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Posted: 4/25/2015 7:04:02 AM EDT
So my co-worker wants to build his first AR15. Unfortunately he's left handed.  We've already decided on a PSA 14.7" CHF 5.56 NATO 1:7 MID A2 PROFILE upper, a mag tactical blem striped lower, a brownells buffer tube asembly, stock TBD and a PSA LWPK.
We need advice on price conscious left handed or ambi controls. |
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As a lefty I have never found it a problem to handle a standard AR-15. But in 2010 I installed an ambidextrous safety and liked it well enough to put one on all my ARs. I find it just a little easier to use my thumb to switch from safe to semi. Still use my trigger finger to go back to safe from semi.
I have also tried an ambi mag release but didn't like it at all. Seemed cumbersome to use and slowed down my magazine changes. My favorite ambi safety is the BAD-CASS |
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Quoted:
As a lefty I have never found it a problem to handle a standard AR-15. But in 2010 I installed an ambidextrous safety and liked it well enough to put one on all my ARs. I find it just a little easier to use my thumb to switch from safe to semi. Still use my trigger finger to go back to safe from semi. I have also tried an ambi mag release but didn't like it at all. Seemed cumbersome to use and slowed down my magazine changes. My favorite ambi safety is the BAD-CASS Could you please explain the drop down menu system for that safety selector? Hybrid, end cap, etc.? I think this is exactly what we're looking for. |
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Could you please explain the drop down menu system for that safety selector? Hybrid, end cap, etc.? I think this is exactly what we're looking for. Quoted:
Quoted:
As a lefty I have never found it a problem to handle a standard AR-15. But in 2010 I installed an ambidextrous safety and liked it well enough to put one on all my ARs. I find it just a little easier to use my thumb to switch from safe to semi. Still use my trigger finger to go back to safe from semi. I have also tried an ambi mag release but didn't like it at all. Seemed cumbersome to use and slowed down my magazine changes. My favorite ambi safety is the BAD-CASS Could you please explain the drop down menu system for that safety selector? Hybrid, end cap, etc.? I think this is exactly what we're looking for. Look at the middle picture on that page. It shows all the different ambi selector options. |
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Do it right the first time, get the AXTS Raptor charging handle (available from many sources) and the AXTS Talon Safety Selector.
You don't really need a BAD Lever or other amb bolt release as its already on the left side...ambi bolt release/catch upgrades are strictly for the benefit of right-handers. There are enhanced bolt release/catches that help a bit. Strike Industries Bolt Catch While not really necessary, the Troy Ambi Mag Release is an option...I like it, but can live without it. An Aero upper without a forward assist may be desirable, I use these on all but one of my ARs. |
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Wtf is a bad lever going to do for a lefty. They are made for rightys. You can hit the bolt release with your finger. And it gets in the way of the ambi safety. I have no problems releasing the bolt by either slapping the side of the upper or hitting it with my finger.
I like the badass safety in the thick short levers, and norgon ambi catch. Charging handles are a bragging thing. I use the standard one fine. |
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BAD CASS or ASS safety - the CASS has dovetailed slots and is not as reliant on the screws staying put for function.
I run the standard lever on the right side of the rifle and a hybrid on the left (so it's nearly backwards compatible, but the safety doesn't get in the way of my trigger finger). Raptor charging handle is my other go-to. I haven't used a norgon on the serious concern that I'll need to buy half a dozen. Since your friend should be able to run the bolt release with his left hand index finger, any sort of extra tomfoolery there is unnecessary. |
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Only things that really help in my experience are an ambi safety and ambi charging handle. Don't bother with a gimmicky left handed upper (I'm looking at you Stag) and also don't fuck with the magazine release nor a BAD lever.
What I do for mag changes as a lefty is: Bring my support hand (right hand) up to the front of the receiver in a "beer can" grip, simultaneously wrapping my fingers around the mag while pressing on the mag release with my thumb. Forcefully rip the mag out, then locate a new mag and insert as usual. It's a couple milliseconds slower than a regular-side mag change would be, but this does have the benefit of forcefully ripping the mag out and not just relying on gravity. For manipulating the bolt catch, I find that I'm able to hit it very solidly with the index finger of my trigger (left) hand. That being said I do have abnormally large hands so this may not work for everyone. |
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I shoot lefty and used standard controls for a long time and only recently installed ambi safety selectors. The bolt release operates fine with my left hand and hit the mag release with my right thumb with a fresh mag in my hand. Personally I like having muscle memory with standard controls that way any standard AR I pick up is familiar.
Edit: ... and the ambi charging handle is nice to have too. |
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~snip Don't bother with a gimmicky left handed upper ~snip Whats gimmicky about it? The RRA LEF-T is absolutely left handed, and works great. It's not like the DPMS lefty rifles where the port door flips up. Everything about it is geared toward a left handed shooter. The only thing the rifle is missing is the left handed bolt catch. Which is easy enough to get, and install. Seriously; am I the only dipshit that bought a RRA LEF-T rifle? No one else can chime in here? |
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Personally for left-handed parts I'd say an ambidextrous selector switch and an ambidextrous charging handle are all you need. Magazine release is fine as is, just don't expect to do too much of that fancy tacti-cool stuff when it comes to reloads, and the bolt release is not a major issue, at most just get a larger bolt release so its easier for your trigger finger to disengage it.
For the ambi selector I'm running a Troy Industries Ambidextrous Safety Selector, which has worked great for me, and for a charging handle I'm looking into buying a Raptor AXTS charging handle, which so far has gotten tons of great reviews, even if it is considered rather pricey. If you need something less expensive, look at the BCM Gunfighter Ambidextrous Charging Handle, though to be honest its not much of a price difference, since most of the well received ambi charging handles range anywhere from $60-$90. |
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Quoted: I've been shooting ARs left-handed for 25 years without any lefty-specific parts. What am I missing? Aside from an ambi safety, I don't see how useful the other parts would be. Although I don't see the value in getting a left handed upper, I see a lot of value for a southpaw when it comes to an ambi charging handle and magazine release. These parts, along with the ambi safety, makes it easier to manipulate (sorry for the tacticool word) the weapon. I have a Raptor charging handle, Norgon mag release, and BAD-CASS safety on all of my ARs. |
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Whats gimmicky about it? The RRA LEF-T is absolutely left handed, and works great. It's not like the DPMS lefty rifles where the port door flips up. Everything about it is geared toward a left handed shooter. The only thing the rifle is missing is the left handed bolt catch. Which is easy enough to get, and install. Seriously; am I the only dipshit that bought a RRA LEF-T rifle? No one else can chime in here? Quoted:
Quoted:
~snip Don't bother with a gimmicky left handed upper ~snip Whats gimmicky about it? The RRA LEF-T is absolutely left handed, and works great. It's not like the DPMS lefty rifles where the port door flips up. Everything about it is geared toward a left handed shooter. The only thing the rifle is missing is the left handed bolt catch. Which is easy enough to get, and install. Seriously; am I the only dipshit that bought a RRA LEF-T rifle? No one else can chime in here? I also have a LefT Rock River. Great gun right out of the box, everything functions nice and smooth. However, like most people, one AR isn't enough and I have found myself putting together quite a few different right handed AR's. I don't mind brass flying in front of my face and like the fact that I can see right in the port if a shell jams. I have quite a few Norgon ambi mag releases and never drop a mag from the left, so money wasted there, Ambi safety and charging handles are where it's at. Those two items are all I decided are "must haves". The Bad Ass setup for the safety allows you to pick three levers in one of the kits. I get the end cap, short thin and a standard. End cap on the left if it is just for me or the short thin if I want it to be ambi friendly. Raptor charging handles are one of the tops. |
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Wtf is a bad lever going to do for a lefty. They are made for rightys. You can hit the bolt release with your finger. And it gets in the way of the ambi safety. I imagine that it allows a lefty to release the bolt with the thumb of their reloading hand, analogous to how a righty would do. Definitely nicer than releasing your grip with your strong hand and stretching to hit the standard left sided bolt release with your index finger, at least with my small hands. I think it goes something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWUsiX1BxuE I'm also not sure how the bad lever would get in the way of an ambi safety? |
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I imagine that it allows a lefty to release the bolt with the thumb of their reloading hand, analogous to how a righty would do. Definitely nicer than releasing your grip with your strong hand and stretching to hit the standard left sided bolt release with your index finger, at least with my small hands. I think it goes something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWUsiX1BxuE I'm also not sure how the bad lever would get in the way of an ambi safety? Quoted:
Quoted:
Wtf is a bad lever going to do for a lefty. They are made for rightys. You can hit the bolt release with your finger. And it gets in the way of the ambi safety. I imagine that it allows a lefty to release the bolt with the thumb of their reloading hand, analogous to how a righty would do. Definitely nicer than releasing your grip with your strong hand and stretching to hit the standard left sided bolt release with your index finger, at least with my small hands. I think it goes something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWUsiX1BxuE I'm also not sure how the bad lever would get in the way of an ambi safety? This! Bolt Lock reloads are exponentially faster for a lefty with the BAD lever. |
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Quoted:
I imagine that it allows a lefty to release the bolt with the thumb of their reloading hand, analogous to how a righty would do. Definitely nicer than releasing your grip with your strong hand and stretching to hit the standard left sided bolt release with your index finger, at least with my small hands. I think it goes something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWUsiX1BxuE I'm also not sure how the bad lever would get in the way of an ambi safety? Quoted:
Quoted:
Wtf is a bad lever going to do for a lefty. They are made for rightys. You can hit the bolt release with your finger. And it gets in the way of the ambi safety. I imagine that it allows a lefty to release the bolt with the thumb of their reloading hand, analogous to how a righty would do. Definitely nicer than releasing your grip with your strong hand and stretching to hit the standard left sided bolt release with your index finger, at least with my small hands. I think it goes something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWUsiX1BxuE I'm also not sure how the bad lever would get in the way of an ambi safety? Sorry I meant ambi mag release. 
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I ran a BAD lever for a while, really didn't find any reason to keep it on the rifle as a lefty shooter - as already mentioned it's great for a RH shooter though. I'm right handed, left eye dominant, shoot lefty most of the time - pretty much standard on all my builds are the Raptor CH, Norgon Ambi Mag Release, Seekins Bolt Catch, and Battle Arms Ambi Short Throw Safety. Certainly adds some $$ to you build price, though, close to $300 just for those parts alone. I've recently purchased a few Forward Designs smoothed FA's - probably not a necessity but nice if you catch fingers/nails on the FA when using an ambi CH. My buddy is a true LH, went one step futher and bought a Stag LH rifle, bascially a mirror image of the standard AR15. Fun to shoot, but limited choices. |
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Quoted:
As a lefty I have never found it a problem to handle a standard AR-15. Quoted:
I'm so used to shooting firearms that aren't designed for left handed users. In some cases it's to my advantage. Quoted:
Don't bother with a gimmicky left handed upper (I'm looking at you Stag) and also don't fuck with the magazine release nor a BAD lever. Quoted:
I am full blown lefty and have never had a problem with standard controls. Quoted:
I've been shooting ARs left-handed for 25 years without any lefty-specific parts. What am I missing? Aside from an ambi safety, I don't see how useful the other parts would be. ...and thats all I have to say about that! Just leave it "normal." |
| I could see owning a lefty upper if I had a suppressor for my rifle. Finslayer83's YHM can blows a bunch of hot, sooty, oil in my face when I shoot his SBR. A 12.5" barrel plus the can makes for a lot of port pressure, much of which vents right into my face. He also runs his rifles very wet, so they sling a lot of oil even without the suppressor. |
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