Frequently Asked Questions
We answer some of the most common questions about the bolt retention system below. If you have a question that you don’t see answered, please contact us.
Q: What states is the BRS available in?
A: Currently the BRS is offered for residents of CA, NJ, D.C, IL, DE, and CN. Learn more about the legality of the BRS here.
Q: What is Interrupted Action?
A: The standard firing cycle of a semi-automatic firearm consists of nine steps: Feeding, Chambering, Locking, Firing, Obturation, Unlocking, Extraction, Ejection, and Cocking. Interrupted Action adds a small step of user intervention between the Cocking and Feeding step in which the BRS locks the Bolt Carrier Group in the rearward position. The user must interface with the BRS to release the Bolt Carrier Group and allow the next round to be fed.
Q: Can’t I just hold down the interface on the BRS to simulate semi-automatic fire?
A: No. We’ve designed a disconnector into the BRS to prevent this. We think it’s an important component to retaining the legality of Interrupted Action. If you enter an area where semi-automatic fire is legal in your rifle’s configuration, we recommend you replace the BRS with your standard bolt-catch.
Q: Do I have to make permanent modifications to my rifle?
A: No. The BRS is a drop-in replacement for your standard bolt-catch and even utilizes your standard bolt-catch roll pin.
Q: Will the BRS fit in my AR10?
A: At this time, we do not have an AR10 variant available. We plan on introducing one in the near future.
Q: I just unboxed my BRS and it feels wobbly and fragile. Why?
A: The BRS is made of two pivotal pieces - the Lever and the Tab. The tab is the smaller of the two pieces and is designed to rotate freely and pitch forward and backward by roughly 20 degrees. This movement is critical to the functionality of the disconnect functionality that makes the BRS such a strong compliance option. The wobble you feel when handling the BRS when it's outside of your rifle is perfectly normal.
Q: Will the BRS scratch the face of my bolt?
A: No. The BRS is made of a heat-treated carbon steel alloy that is strong enough to withstand thousands of impacts without deforming, but not so strong that it will scratch your expensive bolt. It’s designed such that, in the rare case that there is damage from use, any damage will appear on the BRS and NOT on your bolt.
Q: I’ve put several thousand rounds through my rifle. Why am I starting to see small surface scratches on the BRS?
A: That’s because the BRS was designed to be a consumable (albeit, one with a very long lifespan). Because of the operating conditions (the bolt carrier group slides across the top of the BRS between every shot), the BRS sees friction and impact forces that few other internal firearm components do. We wanted to make sure that the BRS does not scratch or damage any internal components it touches. As such, we made the decision to use a coating and heat treatment strategy that would make the BRS softer than all other components that it touches within the rifle. This may lead to some small surface scratches forming that will not affect the operation of the BRS.