Bolt release question/issue

[bafsu92]

Probably better for the springs too. I do sometimes leave a mag in it, but the bolt is always closed, so no safety issue. Ironically the exception to this is on the range where they have an "actions open" policy. Here I can see where it would be posible to drop/jostle a gun and create a potentially unsafe situation. Still, the safety should be on and ideally there shouldn't be a mag in the well when moving to your station. Those who shoot three gun can comment on how those safety issues are dealt with on a dynamic course.
FQ13

Exactly, I think you're doing your rifle a disservice by storing it with the bolt open. If you want to display an empty chamber for safety sake use a chamber flag or just remove the BCG for storage. You're reducing the reliability of your rifle by keeping the spring under tension. I don't think a heavier buffer would have any effect on the bolt slam issue, if anything I would think it would make it more likely to happen. I'd try replacing the buffer spring and leave it closed, it's probably prone to slamming do to a weakened spring.

[tombogan03884]

Exactly, I think you're doing your rifle a disservice by storing it with the bolt open. If you want to display an empty chamber for safety sake use a chamber flag or just remove the BCG for storage. You're reducing the reliability of your rifle by keeping the spring under tension. I don't think a heavier buffer would have any effect on the bolt slam issue, if anything I would think it would make it more likely to happen. I'd try replacing the buffer spring and leave it closed, it's probably prone to slamming do to a weakened spring.

No, they all do it. It has nothing to do with the buffer spring, it's because the bolt catch doesn't have very much bearing surface so it doesn't take much to jar it loose.
If it were buffer related a heavier spring would make it more likely, by putting more wear on the minimal bearing surface.

[PegLeg45]

I stored a Mini-14 for 10+ years with the bolt locked open.
Took it out of storage and ran 500 rounds through it without a hiccup. 
It still has its 25 year-old original springs.
YMMV.
(Note: I do not rely on this gun for defensive purposes)

Another PegLeg side story:
I did learn a valuable lesson from a good friend years ago about poor cleaning habits and keeping a bolt closed for storage. A friend fired a bunch of cheap Chinese ammo through his Mini-14 and didn't do a thorough enough cleaning before he put it back in his gun cabinet. A few weeks later he pulled it out to go hunting and the bolt was seized shut. A week-long soaking in PB Blaster, a wooden dowel and a dead-blow hammer later and we finally got it running again.

[tombogan03884]

I stored a Mini-14 for 10+ years with the bolt locked open.
Took it out of storage and ran 500 rounds through it without a hiccup. 
It still has its 25 year-old original springs.
YMMV.
(Note: I do not rely on this gun for defensive purposes)

Improvements in metallurgy, new alloys, and heat treat processes have a lot to do with it, newer springs have much less tendency to develop a set.

[bafsu92]

No, they all do it. It has nothing to do with the buffer spring, it's because the bolt catch doesn't have very much bearing surface so it doesn't take much to jar it loose.
If it were buffer related a heavier spring would make it more likely, by putting more wear on the minimal bearing surface.

Really, I currently own 7 AR's and I just went and slammed the crap out of every single one with the bolts locked back and not a single one let go. I get that the surface area of the catch is small but if you have a receiver that's in spec and quality internals then it should hold just fine. I wasn't really saying that the weaker spring was the cause, more of an effect of keeping your bolt locked back for no good reason. If you really want to stop it make sure you have good internals but I don't understand why anyone would want to store a rifle long term with the bolt locked back.

[Sponsor]

[cdcasey]

As always great advise.  Now the rifle is sitting in the safe with the bolt closed!  the mag is still sitting on the shelf right next to it just in case the 9 rounds of 00 buck does not get all the bad guys since that is under the bed  .  Thanks all

[fightingquaker13]

Really, I currently own 7 AR's and I just went and slammed the crap out of every single one with the bolts locked back and not a single one let go. I get that the surface area of the catch is small but if you have a receiver that's in spec and quality internals then it should hold just fine. I wasn't really saying that the weaker spring was the cause, more of an effect of keeping your bolt locked back for no good reason. If you really want to stop it make sure you have good internals but I don't understand why anyone would want to store a rifle long term with the bolt locked back.

My Sportical did. Hell, I had to try it, who didn't after this thread? (maybe we should start a new one "AR owners who banged their rifles on the floor to see if the bolt closed" ). Well, mine did. A good soild tap and we were in battery. Its a Sportical, so not exactly cream of the crop, but a new fact I learned from DRTV.
FQ13

[bafsu92]

My Sportical did. Hell, I had to try it, who didn't after this thread? (maybe we should start a new one "AR owners who banged their rifles on the floor to see if the bolt closed" ). Well, mine did. A good soild tap and we were in battery. Its a Sportical, so not exactly cream of the crop, but a new fact I learned from DRTV.
FQ13

I thought I slammed mine pretty hard but maybe I didn't hit them hard enough...

[tombogan03884]

Hold it by the barrel and drop it about 6 inches onto your toe wearing leather boots or shoes.
I'm thinking that with out thinking you held it by the receiver and may have been holding the release locked.

[alfsauve]

Hell, I had to try it, who didn't after this thread?
FQ13

I DIDN'T!    I practiced DA revolver shooting last night.