I bought a PTI Super Safety and decided it would find a home in a Stag Arms carbine I bought years ago. I got the old parts out and the new parts in with no issues. PTI recommended swapping the 3 oz carbine buffer for a 4.6 oz H2 buffer. I had to order one and it came a couple of days ago and that’s where I hit a snag. When I tried to depress the retainer plunger to remove the old buffer it wouldn’t move. I used a punch and small hammer to tap it down far enough for the buffer and spring to clear it. I decided to remove the buffer tube/receiver extension to give me more room to work. I loosened the castle nut got it and the receiver end plate out of the way. Then I couldn’t unscrew the buffer tube by hand and had to put a wrench on it. They had put some kind of sealant on it and I assume some of it got in the retainer hole and is what is holding the plunger. The plunger is down in the hole with the top of the little tit about even with the top of the hole. I can just barely get ahold of it with needle nose pliers but I can’t pull it out. I sprayed it with brake cleaner and then filled the hole with WD-40 and letting it soak. Still stuck. At my wife’s suggestion I poured nail polish remover in the hole and let it soak over night. Still stuck. Other ideas I have seen here and there is use a propane torch to heat it, heat the receiver to 150 degrees in the oven and hit the plunger with cold spray and strapping the receiver to a case polisher and see if the vibration will shake it loose. I’m open to any ideas. BTW I never use sealant on buffer tubes and stake the castle nut instead. Thanks.
I’ve thought about that but I’m not sure there is enough clearance. I’ll get an easy out bit and I have a Dremel with the flexible cable that might work. It’s gorilla taped to the top of my case polisher atm and we will see if that shakes any thing loose. Thanks.
I don’t have a torch or heat gun but I’ll certainly get one if it comes to that. We’re going to our NC place in a couple of days. That will probably have to wait until we get back. I’ve also thought about dropping in a ultrasonic cleaner but haven’t used it in a while have to buy some fluid. Thanks.
I don’t think it would hurt anything to put it in the oven at 170° for 5-10 minutes.
But I’m Not speaking from experience but why not.
People do it all the time for Cerakote at higher temps
Well it’s in the oven. I guess I was more concerned about the heat weakening the springs. I took the fire control group back out but the pin detents, bolt release and magazine catch are still in place.
Well it’s been in the oven for about 30 minutes and tried to pull it out with needle nose a few minutes ago and it still wouldn’t move. I’m going to leave it in for a while longer. I may bump the temp up to 200. I did ramble around in the basement and found a propane torch so I guess thats next if this
doesn’t work.
Neather have I so this is learning job. I have half a dozen more lowers so if I screw this one up I have replacements. As has already been mentioned they cerakote at 250 to 300 so I think it will be ok. Maybe.
I left it in the 200 degree oven for at least 30 minutes and it still won’t move. I guess the propane torch is next. I may try that tomorrow. I have to take my mower to the dealer for some work tomorrow but maybe when I get back.
Propane wont work either. You are heating it all at the same time therefore expanding at the same rate. Go get and easy out (a small one) and dont risk stressing the aluminum to the point your lower may crack.
