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apostate wrote: ↑Wed Jun 13, 2018 7:31 pm

MadMonkey wrote: ↑Wed Jun 13, 2018 1:05 pm Or the Redi Catch, which allows you to use the actual magazine release to lock the bolt back:

But not to release the bolt, if it works like I imagine.

No, not to release. But I rarely use the BAD lever for that purpose anyway, 90% of the time I just use it to lock the bolt back since the thumb falls naturally to press the bolt catch after reloading.

Locking the bolt back, especially during training, malfunctions or competition, is where the BAD lever really shines because it makes things a little less awkward (especially at ranges which frown on raising the muzzle above the berm, I see a LOT of people struggle with that rule).

Whether that's a big enough benefit to purchase and install one is up to the individual. If you're a top-tier competition shooter or door kicker, you might gain some speed using it to release the bolt, but for 99% of us a simple oversized bolt catch will be the better idea. Even a stock one if you want to do that boring practice thing

EDIT: Speaking of oversized, one thing to watch for is that the BAD lever gives a somewhat larger surface area to bump into, so when your rifle is slung it's a little easier to accidentally release the bolt. Just something to be mindful of... probably only an issue when training or competing, since an HD rifle or fighting rifle is hopefully going to have the bolt closed on a loaded chamber.

I have a few of these.

I'm completely against things like Serpa holsters that require a press with the trigger finger to release. I have my own experience with that and nothing will change my mind (no ND, but I was instantly converted on my thinking about it).

The BAD lever, on the other hand, is designed to swept downward to release the bolt. That's why it has texturing on the top and bottom, not on the side. The finger should never enter the trigger guard during proper use. It should not ever be used like a magazine release button. (EDIT: it is claimed that Serpas are meant to be operated in the same way, but due to differences in handgun design, some do and some do not)

THAT BEING SAID.

Every AR is slightly different, even milspec ones. Every person is different. Every bolt catch may not be exactly the same. People have different length fingers. Tolerances may be different from gun to gun. A part that works great in 95% of ARs might cause failures in specific models.

If you're going to use a part like this, make absolutely sure that it works for you, and don't install it based on someone else's experience.

In some guns, a BAD lever can cause the bolt to lock back before the mag is empty, or even drop the bolt during a reload.

Some people have shorter fingers, and using a BAD lever can cause their finger to float above the trigger guard... under stress, it's easy for that finger to snap back to the trigger.

Some people have large fingers, and the BAD lever crowds the area in the trigger guard and is uncomfortable (same with gloves, especially in winter).

Etc.

None of the above have been a problem for me through thousands of rounds. That doesn't mean someone else might not have issues.

I've gone back and forth on them several times. Partly because I like keeping my controls as simple and close to stock as possible, but I currently can't live without 60 degree ambi selectors, so if I'm already modifying I might as well keep 'em

Also, there are alternatives, like the Smith Tactics Battle Bar, which is closer to pistol controls:





Or the Redi Catch, which allows you to use the actual magazine release to lock the bolt back:



I'm going to test both of these in the future, most likely. Speaking of which, if you change a part in your gun, USE IT and make sure that it works. I'm not comfortable having an HD gun with untested parts.