AR 15 ambi features question

[Carl]

I'm in the process of building my first AR15 and I would like to make it completely AMBI. The lower and upper receiver are going to be right handed, but I'm going to have an ambi mag release, bolt switch (BAD lever) and safety switch.

The issue is the ambi mag release with an ambi bolt release switch, specifically a BAD lever. I know Troy makes an ambi mag release that is completely compatible with their BAD lever. It also seems that a Norgon ambi mag release is compatible with the magpul lever and possibly also the Troy, although I've heard some people with shorter fingers have to in a way reach around the lever to compress the norgon.

As far as Phase 5 bad lever, it appears that it's too far out from the receiver for it to be compatible with a norgon mag button.

But what about a Knights Armament mag button? It does indent into the receiver just below where the bolt release is. Would a mag lever fit right where the intention is? Also I can look at pictures and videos all I want, but I'd like to hear some personal experience with which ambi mag releases and BAD levers go well together and which ones are physically imcompatible.

Thanks.

 

[ugaarguy]

BAD Lever is a registered trademark of Mag-Pul. Mag-Pul left Colorado when that state passed anti gun legislation. Meanwhile, Troy Industries hires murderers and gun grabbing cops - http://www.thebangswitch.com/the-hiring-follies-of-troy-industries/. Buy from whomever you want to, but Troy Ind. isn't getting another dime of my money.

 

[greyling22]

Fwiw, I happily run an ar with a raptor charging handle and a left hand selector. Neither the mag release nor the bolt release give me issues.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Lefty here, I can run an AR both ways. My guns get ambi safeties and norgon mag releases. Never felt the need for a BAD lever. They're not really "ambi", just another doo-dad.

 

[briansmithwins]

My left handed friends usually don't bother with the LH mag release, they just hit the standard one with their thumb while reloading. Same goes for the bolt release, the right hand just curls around from the front and hits it after the mag is in.

The ambi CH is nice to have if you're left handed.

If you want to go truely ambidexterious, the FN SCAR is perfect. All the controls are duplicated on both sides of the rifle. The new Beretta ARX has dupe controls and even let's you swap the side it ejects on w/o having to take down the rifle.

BSW

 

[USAF_Vet]

Lefty, run ARs right handed. I'll eventually put ambi selectors on, but the mag and bolt releases are fine where they are. My right hand is my mag hand, and can easily drop and swap mags. My trigger finger can release the bolt. Never understood the doodads added to make a gun more lefty friendly when the AR is already pretty lefty friendly.

I learned how to run an AR from professional military combat arms trainers, and my technique works very well.

 

[4v50 Gary]

As a southpaw, I like ambidextrous safety and the Norgon mag release. Cocking handle doesn't matter since it pretty much operable with either hand.

 

[manithree]

I'm not a lefty, but my right eye has problems, so I shoot long guns southpaw. I like my ambi safety, and charging handle extension, but I'm about ready to take off the Troy "ambi" bolt catch.

Maybe it doesn't do this for everybody, but with the added mass, the bolt release is way too sensitive. Every time I set the rifle down, or even move it too fast, the bolt closes without even touching the release. I don't like that.

 

[Onmilo]

I have Norgon's on all my ARs and use an ambi safety with the right side lever trimmed down on one.
You don't really need ambi bolt release or charging handle.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I'm not a southpaw, but was looking seriously at an ambi safety, bolt release, and charging handle for my AR build...then I took a CQ carbine class.

I had already equipped my AR with an extended/enlarged BCM CH prior to the class and had a chance to try out a Raptor on my rifle while I was there. I also had a chance to try out a couple of other ARs with different ambi bolt releases.

With the techniques taught in the class, I really couldn't justify going with any of the ambi add-ons.