Most bolts for an AR-15 come fully assembled, but if yours isn’t, this is how you assemble one from parts. I like to start by lubricating all the pins with some light gun oil. This will make them easier to install.

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Also, be sure to add a bit of grease to each of the springs.

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Place the extractor spring into the spring recess in the bolt with the large end inside the recess.

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Now place the extractor on the bolt

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and clamp it into place using a padded machinist vise.

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Place the roll pin in the starter punch and begin driving to pin through the bolt,

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switching to a roll pin punch to drive it the rest of the way.

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Insert the ejector spring into the recess on the bolt face.

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Align the clearance cut on the ejector with the ejector pin hole and insert the ejector into the bolt.

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Press the ejector end with a flat face punch.

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Once the clearance cut is in line with the ejector pin hole, insert a small punch to capture the ejector.

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Now take the roll pin starter punch and seat the roll pin.

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Use a roll pin punch to finish seating the ejector roll pin. As you drive in the roll pin, you should drive out the small punch you used to capture the objective.

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Now slip the ring into the groove. Repeat this process with the remaining two gas rings.

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Then adjust their positions so the open ends are not aligned, thus not compromising the gas seal.

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–Larry Potterfield

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