B.A.D Levers, yea or nay?

[DustyGmt]

I like em, I've been using them for a few years now and I've not had any problems using them. I have a couple AR's that don't have them and it has caused me to reach, or sweep for something that's not there. I agree with those that say you should become really proficient with the bone stock AR, manual of arms but once you get used to the lever, it really is convenient.

I don't base everything I do off of the top youtube operators and gun gurus by any means but I do investigate different devices and accessories through video because I can't try everything that's out there, but I've noticed alot of the more popular guntubers and take stock especially of those that lived with their guns and used them in combat through military experience, by and large if those guys don't just outright dismiss or disparage the use of a B.A.D lever, most of them don't seem to be using them on their AR's, they seem to favor oversized bolt catch/release, if anything. I also don't see alot of 3gun competitors using them either which is kind of puzzling since they shave a small amount of time off of sending the bolt forward or locking it back to deal with a malf, etc....

Am I missing something, is there a reason they aren't really popular anymore? I've been using one on a few rifles for about 5 years, maybe a lil more. The most common gripe I hear is people just dont like anything crowding the trigger.... What's your experience?

 

[BreechFace]

Won’t have one on my carbine. Looks like a recipe for a disaster at the wrong time.

 

[DustyGmt]

Won’t have one on my carbine. Looks like a recipe for a disaster at the wrong time.

So never used one, I'm just curious if you've used one or it's just repellent on a basic visual level. I can't see how it would spell disaster for anybody but I have no experience with adjustable gas blocks and they are probably fail proof but I won't put them on a couple of my overgassed AR's. No reason, just don't like the thought of one.

 

[BreechFace]

I have a brother that *had* one on one of his carbines and have handled it a few times. But I’ll keep my trigger guard with as little of obstructions as possible. Not to mention the BAD lever puts extra weight/leverage on a key component (bolt stop) which to me is a bad (no pun intended) idea to begin with.

 

[BreechFace]

On a mag change if one is up on their training…

Beer can grip on magazine, thumb flagging out on bolt release side of gripped magazine, insert magazine after a dropped mag, thumb hits bolt release. No need whatsoever for the BAD Lever.

One can maintain sights on while doing so, or can look the mag into the magazine well, both have their pros and cons.

 

[Chuck R.]

On a mag change if one is up on their training…

Beer can grip on magazine, thumb flagging out on bolt release side of gripped magazine, insert magazine after a dropped mag, thumb hits bolt release. No need whatsoever for the BAD Lever.

One can maintain sights on while doing so, or can look the mag into the magazine well, both have their pros and cons.

^
+1

This is how I learned.

 

[12Bravo20]

I've never seen a need for one since I shoot left handed and can reach the bolt stop with my trigger finger. I will say that an ambi safety lever is nice to have and do use ambi charging handles on my AR's with scopes.

 

[DukeConnor]

I suppose if I was competing I'd try anything to give me a edge.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

What is it?

 

[American_Fusilier]

I have them on all of my AR15s.

 

[adcoch1]

I like them, but only one rifle has one on it at the moment. And it is set up to be ambidextrous. I have tried to cause cycling failures by pushing or pulling on it, and it just doesn't get in the way. But once, I accidentally dropped the bolt with mine. So not for every rifle in my opinion...

 

[trackskippy]

I have one on all my AR's and like them. Never found them to be a problem being in the trigger guard, and never had any issues with them causing the carrier to not lock back on empty.

I also have/like the ambi selector levers, but prefer the type that have the off hand side dished out so it doesn't interfere with my trigger finger. The type with levers that are the same on both sides are very annoying.

What is it?

It lets you lock or drop the bolt carrier with your hand on the grip using your trigger finger.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Thanks interesting.

 

[Riomouse911]

I carried AR-15’s, M-4 and Mp5’s for quite a while on SWAT/SRT. With MOLLE straps, pouches, plates and all the other s stuff crowding the Kevlar vest, I tried to keep stuff on the gun pretty slick so things wouldn’t catch on it when moving about.

I didn’t use a BAD lever, neither did any of the folks on the teams or units I was on. Doesn’t t mean they are useless or a poor design, just that folks around me didn’t use them.

If mounting one on your AR’s gives you confidence, have at it. If you try one and you don’t like it, you can always take it off.

Stay safe.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I used to use them.

As a lefty I thought I needed one.

I don't use them anymore. Even on my 3 gun rigs, it's extra that I don't need.

I even made a lefty reloading vid with one

 

[troy fairweather]

Don't likem

 

[StrawHat]

What is it?

A device designed to take the money in your pocket and deposit it in someone else’s bank account.

Kevin

 

[trackskippy]

I guess these on the M14/M1A's are useless too? Damn!

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I have a BAD lever on all my ARs.

I use it to lock the bolt open only. I retract and release the charging handle to put the bolt into battery, using the same motions I use on my pistols.

A BAD lever lets me keep my firing hand grip while working the charging handle.

 

[doubleh]

Not being terribly interested in ARs except one that I used for coyote hunting I had to look this gadget up. In my limited experience it appears to be a solution in need of a problem in my case.

 

[DesertFox]

Only the Colt 901 sports one around here since it is OEM ambi setup. Built over a dozen myself without. About as useful as forward assist...

 

[12Bravo20]

It lets you lock or drop the bolt carrier with your hand on the grip using your trigger finger.

Which is only needed for you wrong (right) handed shooters.

I won't try to talk anyone in or out of buying the BAD lever, but it really is not needed.

 

[trackskippy]

Not being terribly interested in ARs except one that I used for coyote hunting I had to look this gadget up. In my limited experience it appears to be a solution in need of a problem in my case.

Like most things youre unfamilar with, once you spend a little time with them, and figure things out, and you usually have a different opinion on the other side.

The most obvious thing is, it gives you more control of things without removing your hand for the grip.

And if you feel the need to "slap" the release, its even bigger and easier to hit now too.

Which is only needed for you wrong (right) handed shooters.

I won't try to talk anyone in or out of buying the BAD lever, but it really is not needed.

LOL. The only thing making things "wrong", is all on the user.

Its works really well your way too. Just tap the release with your thumb on the reload.

 

[12Bravo20]

I had to learn to shoot left handed as a young kid due to my eye sight. I never had any issues operating the M16A1/A2 while in the Army. I do wish they would have had ambi safety levers back then though.

For the OP, it is more of a personal choice on whether to use a BAD lever or not.

 

[trackskippy]

If youre looking for a decent ambi safety lever, that is ambi in its own right, these work really well. You can switch the levers to either side so even for the wrong handed people, the trigger finger isn't annoyed.

JBO AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety Selector

JBO AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety Selector

www.joeboboutfitters.com