Geissele Automatics Maritime Bolt Catch

Great! I use no other bolt catches anymore. Large surface, easy install etc..., fit and function are solid. Highly recommend!

I have a high security under seat ARMA15 vehicle mount with a high security, and ultra fast opening Mul-T-Lock (so fast, the shank itself disengages). This system requires an open bolt so that both the upper and lower are protected.
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<br> It was a little annoying dealing with the milspec tiny bolt catch, so I tried one of these Maritime catches, and I liked it so much I put one on all my ARs except for one. No more fumbling with the small bolt catches.
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<br> Wish I had one on my Army service rifle, as my duty uniform was a Nomex flight suit and Nomex gloves, when you use gloves, this product is tailor made. My only rifle that I didnt put this Geissel on is a Six8 with a enhanced titanium bolt catch, which is nice as well, but four times the cost of this, If Geissele made this out of lighter weight titanium, they would then have no competition. Still an awesome product.

I do not like that this was not made with ambi mag release as in mind. But I will say if you have 30 minutes to spare grab your grinder and cut off approximately an eighth of an inch off the bottom and then repaint it. After doing so this looks pretty nice and functions well alongside hva ambi mag release.

Top shelf bolt catch assembly. The over-sized control surfaces are easy to find under stress and the fit and finish is perfect. Lets be honest this is a Geissele product, and their parts are second to none. My only issue with this part is that Geissele does not include a spring or plunger. This is like selling an expensive trigger and not including pins for the trigger and hammer or a gas block with no gas tube pin or screws. There is no excuse for it. That probably isn't a deal breaker for anyone but on the premium price you are paying one should be inbluded.

The larger surface area is the primary driver in swapping out the standard bolt catch for this one. While that is properly executed, this thing absolutely sucks for functionality. Under the .308 tab here on Primary Arms, this is sold as a usable part to integrate into a .308 lower. This bolt catch DOES NOT fit an Aero Precision M5 lower. Satisfaction may vary with someone else's lower, and good luck with that.
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<br>I then installed the Maritime Bolt Catch into an AR15 lower. While I was able to get the roll pin in to hold it in place, IT DOESN'T WORK WITH ANTI-ROLL PINS HOLDING THE TRIGGER. The catch cannot be pushed in far enough to release the bolt.
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<br>This bolt catch is nearly useless.

There are things about the AR platform that could stand to be enhanced but where the wheel doesn't necessarily need to be reinvented. The bolt catch is a great example. It doesn't need to be fancy but the mil-spec leaves something to be desired... enter the Geissele Maritime bolt catch which has just the right improvements without being ridiculous. I have a POF rifle where I can release the bolt from inside the trigger guard. Frankly, I don't have much need for it. I'd be happy with just a bolt catch of the Geissele Maritime variety. Sons of Liberty Gun Works offers this bolt catch by the way and if you know those guys, they aren't putting anything on their rifle builds that isn't built like a brick house.

Easy to use. Much easier to lock bolt open than mil-spec. Easier to close also. Works incredibly well. Only wish there was an SR-25 version too.

Fits perfectly on my standard lower, and with the Botach mag release installed there's just enough clearance for both to operate. I got it primarily because the larger surface aids ambi operation, and so far it's a much better solution than stuff that hangs into the trigger guard.

Great bolt catch/release. BUT, it is not a 308 lower part. Listed under the 308 menu.

I've used this bolt catch on 5 AR-15 build to date and have had no issues whatsoever. Works well with the Troy designs ambi mag release as well as the CMC trigger with anti-walk pins. Though it can be a bit finicky installing the anti-walk pins if this bolt catch is already installed.
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<br>Only issue I've run into so far with them is that they are not compatible with the Aero Precision M5 lower receiver. It will fit just fine on it, but there isn't enough room on the receiver for it to raise the bolt catch as needed. This is the only type of lower receiver I've tried it with so it may fit others just fine.
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<br>Other than that small issue, they're a solid upgrade to any AR-15 lower that I've come across.