I was cleaning my M&P today after running through a couple rounds yesterday. I decided to do a thorough cleaning and completely took apart the bolt. The little cylindrical pin that holds in the extractor is impossible to get back in. I had to use a pair of pliers to get it back in. Anyone have experience with anything similar? The whole rifle seems so tight in terms of tolerances. My colt is nothing like it. Any ideas?

My friend purchased a MP-15 right after I purchased my Bushmaster. After the Range on day we both sat down and broke the rifles down for a thorough cleaning. My bushmaster is like your colt, with plenty of tolerance space. His M&P on the other hand needed to have the extractor pin held with a needle nose plier and "encouraged" with a starting punch and brass hammer. I guess milspec has a little variation .

I find that by putting a little pressure on the extractor with my thumb behind where the o-ring is will allow me to slip the pin right in.