bolt cam pin cracked? - The Firearms Forum

tankman · 03-15-2012, 12:33 AM

i got my first ar15 (bushmaster 20" heavy barrel) and out of the box it looks like the cam pin might be cracked. also it seems like the gas rings are tighter than they should be when i insert the bolt into the carrier, and maybe to loose around the bolt.

any ideas?

TheGunClinger · 03-15-2012, 05:27 AM

If it is a crack. send it back to Bushmaster. I'd just get a kit that has all sorts of parts for your gun and they are cheap. Good to have them around. The rings will loosen up with use.
Nice pic of the pin but where is the rest of the weapon?? Inquiring minds want to know.

Snakedriver · 03-15-2012, 07:55 AM

Double Post - Sorry

Snakedriver · 03-15-2012, 08:00 AM

Bolt issues like this are somewhat common. Hey, things wear out. You can buy that part and replace it at Brownell's, Midway USA and Cheaper Than Dirt if you want. Many places sell those small parts for AR's these days.

But since the gun is modular and other manufacturer's bolts will drop right in and fit in your Bushmaster with no problems. You may want to invest in obtaining a better quallity bolt for your AR. Rock River, Spikes Tactical and Bravo Company (BCM) are a few that come to mind that make good quality AR bolts. I'm sure there are others too.

It may give you peace of mind to know you have a higher quality bolt in your gun, so it won't fail when you need it the most.

ETA: I just re-read your original post and realized it's brand new out of the box. In that case I think I would return it to the Manufacturer under warranty for replacement. I'm not sure that's a crack or potential crack though. I still think I'd invest in a better quality bolt anyway. Having a spare might be a good thing. I have a bolt spare parts and repair kit for mine in case something wears out and breaks.

Helix_FR · 03-15-2012, 08:07 AM

Im not fully convinced thats a crack. Looks more like a wear mark were the carrier cams over the pin. I'd just get a replacement pin and while your at it get some of those singe piece gas rings. I've seen some bolt heads that were tight bc of the rings but the gun still worked just fine.

Country101 · 03-15-2012, 09:56 AM

That is not a crack. Like helix said, that is just a mark made from the bolt carrier. All the rifles at work have a similar mark(Rock River, colt and smith). Our cam pins have a smoother finish, but otherwise look the same. If it bothers you, get another one, but it is likely to have the same thing or develop one quickly.

tankman · 03-15-2012, 08:16 PM

how many cycles does it take to create a wear mark like that though? new. not new. which one is it, its got me wondering.

03-15-2012, 12:33 AM	#1
tankman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 25	bolt cam pin cracked? i got my first ar15 (bushmaster 20" heavy barrel) and out of the box it looks like the cam pin might be cracked. also it seems like the gas rings are tighter than they should be when i insert the bolt into the carrier, and maybe to loose around the bolt. any ideas? __________________ what do you feel when you kill a terrorist? recoil. -->

03-15-2012, 05:27 AM	#2
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,382	Re: bolt cam pin cracked? If it is a crack. send it back to Bushmaster. I'd just get a kit that has all sorts of parts for your gun and they are cheap. Good to have them around. The rings will loosen up with use. Nice pic of the pin but where is the rest of the weapon?? Inquiring minds want to know. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

03-15-2012, 07:55 AM	#3
Snakedriver Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SW. Florida Posts: 1,219	Re: bolt cam pin cracked? Double Post - Sorry __________________ Fear is a reaction..........Courage is a decision Last edited by Snakedriver; 03-15-2012 at 08:01 AM..

03-15-2012, 08:00 AM	#4
Snakedriver Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SW. Florida Posts: 1,219	Re: bolt cam pin cracked? Bolt issues like this are somewhat common. Hey, things wear out. You can buy that part and replace it at Brownell's, Midway USA and Cheaper Than Dirt if you want. Many places sell those small parts for AR's these days. But since the gun is modular and other manufacturer's bolts will drop right in and fit in your Bushmaster with no problems. You may want to invest in obtaining a better quallity bolt for your AR. Rock River, Spikes Tactical and Bravo Company (BCM) are a few that come to mind that make good quality AR bolts. I'm sure there are others too. It may give you peace of mind to know you have a higher quality bolt in your gun, so it won't fail when you need it the most. ETA: I just re-read your original post and realized it's brand new out of the box. In that case I think I would return it to the Manufacturer under warranty for replacement. I'm not sure that's a crack or potential crack though. I still think I'd invest in a better quality bolt anyway. Having a spare might be a good thing. I have a bolt spare parts and repair kit for mine in case something wears out and breaks. __________________ Fear is a reaction..........Courage is a decision Last edited by Snakedriver; 03-15-2012 at 10:25 AM..

03-15-2012, 08:07 AM	#5
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,625	Re: bolt cam pin cracked? Im not fully convinced thats a crack. Looks more like a wear mark were the carrier cams over the pin. I'd just get a replacement pin and while your at it get some of those singe piece gas rings. I've seen some bolt heads that were tight bc of the rings but the gun still worked just fine. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

03-15-2012, 09:56 AM	#6
Country101 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dardanelle, AR Contributor Posts: 2,028	Re: bolt cam pin cracked? That is not a crack. Like helix said, that is just a mark made from the bolt carrier. All the rifles at work have a similar mark(Rock River, colt and smith). Our cam pins have a smoother finish, but otherwise look the same. If it bothers you, get another one, but it is likely to have the same thing or develop one quickly. __________________ Gainfully employed= shooting somebody elses bullets and getting paid for it Country101

03-15-2012, 08:16 PM	#7
tankman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 25	Re: bolt cam pin cracked? how many cycles does it take to create a wear mark like that though? new. not new. which one is it, its got me wondering. __________________ what do you feel when you kill a terrorist? recoil.