Can you identify this mystery part?

[CountryGent]

I was cleaning out a range bag and I found a small, metal part that I can't identify.

Fast facts:

1. It is about the size of nickle.
2. I'm not aware of any pew that is broken, but I also can't identify his part.
3. One side looks to be broken off something.
4. It was found stuck on the feedlips of a STANAG-pattern magazine. It doesn't appear to go to it, but it is maybe a clue.
   

Pictures:







And magazine stuck to:



Any ideas? Thanks!

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[Stomper]

Is the magazine follower intact?

 

[titsonritz]

I was cleaning out a range bag and I found a small, metal part that I can't identify.

Pictures:

View attachment 1309943

That first pic looks a lot like the busted off end of an AR bolt catch

 

[Yarome]

That first pic looks a lot like the busted off end of an AR bolt catch

View attachment 1309975

Before seeing this... that was my first guess too. Bolt catch internal.

Which might kinda make sense if you found it snagged in a mag, too.

 

[titsonritz]

wIzE mUh BoLt NoT sTaYiN bAcK nO mOrE oN dA lAsT rOuNd???

 

[Member 34319]

Looks like you sheared off your bolt catch.

 

[Member 34319]

Go stick the empty mag in that SBR AR of yours and pull the charging handle, see if it locks back.

Leave this here just in case.

AR15 BOLT CATCH PUNCH SET

SPECIALIZED AR15 BOLT CATCH PIN STARTER & PIN PUNCH SET Two punches, one simple solution to the difficult to access bolt catch retaining pin. The orientation of the pin, close proximity to the lower receiver, distance required to safely punch a pin and the difficulty in getting the pin started...

www.realavid.com

 

[CountryGent]

Is the magazine follower in tact?

Here's a pic of the magazine I found it stuck to. I don't really recognize this one, but it was in the bag.

That first pic looks a lot like the busted off end of an AR bolt catch

View attachment 1309975

Ah, it sure does look like that. I'm down in Grants Poop, eh, Pass on family biz, but will dig out the little CAR-15 thingy when I get home.

Thanks guys.

 

[F2CMaDMaXX]

Is it not just a mag cap\cover?

 

[Member 34319]

Out of curiosity @CountryGent did you ever pull the trigger a few times when the upper wasn't on the lower?

 

[CountryGent]

Out of curiosity @CountryGent did you ever pull the trigger a few times when the upper wasn't on the lower?

Not to my recollection and I can't think of why I would have. Though, granted, I rarely shoot that pew. My better half didn't as I do all the maintenance on the firearms, including disassembly and such.

I did, however, have a weird malfunction a while back in which the carbine was jammed up big time. Couldn't clear it on the home range, so took it back, tore it down, cleaned and lubed everything, and put it back together. Since then it has run fine. I honestly don't recall if the bolt hold-open wasn't working, but I can test it when I get home.

 

[Member 34319]

Not to my recollection and I can't think of why I would have. Though, granted, I rarely shoot that pew. My better half didn't as I do all the maintenance on the firearms, including disassembly and such.

I did, however, have a weird malfunction a while back in which the carbine was jammed up big time. Couldn't clear it on the home range, so took it back, tore it down, cleaned and lubed everything, and put it back together. Since then it has run fine. I honestly don't recall if the bolt hold-open wasn't working, but I can test it when I get home.

I ask as that's usually how they break, or at least weaken. The hammer hits it when the upper isn't on if one were to pull the trigger. With some force too.

The different mag could also been what broke it. That looks like a lancer, which has reinforced feed lips. Metal to metal with a minor part off spec might be what broke it. Some mag and ARs just don't get along, example below. This mag never engages the bolt stop.

 

[Member 34319]

Here's a pic of the magazine I found it stuck to. I don't really recognize this one, but it was in the bag.

View attachment 1310046

Ah, it sure does look like that. I'm down in Grants Poop, eh, Pass on family biz, but will dig out the little CAR-15 thingy when I get home.

Thanks guys.

The back of that mag looks pretty chewed up. Whatever gun it was in didn't seem to get along with it!

 

[CountryGent]

Roger that. Thanks much @Reno. We normally just use metal 20-rounders in that carbine, with an occasional 30-rounder of the same material. But that plastic one was found in the range bag, so maybe that's a clue. If that mag doesn't get along with the little carbine, easy enough to remedy.

 

[Velzey]

I like to walk up and down the firing line and drop misc parts into range bags…

 

[User 1234]

Nobody has said flux capacitor yet?


Normally I'd say I'm disappointed in everyone, but I understand the gloomy mood this weekend is justified.

 

[Stomper]

That first pic looks a lot like the busted off end of an AR bolt catch

View attachment 1309975

That's exactly what it is!

 

[Ops]

im guessing your lower has a threaded bolt catch hole and it backed out.

aero lower?

 

[titsonritz]

im guessing your lower has a threaded bolt catch hole and it backed out.

aero lower?

POS cast part to break like that.

 

[CountryGent]

aero lower?

No, the lower is from Ruger. The shorty upper I'm pretty sure is Palmetto, though I am going from memory from some years ago. Other than the Form 1-related (upper, engraving) the only thing I changed is the pistol grip and added a silencer. So nothing in the internals would have been swapped.

On that note, can anyone recommend a replacement part that:

• Is the correct part(s).
• Won't likely break again.
• Just a plain old AR type part that fits a basic CAR-15-ish rifle.

Doesn't have to be anything special because, candidly, not a high priority. When we get home tomorrow I can inspect the carbine to confirm if that is what it came from. Thanks much.