I switched to using a BAD lever a while back. I am really happy with it (some have reported failures of their rifles due to the device, but I have yet to experience it. Though, I am sure it CAN happen). Anyways, the device allows me (as a left-hander) to close the bolt with my right hand thumb after inserting the magazine (beer-can style). You might want to give that a try. If not, I don’t blame you. If you are happy with the way you are doing things…then keep at it. I don’t know that the BAD actually made my reloads any FASTER…just a little more comfortable than using my trigger finger to find that paddle.
I don’t agree with either of you guys. You see people all the time at the range start to fumble with their manipulations as soon as stress starts to go up.
There’s a few factors that determine how much one can fumble, or what’ they’ll fumble at. Training, experience, level of proficiency, just to mention a few factors that can determine what, when and where one can fumble.
I’m way past the fumble stage in my life but I do know that sometimes, I have to use all my fingers to drop the bolt with my left hand, because the very end of my index finger can’t put that much weight behind it to drop the bolt. I can however depress the mag release with support hand finger with no issues, partly because it’s much lighter to press and get the desired result.
And yes in my previous post I should have been more clear, I don’t use my palm but I do put my fingers together to add surface area and a bit more weight behind the push. If that’s wrong, I’ve never had any of the big name instructors I’ve trained with correct me. But then again, it’s never really come up.
I’ll have to look into that. Sometimes being a lefty does suck, we have to train twice as hard to keep up with the righty gun setups.
I disagree. We don’t have to train any harder. We have to train differently. Learning a manipulation is learning a manipulation. Why should we have to go through more repetitions (or train harder) than the righties to gain muscle memory? We may be doing a different movement…but all you are doing is learning muscle memory.
I am always amused when we start down the path of a technique and then the dreaded “gross motor skills vs. fine motor skills” is brought up.
As someone has already mentioned almost everything you do- squeeze trigger, drop magazines, even clear malfunctions requires you to think and act. I’ll be so bold as to say that aiming down the sights before you pull the trigger on your target is a fine motor skill and it seems to be accomplished all the time.
As for the charging handle deal. I use it to load the weapon initially and to clear it when I am done. Never seen a need to insert a magazine, reach up, grasp the handle and then release it. It’s a waste of time and energy.
DoS advocates using the charging handle to ensure the magazine is fully seated. If the magazine is not seated properly, the bolt release can send the bolt foward on an empty chamber, using the charging handle will not. I’m not sure if I completely agree with that as a reason to do so, but it is a valid reason.
Uh; using the charging handle with a mag that isnt seated fully will send the bolt forward just the same as pressing the bolt release.
can’t run an ambi-charging handle latch?
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=31951/Product/AR-15-M16-AMBI-CHARGING-HANDLE-LATCH
I prefer this solution:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=27258/avs
Though not for the reasons this thread is focused on.
Personally, I vastly prefer a truly ambi weapon, which would make these threads much shorter in duration and frustration level.
I’ve tried both but didn’t feel either offered up anything better than the Vltor charging handles I currently use. F2S, imagine the frustration level for a lefty using some weapons.
I’ve been fortunate in that I was almost literally born with a gun my hands. There are very few systems that cannot be operated sufficiently by left handers. The issues arise when we push to the extreme levels of speed, competition, or personal improvement. The only systems I’ve really pushed to my limits are 1911’s, Glocks, and AR’s.
I look forward to the days coming of truly fully ambi weapons. For now the AR isn’t bad. With the addition of a Troy mag release and ambi safety lefties are not at any disadvantage with the AR’s. FWIW I tried both the Magpul and Troy BAD levers and as a lefty didn’t feel the offered me anything but an extra lever to hit and get in my way. The bolt release is the one area of the AR that is lefty friendly from the start.
not on our guns
This isn’t meant as any offense to any person or organization, but lowest common denominator training doesn’t interest me. I can give a gentle tug on the mag once I’ve inserted it and know that it’s seated properly. I can also do it while I’m driving the gun back to a shooting position and send the bolt forward as I’m finalizing my sight picture. When I say sight picture I mean my eyes, which were only diverted from the target long enough to make sure my mag is properly inserted, are back on the target and my sights are presented in front of my eyes. All I have to do is start taking the slack out of a trigger and make the final decision to shoot or not.
I’m not bashing on you dude, I know it’s not your technique.
DoS also doesn’t allow you to use the slide lock/release on the Glock either, but that doesn’t make it right. DoS can be rather clueless when it comes to firearms and policy.
A great big shining example of that is not allowing certified Glock armorers on DoS contracts to do more than what the operator level allows. In other words, not detailed field stripping, inspections or replacement of parts.
Or the fact that they require armorers to have certifications on all DoS approved and issued weapons, but they don’t even have the gages to inspect and check the weapons even though they explicitly state that you are to use the applicable TM or factory recommended maintenance as your guide.
I don’t see this as being valid. Also, correct me if I am wrong. The last time I shot a DoS pistol qual course, they didn’t allow personnel use a press check. Is that still the case?
I can easily insert magazine in my M4 and do a tug to ensure my magzine is seated. It’s not rocket science.
the AX556 lower, which is truly ambi, now gives me another option of dropping the bolt. some other ambi lowers have it as well - the right side bolt release. here’s a vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO33GSc1XBk
I’m with you on this, I get yelled at every time I slap the bolt release during quals. Just pointing out a reason since no one else could. DoS does allow & recommends press checks now for G19 & M4.
Lock bolt to rear.
Pull charging handle to rear and realease.
Bolt goes forward.
The same will happen with a magazine in any position within the mag well, filled or not, unless it is empty and fully seated.
The only time the CH will not return the bolt is when the magazine is empty and the follower is engaging the bolt catch. So, it is a slower technique with more failure points to help prevent those that manage to stuff an empty magazine into their gun from . . . getting the bolt to go forward.
And my PM with my FFL is inbound :D.
Seriously, I have been following that lower since I first heard about it, but getting up the nerve ($$$) to replace all my lowers with them is eluding me at present.
That AX556 is exactly what I need.
Are you guys running some kind of special AR? As F2S pointed out, the only time pulling the charging handle wont send the bolt forward is when an empty mag is fully seated.