New AR-10 BCG cam pin stuck

[Captain]

Ordered a new AR-10 bcg and got one with a cam pin that doesn't want to come out.
Should I file the gas key or the cam pin?
Which file should I use?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Alex

 

[Badshot308]

Is it an Armalite brand? The cam pin is a very tight squeeze past the gas key, but it will fit. Don't fill either part.

 

[Captain]

Yes ordered direct from Armalite. With respect, it's not a tight squeeze, the cam pin will not make it past the gas key. Just got it out of the box today.

 

[Badshot308]

You will probably have to use a small bladed screwdriver to pry it past the gas key. My AR-10 is over ten years old and I still have to pry it past. Read page 36 of this manual http://www.armalite.com/images/Manuals/AR10Manual2.pdf Now if it still will not pry past the gas key, contact Armalite before filing either the cam pin or the gas key.

 

[Captain]

Thanks very much.

 

[ORD]

You will probably have to use a small bladed screwdriver to pry it past the gas key. My AR-10 is over ten years old and I still have to pry it past. Read page 36 of this manual http://www.armalite.com/images/Manuals/AR10Manual2.pdf Now if it still will not pry past the gas key, contact Armalite before filing either the cam pin or the gas key.

+1 on this advice. They are tight little buggers, but they are ALL that way in my experience with Armalite rifles over many years now.

 

[Captain]

Thanks again. The gas rings don't hold the BCG up when standing on end.
The factory oil is still in place and the bolt hasn't been removed.
Is this a problem?

 

[flynlow3]

Is it a piston driven or a gas rifle? If it is gas, this is a problem. If it is piston driven, then it is not. Or at least that is the way it works on my ar's.

 

[Temp9]

Need a picture to assess the situation. With respect, they had to get it in somehow. It should come out.

 

[Captain]

Update:

Good news is the screwdriver popped the cam pin out.

Bad news is it's a gas rifle BCG. I wiped out the interior of the carrier and the outside of the bolt and made sure the gas rings where dry. Still, reassembled dry, The carrier slides right down over the bolt when standing on end. I though maybe armalite did something differently. My AR-15 gas rings keep the carrier up, and I've read everywhere that's the tell tale sign of gas ring replacement. Sucks, this thing is brand new. Would new rings be the quick fix? Or is something out of spec? Thanks again.

 

[Temp9]

Your gas rings need to be replaced when the rifle no longer functions properly. Get some oil in there and stop over-thinking this. Shoot the gun.

 

[BERGA]

The AR15 gas ring wear test does not apply to the larger AR10 BCG. I went through this when I built my first AR10T. I bought new rings and tried it over and over, wet and dry, then I guy tells me "hey dumbass that test is for AR15's not the AR10 class rifles".
It might hold the BCG up if it's wicked dirty and fouled up nice and crusty but everyone of the AR10's, DPMS LR's and Rock River LAR's that I have played with will not support the BCG when standing on end, with brand new rings or otherwise.

 

[Captain]

Thanks everyone it makes sense. There's no gun yet, only the AR bcg, a stripped JD machine DMPS upper, a geissele SSA, and a vltor gfh mod 3charging handle so far. Nice to have perspective, usually 8541 is pretty accurate with his advice. He mentions filing the bcg if the cam pins stuck and says the gas rings should hold everything up here: Mail Call Mondays #12 - Semi-Auto Rifle Cleaning (AR-10, LR-308, SR-25, M110) - YouTube
Lesson learned. Appreciate the help. Alex

 

[jdr724]

When did you order it?

I've had some on order with them for 8 months and I called about a month ago and they still said I'm on the list?

 

[Captain]

I ordered mine over the phone 19-APR-2013. Glen said it would be ready late this year/early next year. It arrived UPS 20-June-2013.

Alex

 

[BERGA]

This is from Armalite. (I was shocked to see the BCG, on the AR10, in the video support ltself)


27 My bolt wiggles/has more slop than my AR15 is this normal?

According to Armalite it is fine for this to happen. The AR10 can have more slop due to the bigger volume of gas. The AR15 "stand the BCG on end/ see if the bolt moves" does not apply to the AR10. Armalite has even said it will run without them, Although I would not try this. So what the answer, if it shoots then enjoy. If you have any gas problems and loose rings, replace the rings. I have a 10K+ A2 that has yet to have the rings replaced. YMMV

 

[mtrmn]

Go to the Armalite website and look in their library for technical bulletins. I don't have time to look it up, but there is one that tells about the McFarland 1-piece gas rings they normally use on the AR10. Basically says the sliding resistance of the ring makes no difference as long as the gun operates properly. While you're on the site, go ahead and order a spare for hard times while they're available.