POF 308 bolt catch issues

[Dennis_in_VA]

I have a new to me POF 308 rifle.

The issue I have is with the bolt catch.

It will not keep the bolt locked back.

I can cycle on an empty mag and the bolt catch will hold the bolt back WITH the mag in place. When I press the mag release button, the mag starts to drop and the bolt slams forward.

If I pull the charging handle back and push in on the bolt catch, it will hang on the bolt carrier and keep it back but as soon as I let go of the bolt catch, it seems as though the bolt is so slick that it just glides right over the bolt catch.

Have any of you had an issue like this?


Come to find out thru some looking around on the POF website, I found out why this problem exists.

The main cause is the standard rifle buffer is too long by about .6".

The standard buffer spring is also playing it's role in this as well. It has 43-44 coils.

The correct spring has only 38-39 coils and is the same relaxed length as the standard spring.

 

[Dtarget]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Mine does the same thing. I just figured it had to do with the slippery NP3 on the bolt.

 

[cz777]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

yup i have the same trouble with Y/M bolt carrier with NP3 in a D.I. ar 15 ....like a greased pig and it works too..

 

[redirt78]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Just got my NP3'd P308 and it does the same. Hopefully someone has a fix.

 

[Dennis_in_VA]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

The surface of the bolt catch that is supposed to hold the bolt back could be longer or deeper.

That NP3 is slicker than Owl $h1T !

 

[redirt78]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Yeah it is. It runs really smooth but the lock back problem isn't too cool.

 

[KillShot]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

I checked mine today and it doesn't have the issue that's been mentioned in this topic.

So, when you have the bolt locked back and you press the mag release on the right hand side of the lower, it causes the bolt to slam shut?

 

[redirt78]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

You can't lock the bolt back unless there is an empty mag in the well to catch it. With no mag in it it feels like the catch just barely sits on the lip of the bolt, like an oldschool mouse trap with a hair trigger. If you go to manually lock the bolt back without a mag, as soon as you start to let pressure off of the catch the bolt slides forward. Also, when an empty mag is seated in the well and the bolt IS locked back, the bolt slides forward as soon as you drop the mag to put in another one. So, if you ran empty and went for another mag you'd always have to rack the slide back to chamber the first round in a magazine instead of just tapping the release like you should be able to.

Maybe its something they recently corrected?.. I believe mine is a 2009 model, it came with the old Predator/Tactical style rail and the serial # begins with 09-

I pm'd a few others who have history running POFs and I'm pretty sure they've probably seen this. Maybe they'll have some help or ideas.

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

I would contact POF and speak to them, but im 99.999% sure its just tolerance stack up from the ambi parts. Im not sure exactly how theirs works, but if its anything like ours (not sure you can do it too many different ways).The parts that make the ambi work can make it to where the bolt catch doesn't go UP far enough to catch the bolt enough to hold it back. Playing with these parts there is somewhat of a small window to hit and make it work properly. Take off too much somewhere and then the bolt wont drop enough when you push the ambi release.

 

[redirt78]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Thanks Heat

If anyone contacts POF let us know what they say might work/help.

I'm waiting to hear back about something I ordered, I'll post here if I get any tips on what we might be able to do, if anything.

 

[sgj2025]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Mine is a 09 model. Never have experienced it.

 

[Dennis_in_VA]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

I was just on POF website and found this Tech Notice about the buffer and spring for a fixed stock. You will notice that the bolt head travels back behind the bolt catch when the "correct" buffer and spring are used.

This is the fix for our slippery bolt stop dilemma.

 

[redirt78]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Damn. Thanks man.

Can anyone who finds the right parts post a link to someone who carries them. I had trouble finding them.

Here are the parts I got to use with my PRS

Buffer from BCM


Spring from BCM


Buffer tube from Rainier


Obviously what I got doesn't work right

Tube should be fine, not sure about my spring, need to pull it and count the coils and pretty sure I have the wrong buffer.

-------

POF's site says the buffer needs to be .308 A2 style and 5.31" overall length

Closest I have found is "DPMS standard buffer at 5.28"

AR Parts.com DPMS .308 standard buffer


For the spring they call for it to be a .308 A2 style action (buffer) spring and 12.5 to 12.75" with 38-39 coils

Closest I have found is ".308 Standard length Buffer Spring Lenght 12.75 inch 42 coils"

AR parts.com .308 standard length buffer spring

 

[desertfox01]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

308 spring from brownells:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=42988/Product/Buttstock-Buffer-Spring-Std

buffer from brownells:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=42989/Product/-308-BUFFER-BODY-ASSEMBLY

buffers and springs for 308 are shorter, both carbine and rifle. this applies to all 308 AR rifles using AR15 receiver extensions. the exception is if you are using a buffer tube that is longer then the ar15. Armalite does one that is longer and allows you to use AR15 buffers and springs.

 

[redirt78]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Thanks Dfox. I guess even though neither one is exactly what POF recommends those ought to work.

The buffer I got is too long, might start there. Maybe my spring will be ok.

 

[desertfox01]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

you can also try Wolffe springs.

 

[cyrekzz]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">POF's site says the buffer needs to be .308 A2 style and 5.31" overall length

Closest I have found is "DPMS standard buffer at 5.28"

AR Parts.com DPMS .308 standard buffer </div></div>

yep - i have a 2009, but back then, i was told to get the dpms buffer/spring/and buffer tube. Mine works so far.

 

[KillShot]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

What you need is a 'RIFLE LENGTH' buffer and spring for the PRS to fun function properly. They can both be ordered from MidwayUSA. That's where I purchased mine. Be sure to specify that you need it for the .308.

 

[redirt78]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

I got a rifle length buffer and spring, apparently they're not all the same. My buffer is too long. I guess it doesn't list it as being for 308 and thats where I screwed up. Make sure you don't get it.

Buffer from BCM

Thats ^ what I got

 

[Dennis_in_VA]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

I called POF today and they want $19+ for a buffer and $9+ for the spring......

I went on ahead and ordered it from them directly.

My rifle originally came with a Magpul UBR stock.

I put the PRS on myself.

 

[T2CH]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Those parts should be sent to you free of charge from POF. The rifle came from the factory with the wrong parts and the factory should correct the problem.

 

[Dtarget]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: T2CH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Those parts should be sent to you free of charge from POF. The rifle came from the factory with the wrong parts and the factory should correct the problem. </div></div>

<span style="text-decoration: line-through">I think all POFs ship with carbine stocks.</span>

Opps. Looks like they offer rifles with A2 stocks now.

 

[redirt78]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: T2CH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Those parts should be sent to you free of charge from POF. The rifle came from the factory with the wrong parts and the factory should correct the problem. </div></div>None of our rifles came from POF with this problem that I know of. I switched to a PRS stock and bought the wrong parts to go with it on my own. It was not POF's fault, I didn't realize the problem until I put the PRS on. It probably functioned fine the way it came to me, I switched stocks right after I got the rifle.

 

[redirt78]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dennis_in_VA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I called POF today and they want $19+ for a buffer and $9+ for the spring......

I went on ahead and ordered it from them directly.

My rifle originally came with a Magpul UBR stock.

I put the PRS on myself. </div></div>

Thats fair, I paid about the same for the wrong parts from BCM and Rainier.

I just got an email back from POF with links to these after asking if they could tell me where to get the right parts.

BUFFER

SPRING

Looks like I'd save a few $'s if I called and got mine through POF like you did.

 

[SmokyJoe]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

As you replace your spring and buffer, you may want to have a look at Hellbender's guide on adjusting bolt catch over run. This will help you adjust the overrun to be enough but not too much. This keeps the bolt catch from getting hammered too much and the last bit of the recoil pulse is a bit smoother.

Hellbender's How To Adjust Bolt Catch Overrun

On my P308 with a Tubbs CS rifle spring in a PRS stock, I installed two quarters and the overrun was just right.

 

[redirt78]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Thanks man.

 

[Dennis_in_VA]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Thanks for that nugget of info there D.D.

 

[SmokyJoe]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Thank Hellbender! He posted a series of How To's for AR's which are all great. The bolt and lug polishing are the best.

 

[garyaug]

Re: POF 308 bolt catch issues

Guys
I have been thru this with mine!!!!
Glen is right on the stackup. I ordered an Armalite "New Style" bolt catch. It is a lot taller than anyone elses I then filed and stoned it down to fit. The system now works properly. I asked this question a year ago and there was no help to be found. This did work for me. I was lucky enough to own a few AR10s so I could swap out parts