I have a spikes lower and I was wondering if anyone has a after market ambi bolt release set up yet? I know troy is working on one and I was curious of other companies has released one already and if anyone is using one right now. I’m curious how well it works.
I have a Norgon Ambi-Catch installed on my 6920. Works great, definately would recommend it. Check it out if you get the chance.
Have you considered the Magpul BAD (Battery Assist Device)? or are you interested only in pure ambi bolt releases?
GU
I consider the Norgon ambidextrous mag release standard kit for a left-handed firer, and there are some excellent ambidextrous selector options on the market as well. I’ll doubtless have more to say about this later.
The ambidextrous bolt release issue is not nearly so clear cut in my view. I do have one on a Magpul lower, and I find it a convenient and worthwhile addition; that said, it isn’t really yet a part of my manual of arms, since this is the only rifle I have that is so equipped, and I’ve already been working around the problem for some 30 years.
Some will tell you that the B.A.D. is another viable solution, though I personally don’t find that very credible, since (a) it is still going to require the use of your right hand in order to actuate it, (b) it adds complexity, and (c) it remains a theory-based product which, while effective, isn’t fielded in great enough numbers to really consider it a standard solution. More to the point, the B.A.D. is designed primarily for the trigger finger with the right hand on fire control, so any actuation by a left-hander is still going to be a work-around.
I think the jury is still out on the dedicated receivers that we’re starting to see on the market, and this would include the Mapgul. I’m thrilled to see the incorporation of true ambidextrous controls, of course, but there is an attendant training requirement because of where and how they are placed. They do work well as designed, but this is yet another case where operator training (or lack thereof) is really going to make the difference.
AC
New equipment that requires altering the manual of arms always seems to raise discussion and even controversy. If maintaining the manual of arms is the most imprtant factor, then new parts that offer improved function might not be developed and available. “Improved function” is subjective and always seems to cause debate. If we get stuck in the past, we might still be stuck with tiny charging handles run with the right hand instead of the oversized latch models and the latest revisions, the highly regarded Gunfighter charging handles. I’m sure there are some who had to make a major adjustment to run the charging handle with the left hand instead of the right, while there are newer shooters who never even considered any other way. That’s the way they learned.
Two “new” parts that I really like are the BAD lever and the Redi Mag. I have both and I’m OK with the changes required to use them. They both require major alterations to the manual of arms I use for my carbine.
To me, ambidextrous bolt catches make sense. Who knows if one standard type will evolve that is accepted as “standard”. It may only happen if the US military adopts it, and even then it will take some time. At some point, I believe there will be shooters who never knew anything else, because ambi-bolt cathces will be the norm.
We seem to be going down two divergent paths here, and without further input from the OP it’s going to be hard to tell which one is the right path.
The discussion of “ambi” controls is never really that simple, as evidenced above. Some are talking about left-handed controls (Norgon, POF, KAC) while others are talking about shifting controls from one side of the gun to the other (BAD). FWIW, I believe the former is the better definition of “ambi”.
If the OP is a lefty looking for controls on the other side of the gun, IMHO the stock bolt release is perfectly designed and located for releasing with the left trigger finger, and no further modification is needed.
The BAD, and similar devices, is not really and ambi control in the strictest sense, at least to me. I find it to be an ergonomic improvement, and use them on just about all of my rifles at this point, but I don’t view it as an “ambi” solution.
maybe if the OP can come back and tell us what he’s trying to accomplish we can better guide him. “Ambi” seems to be one of the hot buzzwords in the AR market right now but like most things end use and needs still drives the train.
… but it can be oprerated with either hand.
kind of. Its designed for the right handed shooter, but a lefty can still utilize to a decent degree.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyrC5mdY8og
My point was that a right handed shooter can still operate it with the left hand like the standard manual of arms, even though it is designed to move the function to the right hand trigger finger. The video confirms that it works with both hands.
I was familiar with this technique, though it was still helpful to see it demonstrated. My concerns, as identified in the video, are that the B.A.D. makes activation of the Norgon somewhat more complicated, and in this, it may be creating a more significant problem than it solves (again, from a left-handed firer’s perspective). If you have long fingers, this is likely less of an impedent, but then again, if you have long fingers, you can probably reach the unmodified bolt release with your trigger finger in the first place.
Like anything else, this could be viewed as a training issue, but I just don’t see what a southpaw stands to gain from a faster bolt release if the component involved actually slows and/or obstructs his access to the magazine release. Obviously, some have done it and gotten good results, but there are enough alternate methods of releasing the bolt that I can’t quite follow the risk versus return payoff associated with this particular mod.
AC
How long is your trigger finger? I can’t get that method to work without removing my hand from the grip.
The magpul bad lever is the same as the ambi bolt release from troy (i’m a left handed shooter). Personally the magpul version looks better. Well i think i have to get the bad lever. I wonder where I could get a good deal on one.
After watching that youtube video, the bad lever, could have issues if you were to release the magazine and possibly hitting the bad lever and releasing the bolt. They I wonder if you could file some of that off so that it won’t stick out so far. Maybe magpul could come out a with a shorter one.
It’s a little pricey for a little piece of metal. Is there a cheaper version?
Although I think it’s a pretty cool device I don’t think i could install this because…well…I live in cali. There’s this thing called a bullet button we need to install on our AR’s that has the horrible, the very bad pistol grip feature, a bullet button needs to be installed. That’s even considered a gray area with the laws in cali. I guess technically we could still get our rifles taken away. But anyways let’s get back on the topic on hand.
Just tried it again to be sure. Not going to measure my finger but I had no issue at all hitting the bottom to lock it open and only a very slight modification to get leverage to release the bolt. I can reach the pad with a firing grip but shifting just a hair gives me a little bit better leverage to ensure release.
the bottom of the bolt catch is almost exactly across from the mag catch, so if you can reach that with the right hand…
Sorry to but in here, but I had a quick question since I see that the BAD lever has been mentioned. Will the BAD lever work on a weapon that is using the 1st Gen. KNS anti rotational pins? The reason Im asking is because I have them installed on a Sundevil lower and the space between the pins and the part of the reciever that runs vertical from the bolt catch is very narrow. Thanks for any input…
As a left-handed shooter I would advise you to reconsider getting the BAD. I know many many right-handers that are ditching theirs as well. I love Magpul stuff but not everything is worth having.
It will NOT give you any enhanced capability on the left-side and you will find that you’re often activating it (dropping the bolt) when you least want it to. If you’re using a Norgon Ambi-Catch (which I highly recommend for lefty shooters) you’re even more likely to drop the bolt when you don’t want to if you’re simultaneously using a BAD.
IMO the positioning of the device is an impediment to left-handed shooting. Putting it where you lay you’re trigger finger while not shooting is a real flaw.
How long is your trigger finger? I can't get that method to work without removing my hand from the grip.
I have small hands and I have no problem at all activating it, especially with a standard A2 grip. Your catch may be tight but it will loosen with practice. Even still shifting your grip isn’t the end of the world. You’re not going to die on fire if you shift your hand from the firing grip briefly to drop the bolt as you’re mounting it to your shoulder.
I’m a natural righty but my wife is a lefty. Here are a few mods I did which allow her to operate the gun from the left side.
Lefthand Mag Release
Lefthand Bolt Release
I used a second BAD Lever for the mod by dremeling a channel on the primary lever and cutting the end off the second lever. Measured twice and cut once for a perfect fit. I did not like having to slide my hand up the mag to release the bolt from the right side.
Here is the mod I did to the ACLM.
Is the bad lever that sensitive to activate?
Tornado Racing, that is some nice creative work!