MAT-9K build almost finished…bolt release/catch sticking after Cerakote. Looking for advice
Attached are photos of my Mat9k build (the last photo is unedited)
My MAT-9K / Matador 9 Colt build is almost finished, but I’m trying to resolve a bolt catch / bolt release issue before I take it out to shoot.
Important Context: I just had the upper receiver Cerekoted
The issue is that the bolt catch seems to engage correctly, but it does not release/reset reliably. When I pull the charging handle back and use the bolt hold-open/release control, the bolt catches like it should. But when I press the top of the bolt release/catch to drop it, the bolt does not go forward like it should.
I’ve been working the charging handle back and forth to try to loosen things up, and that has helped quite a bit. I’ve also cleaned everything with CLP and oiled it. It feels noticeably better than it did at first, but the bolt still does not reliably release when I press the bolt catch/release.
Build details:
• Upper: Matador Arms MAT-9K
• Lower: Matador 9 Colt-pattern lower
• Magazine: Metalform 9mm 32-round SMG mag
• Brace: A3 Tactical modular telescopic brace
• Brace attachment: Gear Head Works Tailhook
• Grip: MDT Pistol Grip Elite
• Trigger: Geissele SSA-E currently installed may change to SSA
• Optic: Holosun 510c
• Suppressor: Dead Air Wolfman
Since only the upper was Cerakoted, I’m wondering if the added coating thickness on the upper is causing some kind of interference between the upper, bolt/BCG, and bolt catch. It seems like the bolt catch is holding the bolt open properly, but then either the catch is not dropping cleanly or the bolt is binding against it under pressure.
I don’t want to start filing or sanding blindly. I’d rather diagnose the actual contact point first and fix it correctly.
Has anyone run into something similar with a with a freshly Cerakoted upper causing bolt catch interference? Any advice on what to try first would be appreciated.