec bolt catch a touch so it works without issue.
 
alvais said:
Hey RTM, I had the same issue and to answer your question about how a mil-spec bolt catch can be modified to work with the Raven 5.56, you might not like the answer. On the True North Arms page for the builder's kit, they say:



My suggestion is to go with the Lockhart-supplied bolt catch to avoid issues and marring your Raven's finish, otherwise, grind down a mil-spec bolt catch a touch so it works without issue.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info and the reference to True North's FAQ

To make this work, I'll probably harvest the roll pin from the Lockhart Bolt Catch and get a professional to modify/grind the Colt Bolt Catch so that it fits without pushing up against the contoured ridge on the upper receiver (I will 100% destroy the bolt catch if I try to grind it myself).

Much appreciated!
 
Someone documenting the challenges encountered when pursuing a goal like this is very interesting to me. Keep the info coming!
 
To add another potential gotcha. At least in my case the milspec safety detent produced a lot of slop in the safety. Swapping to the Lockhart safety detent tightened it up properly.
 
Morc said:
To add another potential gotcha. At least in my case the milspec safety detent produced a lot of slop in the safety. Swapping to the Lockhart safety detent tightened it up properly.
Click to expand...

I installed the A2 pistol grip and safety selector from my Colt Lower Parts Kit but retained the safety detent and spring from Lockhart instead of swapping out these parts for mil-spec versions.

Everything seems to be working perfectly.

In terms of modifying the Colt mil-spec bolt catch, I'll be bringing the rifle to High Calibre Services in Mission to have this done professionally on their mill as I know my limitations. They will also be installing a 20" Colt Barrel Assembly from barrel nut and delta ring forward to the A2 flash hider along with a KAC M5 RAS that is coming in from the US through a cross-border firearms dealer. Who needs money, anyway???
 
easton91 said:
Someone documenting the challenges encountered when pursuing a goal like this is very interesting to me. Keep the info coming!
Click to expand...

Ok so here's a basic summary of the project:

REQUIRED PARTS AND COMPONENTS

Lockhart Tactical
Colt 20" Barrel Assembly
Other

BUILD INSTRUCTIONS
So far, all I've done is the following:
  1. Install Lockhart Tactical Talon Top Charging Handle (Very easy. The only trick is to partially insert the charging handle into the receiver and align the wider "key" portion with the notch inside the receiver before sliding it into place)
  2. Install Lockhart Tactical Raven Mid Length Brass Deflector (requires 1/16" SAE Allen Key)
  3. Remove Takedown Pins, Separate Upper and Lower Receivers, and Isolate the Lower Receiver
  4. Remove OEM Pistol Grip (use Allen Key - be careful not to lose the Safety Detent Spring or Safety Detent when removing the pistol grip as you'll need these for later)
  5. Remove plastic OEM Ambidextrous Safety Selector (use 5/64" SAE Allen Key to remove screws from either side, then depress hammer inside before pushing out the selector)
  6. Install Colt Safety Selector (use Lockhart Tactical OEM Safety Detent and Safety Detent Spring instead of Colt mil-spec versions for best results)
  7. Install Colt A2 Pistol Grip (Safety Detent and Safety Detent Spring must be properly placed/inserted during installation)
Next up is waiting for the LMT Buffer Tube Kit and KAC M5 RAS Handguard to arrive.

From there, I'll bring my rifle to High Calibre Services in Mission, BC where they will look after following scope of work:
  1. Remove 18.6" Lockhart Tactical OEM Barrel/Gas System
  2. Install 20" Colt Barrel Assembly (definitely best for me to leave this to a professional)
  3. Install KAC M5 Rifle RAS Forend Assembly
  4. Remove OEM M4 waffle stock
  5. Install LMT Buffer Tube Kit/M4 SOPMOD Stock
  6. Install Colt Bolt Catch (mil-spec bolt catch will need to be milled down at top to avoid impacting against contoured ridge on upper receiver. Will use OEM bolt catch plunger, bolt catch spring and bolt catch roll pin from Lockhart's Gold Upgrade Kit - Add Left Bolt Catch Only instead of the mil-spec versions from Colt)
Once my backordered Side Charging Cover and Dust Cover Door have been received from Lockhart Tactical, I'll install those and then add the Matech Rear BUIS and KAC Vertical Grip to complete my Canadian-legal clone of the rifle that shall not be named.
 
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