Ruger 5.56 AR-15 Bolt Carrier Problem

[Raider1956]

I was cleaning my Ruger and had a problem removing the bolt cam pin in the bolt carrier assembly. It actually looks like it has a crack in the middle 3/4 way around the pin. I had to work hard to remove it. I assume that's not the way it came from the factory. Can someone tell me what should I replace because of this? I was also wondering if there are other better components, I could replace the bolt carrier assembly with? Anybody have suggestions? The AR-15 is new to me. Thanks for any help!

[MCPO_SOCM_RET]

Cam pins, and their respective slot through the bolt, take a lot of force. It is usually the bolt cam pin slot that breaks, but only after thousands and thousands of rounds unless it is a crap part. If what you see is a curved line in the pin near the shoulder, that is typical.
Check out this link with pictures https://www.rugerforum.net/threads/a...ktured.300426/
If that is what you are seeing...clean it, grease it, and put it back in. That's normal.

If it is cracked, a call to Ruger is warranted. Or if you're worried about continuing to use it, still call them - they'll probably send you a new one for free.

A picture of yours would help tons.

Cam pins are disposable/expendable parts and only cost less than $10. I think they're like $4 or less from Ruger.
I have a couple in my AR range bag - along with gas rings, firing pin retainer pin, detent springs, and on.

I won't go into which bolt carrier group is better than the other. That's a can of worms.

[Raider1956]

Thank you very much. I wanted to u/l pics but I don't see where or if I can.

[december1979]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1VeNhBPjWE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihWIjCMme34


Watch this guys videos and you will learn alot about the AR platform. I can't find the video or it's a small part one but he dimples the top of the cam pin so it can always be reassembled back in the same direction to minimize wear on that part.