I installed the Norgon ambi mag release onto my Spikes lower.
This thing is super hard to activate! I did 100 reps with it, still super hard to activate. Took it out sprayed down with some rem oil, same results. Tried back it out some, no go, tried backing it in some more, still super hard to activate. So right now its pretty much useless for me to use. Should note I’m a lefty and I sam using my strong hand index finger.
Any suggestions?
The lever is short, which requires more force to push it. Ambi mag releases like KAC’s uses a longer lever and thus needs less effort.
It seems to me you’ve still got it too tight, back it out a turn or two more and see if that doesn’t help.
It shouldn’t be all that hard. Don’t be afraid to keep backing it out a few more turns.
Can you see the threaded end of the catch poking out from the button on the right side? That would be a big clue that it’s on way too tight.
I use the Norgon mag catch and have never experienced this problem. Back it out a few turns and try again.
I was on the fence… and this is helping my leaning.
That being said, can you use a BAD type lever with a KAC Ambi Mag Release?
KAC is turning out an excellent product, to be sure, but as a fellow southpaw I still consider the Norgon to be the industry standard.
Gutshot John is offering sound counsel here. I would reverify my configuration, and remove/reinstall if necessary, as a properly-installed Norgon should not be at all difficult to actuate.
AC
Both of mine are as easy to use as a standard catch.
As a lefty, I just finally ordered one of these from Brownells. Should be here next week.
With no experience with these safeties, here’s my educated guess:
Is it rubbing on any part of your receiver? Does any metal area of the safety need to be deburred? Maybe some minor fitting is needed?
I’ve built-up about 30 or so lowers of different makers. I’ve found small variances in some of these receivers.
Basically, if it’s not working well in one receiver, it might work great in another.
Good luck.
Well, after a couple of days and about 500 reps its working properly, might have been a burr, that along with letting the rem oil soak in, its seems good to go.
Thanks for the replies.
I hate to repeat this question, because it comes off as a bit rude.
But do you think you could fit a BAD or some other Bolt Catch operating device with the Ambi attached?
Could you take a picture of it with it laying down oriented directly above the receiver and it’ll satisfy my question.
I appreciate it.
I want to say they will, but, I haven’t looked at them enough to know.
Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
have not tried to install both B.A.D and Ambi mag release at the same time but my radio operator told me he could not on his rifle.
Part of the reason I was asking is Troy Industries now has a Ambi-Mag Release and Ambi-Bolt Release (Bolt Release Lever) of their own.
It’d seem a little funny to me if they couldn’t work in conjunction.
But then again, Norgon doesn’t work with Troy, but their mag release is similar enough in design that it should have similar tolerances with Bolt Releases.
Thanks for the info.
The Norgon and B.A.D work fine together on my rifle. I thought there may be some problems as you have to reach over the B.A.D. lever to actuate the mag release. But it hasn’t been an issue for me. When the bolt’s locked back on an empty mag the B.A.D. lever lays pretty flush against the receiver and doesn’t interfere. I also find the lever helpful with left hand manipulations. Catching the bolt, or dropping it with my right thumb during a magazine change. I’ll post a couple pics once I’ve cleared my camera memory.
Bolt locked open:
Bolt closed:
Hope that helps. 
The Norgon and the Magpul BAD don’t work well if you’re trying to use the Norgon on the left side. If you’re using it like a normal right handed person it works fine. It’s just reaching the Norgon with the Magpul BAD in the way is almost impossible. If you still want to use them both the Norgon must be installed be for installing the Magpul BAD.
It is more difficult to activate the mag release with the lever on. I haven’t had trouble with it, but I haven’t run it under ant stress situations either. I wonder if the Troy ambi mag release may work better once it’s available. The release lever is situated further away from the bolt lever. But you’ll still have to reach over it to press. Just another of those “you’ll have to try it to see if it works for you.” Things that makes our sport so costly I guess. If it doesn’t there’s always more room in that box of holsters and other spare parts we all have in the back of the closet.:rolleyes:
Just a Left eye dominant shooter looking to become as efficient as possible shooting left handed.
I think I’ll try the ambi-dexterous magazine releases, and then go from there.
ETA: I left my web browser up and saw I hadn’t posted this, I saw your photos, it does help, I appreciate it…
It’d definitely interfere with a KAC style Mag Release… I think all the levers would.
I really need to get out and shoot my gun a bit more, practice bolt releases from a shooting position without any kind of device, figure out what “I need”.
I’ve done a little bit of stuff around the house, but nothing in implementation, reaching around the magazine well, and try shifting my firing grip to enable the bolt release with my middle/index finger…
I need to finish this gun and get out to the range ASAP…
ETA 2: By the way, does anybody have experience with a KAC Mag release? Is the positioning weird, because it’s a bit back more towards the shooter?
http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1098739
A google search revealed that and clearly demonstrates that you can’t use a Bolt Release Lever with that mag release…
I’m wondering if the raised magazine release paddle on the Troy design if that wouldn’t be more ideal for working with a Bolt Release Lever. (6th post in that thread below)
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=47517
It definitely protrudes out a bit that it might help with reaching over the Bolt Release lever… Because realistically if you think about it, if you’re going to run a lever (I’m on the fence), and you’re left handed, you’re going to have to Reach over that Bolt Release Lever to reach the aftermarket Ambi mag release of whatever choice you select… You’ll want that mag release probably a bit more pronounced away from the receiver…
I think will only time/feedback will tell.
Thanks for any and all input and the input I’ve received.
Given that the Norgon is primarily designed to benefit a left-handed firer, and the B.A.D. is primarily designed to benefit a right-handed firer, I’m not entirely sure when it would prove advantageous to configure a single weapon with both devices – especially when we take into account that the presence of a B.A.D. makes it all-but-impossible to use a Norgon effectively.
I do follow the associated training argument for a RH shooter wishing to conduct off-side drills, but even if a B.A.D. were not installed, I’m still not sure that a Norgon would be the preferred solution for a right-side dominant shooter. There are other methods of dealing with magazine exchanges when the left-hand is fixed on fire control that would probably prove nearly as effective (and far less confusing) than trying to master a new piece of rather specialized hardware.
AC
As a lefty this may have been part of my issue. I have a BAD and then installed the Norgon. Its doable but not ideal because the BAD is so close to where you need to depress the Norgon.
Whenever the Troy ambi mag release comes out I’m going to try that, it looks like that might be the ticket for a lefty that wants the BAD and ambi mag release.
Yeah my experience is that the norgon is easier to actuate by pressing right at the tip.
What do you use the BAD for as a lefty? My left trigger finger seems to do everything the BAD does for a right handed shooter.
I lay claim to no special expertise here, as my knowledge of the B.A.D. is more theoretical than practical; that said, I don’t really understand what a left-handed firer would stand to gain from installation of the device.
I have seen various proposals to modify/shorten the lever to help accomodate some form of left-handed operation, but was generally left with the impression that this was something of a solution in search of a problem. Not so?
Don’t want to put you on the spot, but I would be interested in what (as a left-handed firer) motivated you to invest in a B.A.D., and how has it proven beneficial.
AC