Just received my B.A.D., and ran some practice reloads with it. I was impressed by how fast I could reload my AR. However, with potential failure to lock-back issues, and knowing that standard ARs don’t have B.A.D.s, should I keep this on my rig? I’m planning on joining the Military in the not too distant future, and was wondering if I should train with what I’ll be given, or if I should utilize the BAD and speed up my reloads.
Alternate question, what do the professionals who use ARs in the harms way think? Have you used it while on duty? Was it good? Bad?
I don’t think it’s something you should worry about at this point. Your gonna train plenty with what your issued when you get into the military. Especially if you go the Grunt path. Later on if you wanna put something on your weapon like the BAD, I’m sure there wouldn’t be any problem with that. Especially while deployed. I would just make sure I took the thing off before turning the weapon into the armory. I think it’s an awesome piece of gear. And I would definately get one for my issued weapon if I were to go back to Iraq.
Hey, I got a BAD on my setup (my POW setup that is) but im gonna buy another one for my deployment to the stan inthe next month or so. from what i’ve been told by my Sgt, there shouldnt be a problem with my slappin a non permanent small attatchment to my issue weapon so long as it allows one to preform better.
I use one on my duty rifle. Several thousand rounds and no failures to lock back. Can’t say the same for other versions, even home made versions.
IMO you should train and master the rifle in its most basic offering. No doubt that the more crap you add to your rifle the more training you will need to master your set up. Nothing wrong with progress as long as it is proven to work effectively and that the user does their portion via training.
Ive used mine on my Duty weapon, its awesome. I dont parade it around tho, the fact I use pmags and a MS2 all ready calls enough attention from the wrong people.
with mods like the BAD and AFG you have to retrain to realize the full benefits. Its not simply a bolt on and be done with it. It doesn’t take too long to retrain and it’s one of the best mods for an AR. The BAD even helps lefties, there is a video on youtube about how even lefties can take advantage of the BAD. I originally thought only righties would benefit.
I trained with one for several months before buying one for my duty rifle. One of the obvious benefits is it will make your reloads faster but where it really speeds things up is on the malfunction drills. I’ve been fortunate in that I have not experienced a lot of malfunctions in training, but I train like hell for when I do.
Shouldn’t be an issue with adding it to your issued rifle since it’s not a permenant mod.
I have a BAD on all but 1 of my ARs, and have ran one through a Magpul Dynamic Carbine course, they are gtg. I will say if you are going to put one on your issue weapon you need to function check the shit out of it just to make sure it works on that gun.
I ran a BAD last few months of the deployment. Greatest benefit is the damn clearing barrels. It was worth its weight in gold in that regard.
My suggestion is try it on your home gun and if it works for you then have it on hand for your work gun.
Disclaimer
If you dont have a “out the gate” job the BAD, AFG and PMAGS are not really needed. Issue stuff is very capable of sitting in the rack unused. Always run it past the “bosses” before adding anything to the Army gun. There are still some guys that are Iron sights only types.
you will not be allowed to alter a military weapon in most units.
Furthermore, that’s not something you’d want on your weapon when no one else has it. Bring up the “what if” you had to use a rifle other
than your own.
I run a BAD on my issue weapon, and will deploy with it on there, but I agree with Trunkmonkey. You most likely won’t be allowed to alter your weapon in most units, especially as a new private. Train with what you get, and show your proficiency with the weapon as it is before you try to add other components. Once you’re proficient with your weapon, note any issues you might have with it in it’s current configuration. If you really don’t have a problem with things the way they are, then think extra hard before trying to fix something that isn’t broken. Next, look to see if there’s an item that might address the issues you have, then make sure you can add this item without getting into trouble. After that comes the important part; train with it, and train some more. Train with it in every scenario that you might face in real life(patrolling, urban, CQM, weapons qual, etc). See if it really addresses the issue you had, and ensure that it does not degrade your performance, or create other problems for you. Also ensure that it’s durable enough for the torture you plan to put it through. If after all this you decide that it’s for you, then take it on deployment with you. I’ve learned this the hard way many a time. Just because it’s the greatest whiz bang accessory created, doesn’t mean that it will work for you, and your application of the weapon. A lot of things will create other issues for you, add unnecessary weight, break due to poor design or construction, or not work for you at all. That is the reason that the army is extremely wary of modifications to weapons. Some guys don’t do their homework and just throw the latest cool guy gadget on their gun, and it causes problems. Remember that your weapon is your life on deployment. The guys to your left and right are depending on you to have their backs too, so don’t do anything to your gun or equipment unless you’re sure that it will help you do your job better, and that it does not degrade your performance in the process.
The BAD is more for work guns than play guns. In Three gun you generally never run dry so its a moot point. But on a work gun you do and it can be a live saver. i have BAD’s on all my AR’s except my 308 and 22lr. I talked the chief into buying them for all the department weapons as well.
Pat
Thanks for the excellent feedback. I already have a degree and may do 18X or OCS (gonna finish up grad school first). Thus, if I do 18X (go in as an SPC/E-4) or come out as an officer, I may have more leeway with my issue weapon.
My primary concern was training with a BAD and becoming dependent (if you will) on the lever. And say, in a ‘what if’ situation, my weapon goes down and I have to use the next guy’s rifle, I don’t want to fumble around with it.
Just some thoughts. Otherwise, I think I’ll keep it on my training/Carbine course rifle for now.
If you get an 18X contract and manage to make it all the way to a team you’ll most likely be able to put a BAD on your weapon. Every guy on my team has a slightly different setup. You get plenty of time to master a basic M4 so grabbing one without a bunch of extra crap won’t be a big deal, but It’s probably not worth worrying about at this point. I think one guy in my company has one but most seem to think it’s a “gear queer” kind on thing.
From what I’ve seen, doing modifications like that usually aren’t authorized, “ON PAPER” atleast. You might get lucky when you go downrange, and I’ve seen some crazy stuff on weapons overseas, but like stated previously, it would be a good idea to ship out with a stock gun, and come home the same way. What you do with it 'over there" is between you and whoever you work for. You might get lucky and have a boss that doesn’t care too much what it looks like, or functions like, as long as it works, and is reliable. You might get lucky, my advice…deploy, take the parts, feel things out to see. If it’s lax enough, throw them on and enjoy, if not, oh well, better luck next time. Take care.
side note: I can’t speak for all branches of the service of course, some are a little more lenient with things like this, but like I said, there’s only one way to find out.
I’m with the above poster. It’s a good piece of kit, but don’t count on being able to use it on your issue weapon. Anytime they see someone thinking outside the box your cadre or NCOs will start to look like that dude right before his head explodes in scanners.
However I do use B.A.D. lever on every one of my ARs from competition guns, training guns and guns I would use for self defense. Consistency I believe is the key.