Works Great, Easy to Install
Purchased a Seekins DMR that came stock with this Bolt Catch. Didn't stand out as anything special until I shot the gun. The size, texture and feel are outstanding. The shape is somewhat plain, but the oversized surfaces make it easy to lock back the bolt and send it home in a hurry on a speed reload. I have installed several on my newer builds, and now going back to replace the Mil-Spec Bolt Catches on some of my older ones too.
ENHANCED inside and out
Don't buy this catch if you don't need a FULLY enhanced bolt catch! It has a smaller pin hole to keep it from flopping around and help it engage the mag follower. It is also thicker. I have 2 80% lowers that won't hold open with a standard catch. This one just WORKS. If it is a little tight, then don't cry and complain, but work it in! It also works fine on a 9mm build. If your 9 breaks it, you are probably running the wrong weight buffer and a weak spring. Get a heavy buffer AND use a .308 carbine spring!
Great upgrade
After my first carbine class I went in search of a bolt catch that had an enlarged bottom portion for locking the bolt open. I found the Seekins and gave it a try. It worked perfectly and was exactly what I was looking for. Since then I've installed them in three other lowers and have had no problems with fit or function. I've installed them in lowers from BCM, Spikes Tactical, and PSA.
Easy Install, Easy Upgrade: Faster Bolt
Used for a RRA Entry Tactical Duty Rifle. This simple upgrade makes it faster & easier to lock back and release the BCG. No Qualms Here Buy It! you wont regret it!
Will NOT work in Mega Side-Charging Upr
While this is a lovely bolt catch, it will NOT work in a Mega Arms Side-Charging Upper. There is not enough material milled out of the upper for this bolt catch to fit.
Big upgrade over the stock part
I was drawn to this part because I found the bottom portion of a standard bolt catch to be inadequate when locking the bolt open. The enlarged and protruded bottom portion of this part solved that problem for me. It is machined well and of high quality. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because it is incompatible with the Magpul BAD lever or any equivalent device that attaches to a standard bolt release. This may or may not matter to you.
No go
Love the feel of this catch, couldn't care about looks. I wanted a larger paddle and In return the bolt won't lock up on the last round. Happened after two months. I don't feel you should have to remove the paddle to clean it inside of 10000 rounds. And I find it funny that the stock catch never wore down on my service rifle. Best uses..."target practice" only because this will make you one. Save your money and go stock!
Didn't work for me
I've build around 11 ARs using Aero, Spikes, DPMS, Bushmaster and other lowers for myself and a few friends. I've always used the bolt catch from DPMS or CMMG lpk. On my last AR build (Aero lower) for myself I decided to put this item in for a more enhanced bolt catch. I wanted one bigger in both the catch and release areas. Installation was like any bolt catch. It moved freely without the mag and it locked the bolt without the mag but when the mag came into play, it never locked itself. It seemed like it had problems moving, it felt tight with the mag in the mag well. It looks good, good material, nice wide surface on both ends but not in spec.
Out of spec
I have tried two of the Seekins enhanced bolt catch on different builds without success. The first one would not lock the bolt open after firing the last round from several different magazines, and would not hold the bolt back even when manually locked back. The second one I ordered would not fit into the receiver at all. It was a Seekins forged lower that I was building up. I measured both the lower and the bolt catch and the bolt catch was slightly oversized to the point that it would not fit. I really like the design of the larger paddle, but they need to get their specs correct on this part.
Bent and locked up my 9mm carbine
I've run a few of these before without issue, but on the FIRST time I ran my 9mm carbine to slide-lock it bent this piece and locked up my PCC HARD. I had to use a screwdriver and a hammer to bend it back enough to tap it down. I could then slide my bolt forward and begin to repair. I had been using a box-stock factory bolt catch without issue prior to this. Not an upgrade and too soft. The one I had on my HD rifle is now coming off as well and replaced with something hardened.
