The Arms Guide
  • Home
  • AR-15
  • Rifles
  • Handguns
  • Reloading Gear
  • Gun Safes
  • Gun News
  • About Us

How to Build an AR-15 Lower Receiver: Bolt Catch

AR-15 Lower Receiver Build - thearmsguide.com

Last Updated on November 16, 2021, Published on March 22, 2021 by John Leave a Comment

You’ve installed your trigger guard, but are you ready for the next step in building your AR-15 lower receiver? Let’s install the bolt catch. If you’d like a visual reference for the installation instructions detailed in this post, check out the video embedded above. I’ve included the time stamp in case you want to jump to the point in the vid that details this step.

As with the previous articles in this series, I’ll be using the tools and components I laid out in this post.

(06:53) Step 3 – Bolt Catch

Bolt Catch AR-15 Lower Receiver Build - thearmsguide.com
Notice how I used the other pin punch to help keep everything lined up. Oh, and don’t skimp on the tape. You don’t want to scratch your receiver.

Grab your bolt catch, bolt catch buffer and spring, roll pin, roll pin holder, and the 3/32″ and 5/32″ roll pin punches. Place the small end of the bolt catch buffer into the spring, and then place it into the hole on the left side of the receiver so the spring is inside the receiver and the buffer is facing outward.

Place the bolt catch with the “ping pong paddle” on top, between the two tabs on the receiver, over the buffer, and stick the 3/32″ roll pin punch through the front tab and through the bolt catch so it protrudes through the rear tab. This will hold the bolt catch in place while driving the bolt catch roll pin into place.

Bolt Catch AR-15 Lower Receiver Build - thearmsguide.com
Once you have the roll pin in far enough, you can just tap it the rest of the way in until it flush on both sides.

All you have to do now is press the “ping pong paddle” a few times to make sure everything moves OK.

Got that all together? Great. In the next step, we’ll install our AR-15 lower receiver’s pivot pin.


Filed Under: AR-15

Related Posts

  • Best Ar 15 Cases
    The 8 Best AR-15 Cases Reviewed (Hard and Soft Rifle Cases)
  • Best Ar 15 Lower Parts Kits
    Best AR-15 Lower Parts Kit in 2022
  • Best Ar15 Under 1000
    Best AR-15 Under $1000 in 2022

About the Author

Avatar for John

John

About us

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


In Case You Missed It

Judge,gavel,and,gun,on,usa,flag.,gun,law,concept
Gun News

Gun Control Looms After Texas Bloodbath

May 25, 2022

A,gun Free,zone,signpost,on,a,fence.,gun,control,in
Gun News

Nevada Takes a Stand Against Gun Free Zones

May 24, 2022

Supporters,of,the,extreme,far Right,golden,dawn,party,celebrate,after
Gun News

The Real Big Lie About White Supremacy and Gun Violence

May 23, 2022

Berkeley,,ca, ,august,27,,2017:,unidentified,participants,at,the
Gun News

Antifa’s Growing Use of Guns

May 22, 2022

© Copyright 2022 Thearmsguide · All Rights Reserved.

  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • About Us

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.