SAR 3 recoil spring question?

[2336]

Folks, I recently purchased a SAR 3 (Greek-built, stamped receiver) and finally got out to test fire and BZO. Fired a total of 45 rds and the problem appeared on the second to last round fired. Bolt remained to the rear! Weapon on safe, dropped the magazine, which still had one round remaining. Checked the chamber - empty, checked the bolt face - looked okay. Removed the take down pins and pulled the stock off. The stock, bolt, and bolt carrier came out as one unit! Weird! The end plug of the recoil spring guide rod was sticking out of the front of the bolt carrier and was jammed in that position by what appeared to be a large diameter piece of wire. That piece of wire turned out to be the forward retaining rivet for the guide rod end plug! It had come loose and got jammed in that position. Really bummed me out because up til this point I was loving this rifle! It was running smooth, recoil was a bit less than my CETME and accuracy is SWEEET!!! 300m headshots would be easy with this rifle, and that's with the iron sights and my old tired eyes! I'll be ordering some more of the retaining rivets from RTG but was curious if there's anything special about installing them. Or should I replace the guide rod entirely? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance folks! ;)

[Perro Del Diablo]

its a roll pin
there should be 2 roll pins retaining the recoil spring guide stop on the G3, and only 1 on the CETME

this is a COMMON problem - moreso than you think
i had 1 CETME that i recently sold that this would happen to occasionally and when you got it all apart, the roll pin would be sticking out, and as soon as you tapped it back in it worked fine again until the roll pin would work itself loose and jam inside the carrier tube again

maybe im misunderstanding you, but im pretty certain that this is what your problem is from what im reading

[2336]

Perro, you are correct in that it's actually a roll pin. I'm actually holding the "escaped" roll pin right now and looking at the empty hole in the recoil spring guide rod. I referred to it as a rivet because the G3 Armorer's manual calls them rivets. Is there a particular secret to keeping these little puppies in place? What would you think about putting a small drop of super glue on either end of the roll pin once it's been placed into the guide rod? Should try to re-use the old one (it's slightly bent) or just say the heck with it and order some new ones?

[oldpaint0]

Use permatex red loctite or bearing mount, that usually solves the problem. Apply and let dry overnight before assy.

[2336]

oldpaint0, thanks for the tip - will do! ;)