Question about bolt-assembly on AR-15

[Rottiejake]

Ya' know that little "cotter-pin" that holds the firing pin in place?

Well mine stays open just a tad too much. Almost impossible to get it into the second hole.

I was about to give up just now, and take an ordinary cheap cotter-pin out of my assortment box, cut the length, and use that.

My buddy said that he personally wouldn't do that. Said maybe it is a higher quality material, maybe it's under more stress than ordinary circumstances.

I finally got it back in, but I want a new one before I disassemble the gun next time.

My gut feeling is that it's just a cotter-pin. Nothing special about it. By nature those things don't do anything important, they just hold things in place. There's never any real pressure on them.

What do you guys think?

[aquajim]

I would contact the manufacturer and ask them.

[stallard]

No reason it won't work if you can find the exact same size.

The early FP retainer was a solid steel split-pin that was costly to make and was replaced with a cotter-key because they are cheaper. They are not load bearing, and don't wear out, so I think there is nothing special about them except they have to fit the hole, and not rub the head on the upper receiver wall.

[ACE35]

Mine is the same way on my Ruger SR 556. I have to use some needle nose pliers to squeeze the end together to get it to go back in. Never in my 13 years in the Army did I ever have an M16 like that. However, the Ruger piston gun is easy to clean so I don't sweat it. I agree with stallard, not a critical pin so replacing it something from the hardware store should do the trick.

[Foxbat]

I have a couple that I have to fiddle with to get them back in.

They do make a one piece pin.

Perma-Pin Firing Pin Retainer - AR 15 Parts - Gun Parts and Accessories

[rifleshooter]

I have a couple that I have to fiddle with to get them back in.

They do make a one piece pin.

Perma-Pin Firing Pin Retainer - AR 15 Parts - Gun Parts and Accessories

Foxbat's suggestion = DEAD ON. KNS makes great pins for ARs, and they helped me resolve a "pin squirreling out under fire" problem on my ancient DPMS cast AR back in the '90s.

[Rottiejake]

That's what I love about this forum..............You guys ALWAYS come up with a kick-ass solution to just about any problem.

Yup.........Gonna order two of those bad-boys. One for each of my AR's.

I was gonna order three. Have one for a spare. But at 8 bucks a pop, I'll be extra cautious to not lose them

[Rottiejake]

NO.....NO.....NO..... I will NOT deal with these people........No way, no how!

The cheapest shipping method they offer is $12.46

We're talking about something that can fit in an envelope, and be shipped via first class mail for less than 2 bucks.

Nice product, but they can shove it. I'll use a cotter-pin

[Armed Pacifist]

I'm sure a cotter pin from a hardware store will work.

If you ever want to order small parts like this for your AR and not get raped by shipping charges check this place out - Welcome to The Citizens Armory, LLC - Your Parts and Accessories Headquarters

These guys are recommended often on AR15.com for small parts. Apparently they are good to go. Their FP pins are $1.25 (high for a simple pin, but you won't have to cut it. The estimated shipping (for me) was 70 cents for 3 FP retaining pins.

[Rottiejake]

Thanks for the heads up. I'lll order a few of them up right now