My DIY Redi-Mod and B.A.D. Lever

AR/M4 Custom Build Forum
1

I’m a cheapo, and I love working with my hands and doing things for myself.

I’ll start with the bad lever. I knew I wanted one of these once I got my Gen-1 Redi-Mag after seeing the videos other users had here and Travis’ video as well. Unfortunately Im just barely starting to get into writing full length reviews and Im basically a “nobody” in the firearms world so that left me with turning to friends (A couple other members from the main forum that I post on) for help.

After days of back and forth, showing pictures to the one member (CAD Designer) and a couple of nice members from TOS who had their own designs that I liked a little of each we came up with a few preliminary designs

After some time with the micrometer on my end checking clearances and some time on the phone reviewing it, the files were sent to the machinist.

My original “mspaint” drawing to show him the concept

After using the other designs from the TOS members and adjusting them for my “wants” we came up with this

Then a final design change to make the machining easier finally led to these (blasted and painted flat black)

These were made slightly under size so installation on my part could be hand fitted by file.

On to the DIY Redi-Mod

I hunted around for a while and found a NIB Gen 1 A2 model Redi-Mag for $50 shipped. I figured this was a good price for me to “hack on” one.

I asked for some suggestions here and other places and got started. Everyone knows what an “uncut” redi mag looks like:

I started with removing the “redi mag” rollmarks from the RM

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I did screw up one part by over cutting though (lower left corner of the cut). I plan to fix this with some JB, but it doesnt affect function.

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Then (my camera broke and I used my blackberry to take this pic) I did the “diagonal” cut on the face of the RM:

I have an engraved lower from Anvil-Arms, so I decided to cut this side (which was going to get done anyway) and cut the rubber too (no metal to metal contact though)

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Instead of copying the redi mod exactly I went with 3 drill holes instead of one milled “hot dog” shaped hole:

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And then I cut the front face of it too (I may drill out a hole under this too):

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With Mags in:

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Once this was done I set out to install my BAD lever so I could hand fit it with the RM in place. Afte 5 minutes with a file, and a minute with a 6/32 tap we have the following:

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I then took a home bluing kit to the exposed metal from the cuts after smoothing off the sharp edges.

The current build wearing an A2 stock I painted while I wait for my UBR. Barrel is at the smiths having the FSB attached, and I just haven’t gotten around to ordering the Larue 9.0 yet.

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Thoughts? Comments? Criticism?

2

The B.A.D. looks good. Do you think it would work with a GenII Redi-mag?

And when you are going to start selling them?

3

It’s designed to work with either gen redi mag.

I won’t be selling them. Travis encouraged people with the will and means to make them for personal use, but I wont make money off his concept/design in any way shape or form.

4

Ok, can I have one for free then?? :wink:

5

I’ll take one too :smiley:

6

The BAD seems like such a good idea that it should be included with the Redi Mag. The two complement each other quite well.

Any concerns about the BAD warping or bending when attempting to release the bolt? Maybe something like a bead roll? A bigger pad to release, with some serrations on it, might be nice as well.

Good work.

7

The two I have (only two I will ever have likely - until magpul releases theirs) were both machined out of a single piece of T6 7075 (i think) aluminum. I notice no bending issues etc. Even trying to actually “bend” it I wasn’t able to.

I was thinking of using some of my grip tape on the underside to make locking the bolt more positive, but it doesn’t really need it. I may use some of my rubber spray for tool handles to slightly rubberize it maybe…not sure yet.

8

Thanks for the pics and write up.
I snagged a Gen 1 RediMag from TOS EE for $45 with this project in mind :smiley:
After that I’ll tackle my Gen 2.

9

Can someone point me to a tutorial/summary of the Redimag V1 and V2 differences, along with the mods?

Thanks

10

So there are no tutorials out there…I just did the cuts on my own using a dremel and tape to mark everything off. To finsh the bare metal I used a home bluing kit.
Towards the end I started using the drill a lot more and then complemented it with the dremel for the straight lines.

Gen 1 redi mag - spare mag drops when rifle mag drops
Gen 2 redi mag - spare mag has it’s own release

A1 - uses rubber shims and has a different attachment method (screws differ I think)

A2 has a rubber tube that you stretch over the receiver and has a nub on the one side to help you attach the RM to the gun.

11

So, if you are going to use a BAD, would you get the version with out the BCE?

So the advantage of the V1 is that you hold onto the spare mag and then hit the mag release, which will release both mags, so you just move the spare over.

With the V2, is there a way to drop the weapon mag from the weak side, or only the spare mag?

12

If you plan to use the bad, you wont be able to use the BCE from boonie packer.

You’re right about the Gen 1, some people have issues with that system for malfunctions etc. If you have to clear one though if your being careful enough you can put enough pressure on to release only the weapon mag. Or you can hold the spare while you release the main and it won’t drop.

Gen 2 can only be released via the lever on support side, and weapon mag with strong side. (assuming you’re a righty and not talking about reaching over with the other hand etc)

13

I don’t do reach-arounds.

14

Ok how about making a gagle of them and not making any money on them, but selling them for what you have into them plus shipping? PLEASE
:smiley:

15

I have $0 into them, only me and my friends’ time and materials. He only made two. For more to be made I’d have to officially get his shop to produce them - acquire materials…sign a contract for them. For a short run to be officially made…it’s not something I want to get into.

Part of the agreement was that I wouldn’t even get the finished CAD files because of any kind of infringement tat could occur against Travis’ design.

Sorry :frowning:

16

doesnt hurt to ask. I will just have to wait untill magpul releases theres…

17

Sorry about that, it’s just that me, my friend who helped with the CAD work and the Machinist don’t want any legal trouble regarding anything along that line. I didnt state the name of the shop they were machined at to avoid calls there for this since they were made as a “spare time” kind of thing…and calls to the shop about something that “was never made there” would be a BAD (pun…haha) thing.

I’ve received a few PMs about buying my spare lever (not just here but on the other main forum that I post on) and about getting the CAD files, and about getting in touch with the machinist and after speaking to the machinist and the CAD guy it’s just not something they want to get into.

It’s not meant as an offense to anyone in particular…just shielding from any legalities that could show up.

For the sake of fun though…I’ll trade the spare lever for a magpul lower :slight_smile:

Any takers?

:wink:

18

That does raise an interesting issue. An Olympics Arms lower with a BAD is more functional than a MAGPUL lower. The Magpul lower doesn’t lock the bolt back from the strong side, it only drops it. And I do have a MAGPUL lower, so I’m not throwing stones.

All this talk of a bar of metal with a 90 degree angle in it reminds me of the Simpons episode where home goes up in the shuttle and all the hero praise goes to the inanimate rod.

If you like the B.A.D. , just wait till Magpul Brings our the W.O.R.S.E.

19

lol…yeah…until we design the WORSER…ER.

20

Im interested in how you secured it to the OEM bolt release. How secure is it? From your pictures it looks like it is going through the bolt release itself?

Here is one Travis gave to me, everytime before I head out to the range I check it to make sure it is secure. But he also mentioned that what ever give is in the BAD is also a product of whatever give is in the bolt release itself…