DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

[Mike_in_FL]

If you own one of the two brands listed, have you ACTUALLY done it? That is, have you actually removed the bolt from the carrier?

I borrowed a friend's panther to check compatibility of bolt swapping. I couldn't remove the bolt from either carrier. There definitely is NOT an offset on the cam pin of my Eagle Arms. It looks like the only way to remove the cam pin is to remove the gas key.

I also discovered I could swap the complete BCAs between the different brands, so what does that say or not say about the barrel extensions?

Also found my upper doesn't have a floating firing pin. The firing pin has a spring on it. Does yours?

Thanks in advance and yes, I went through the first 8 pages of "remove bolt ar-10" on the Google 'hide search engine.

 

[BCP]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

My lr308 bolt strips just like an ar15 bolt. I do it every couple months which is about as often as I clean the bcg in my 308.

 

[armydog]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

you can remove it, you have to remove the firing pin, push the bolt into the carrier may have to turn the cam 90 degrees like an AR15, mine is about 8 thousand miles away or i would check for sure for you, pull up on the cam to remove and pull out the bolt. if it a new rifle in may be tight.

 

[Nihonjin]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fngmike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you own one of the two brands listed, have you ACTUALLY done it? That is, have you actually removed the bolt from the carrier?</div></div>I have an Armalite and I have removed the bolt from the carrier.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fngmike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I borrowed a friend's panther to check compatibility of bolt swapping. I couldn't remove the bolt from either carrier. There definitely is NOT an offset on the cam pin of my Eagle Arms. It looks like the only way to remove the cam pin is to remove the gas key.</div></div>You do not have to remove the gas key to remove the cam pin. It is close but it can be removed. Maybe try putting a a flat head screwdriver or similar object between the cam pin and bolt carrier to gently pry it out.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fngmike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I also discovered I could swap the complete BCAs between the different brands, so what does that say or not say about the barrel extensions?</div></div>It is recommended to keep the manufacturer type of barrel extensions and bolts the same.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fngmike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also found my upper doesn't have a floating firing pin. The firing pin has a spring on it. Does yours?</div></div>Yes, Armalite has a spring. I believe DPMS type does not.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

I took some pics while trying to remove the bolt because I couldn't believe it would clear on mine. Thanks to everyone who replied, it took a lot more "prying" than I was comfortable with. I had to hit the carrier with a screwdriver handle to get the cam pin to finally move out further than it had previously before I believed it would come out.

I don't follow the logic of why they aren't manufactured more like the cam pin in the 15s.

I would NOT use a DPMS carrier in an Armalite upper or vice versa. The panther I borrowed isn't mine and the owner couldn't remove the bolt from his rifle either. I was attempting to verify if there are any differences in barrel extensions. Bolts visually appear to be real close, carriers are definitely different. I didn't attempt to check headspace with the BCAs swapped either although that could be an interesting check later.

Right now there's a group buy going on this site for Lilja barrels. The barrels are meant for DPMS however. This would imply that if there is a difference in barrel extensions you couldn't use an Armalite bolt with these, you'd have to purchase a new DPMS bolt. I didn't really see that, I would still use a new bolt but now wonder if brand would matter. I'm going to borrow the panther again and check the headspace to see if I can find out anything.

Neither of our rifles have more than 100 or so rounds through them. I'd like to swap the bolts and headspace to see what that would say about the extensions.

 

[Maestro Pistolero]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

Very strange. I have never heard of that. Something ain't adding up.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

i could be mistaken, but if the Lilja are not already all done (extensions mounted) you could send the armalite BCG and they could get that to work. when i called around and did the research on my build thats how i took all the data i read. either way i would send my bolt in to get the barrel done correctly. the place i got mine done at started off saying they didnt need it. they knew DPMS's specs. well $25 out of my pocket in postage later they showed they actually did need the bolt to get the job done correctly

 

[djkest]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

I was able to remove the bolt on my AR-10. I do have a spring for the firing pin, Armalite says this is because of the extra mass of the larger firing pin, the pure momentum of the firing pin flying forward (when you release the bolt, or when the action cycles) can actually cause the rifle to run away- hence, the spring to retain the firing pin until struck by the hammer.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

No prying - but perfect alignment is a must. Very little clearance.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

I know it shouldn't require prying, but mine didn't want to come out. Probably just too new and not a whole lot of lube on the pin. You're definitely right about the clearance, that's why I was like WTF? Why would they make you remove the gas key to clean your bolt? I still don't understand why it doesn't have the offset like a 15 would. All of us idiot privates could grasp rotating the cam pin 90 degrees on a M16A1.

Axe, it strikes me funny that .308 barrels "seem" to all be sold without the option of a new matched bolt. I'd always heard a used bolt would wear a new extension faster than a new bolt would, could just be internet BS, idk.

If you purchased a matched bolt with the barrel it seems like it wouldn't matter whose brand of carrier you put it in...

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fngmike</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I still don't understand why it doesn't have the offset like a 15 would.

</div></div>

Offset is the angle; it may very well be the same angle, but other dimensions are different. The carrier diameter is bigger, the receiver cutout it follows is bigger, the pin head diameter is bigger...

It is not an AR-15.

 

[Falar]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

Yes, ArmaLite firing pins have a spring to prevent slamfires. This differs from others that all have floating firing pins.

As to the cam pin besides not needing to be rotated 180 degrees it is much more difficult to remove. Usually when new it is the worst but will get easier over time. I just use a flat blade screwdriver along with my thumb and a little bit of twisting to make sure it lines up right and it comes right out.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: _9H</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fngmike</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I still don't understand why it doesn't have the offset like a 15 would.

</div></div>

Offset is the angle; it may very well be the same angle, but other dimensions are different. The carrier diameter is bigger, the receiver cutout it follows is bigger, the pin head diameter is bigger...

It is not an AR-15. </div></div>

I understand it isn't an AR-15. I also understand that if the AR-15 market had been filled with non-interchangeable parts, they probably wouldn't be selling .308 versions today. And you wouldn't have the amount of aftermarket products available either. You might be able to find someone who built a .308 rifle by themselves first, but I bet it was a .223.

If the cam pin "head" was round it would be eccentric on the 15 so that it could be rotated out of the way of the gas key for easy removal. If the head on a .308 was round it would be concentric. That's all I meant. Don't mind Eli Whitney pinwheeling out of his grave...

 

[1Sg (ret)]

Re: DPMS .308 or AR-10, can you remove bolt?

It will loosen up after a while.I had a problem with my firing pin retaining pin at first.I took a file to it to bevel the end.Everything works good now.