Full-fledged ambi lower or swap a few parts?

[IrishCannon]

I've trained extensively on RH weapons for a long time but I've lately wanted to throw together a few things catered to me.

One of my AKs is setup
New Glock is setup.

Now I'm looking to do an AR pistol which I've never owned.

I've narrowed to two main options...

POF USA GEN4 P415 ambi pistol lower and then probably tossing on whatever upper I settle on. https://www.cflgunandtactical.com/pof-usa-gen-4-P415-complete-pistol-lower-p/01272p.htm

...or this $500 shindig from PSA and swapping the selector for $30, throwing on a sling and light and call it good. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...tr-classic-stealth-pistol-w-carry-handle.html

I fully understand the differences in quality between something like a POF or DD or LMT and then PSA...but $600 complete sounds like a pretty reasonable way to determine if I want to dump a bunch into the AR pistol thing.

Thoughts?

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[Derek8404]

I shoot rifles lefty and the first thing I do to every AR is a radian Talon and Raptor combo. Makes a huge difference for me.

 

[IrishCannon]

I shoot rifles lefty and the first thing I do to every AR is a radian Talon and Raptor combo. Makes a huge difference for me.

In your experience, are the fully ambi lowers not a cost effective purchase?

Do you.modify the mag release at all?

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[Bigdave0924]

I know this isn’t what you asked, but if I was looking for an ambi lower I’d get one of the silencerco lowers.

 

[IrishCannon]

I know this isn’t what you asked, but if I was looking for an ambi lower I’d get one of the silencerco lowers.

I'm open to all suggestions, but that's kinda the question: are ambi lowers worth the added cost vs just changing out a few parts?

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[Bigdave0924]

I'm open to all suggestions, but that's kinda the question: are ambi lowers worth the added cost vs just changing out a few parts?

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This is strictly my opinion but, just about anything built from the ground up to be something will be better than adding parts to make something, something that it’s not. If I was hung up on an having a purpose built ambi rifle I would start with a ambi lower. Is it worth it to you? I can’t answer that.

 

[IrishCannon]

This is strictly my opinion but, just about anything built from the ground up to be something will be better than adding parts to make something, something that it’s not. If I was hung up on an having a purpose built ambi rifle I would start with a ambi lower. Is it worth it to you? I can’t answer that.

My concern has always been parts availability. Aren't purpose built ambi-lowers designed within their own specs/tolerances? As in standard mil-spec parts will not work in many instances, correct?

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[Derek8404]

In your experience, are the fully ambi lowers not a cost effective purchase?

Do you.modify the mag release at all?

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I’ve played with a few fully ambi lowers but never owned one, but I don’t think I would ever get one. I have no issues using my right hand to hit the mag release.

 

[Desolo]

The only thing I find irritating about ar's is the bolt catch release....

Magazine release, safety, charging handle, those have available solutions that are freely interchangeable with normal parts.

But not the bolt release... No I dont count the "BAD" lever type things. People seem to have many issues with those...

The only thing Ive seen that would fall in like with my "I like spare parts availability" mindset that would work for a lefty is the PDQ bolt release.

The "catch" ( hahahaha... I made a pun lol) is that one would have to modify the lower by extending the bolt catch cut to the other side.

Ive thought about it, but haven't done it. Doesnt sound to hard actually.

https://www.roninarmorer.com/product/pdq-ambi-bolt-release/ < this is what im talking about, if you look at the part its obvious how it would install.

 

[jdgiii]

I’m a lefty as well and have considered a proprietary ambi lower in the past. I’ve settled on a setup that suits me using standard lowers.

-BCM or Radian ambi ch
- Troy ambi mag release
- radian ambi selector.

My hands are large enough that I can reach the bolt catch with my trigger finger but if it wasn’t something like the Geisselle maritime bolt catch might be an option.

I think the proprietary lowers are cool, but I like that by using a standard lower I have the option of changing components as new designs are presented. Or returning it to stock if need be.

That PSA pistol looks sweet by the way.


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[IrishCannon]

I think I'm gonna take a few recommendations from here and go with a standard complete Aero pistol lower, SBA3 brace from whoever is cheaper, a Radian Ambi selector and CH, Toolcraft BCG and then spend some serious time contemplating what upper to get.

Stuck between BCM, Aero and a CHF PSA. I'm not even sure what a CHF BCM would run, and I don't see any from Aero.

That $500 pistol is still tempting but man, idk about the quality of it. Hard to say. It's a great deal but....

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[Pineapple]

I think I'm gonna take a few recommendations from here and go with a standard complete Aero pistol lower, SBA3 brace from whoever is cheaper, a Radian Ambi selector and CH, Toolcraft BCG and then spend some serious time contemplating what upper to get.

Stuck between BCM, Aero and a CHF PSA. I'm not even sure what a CHF BCM would run, and I don't see any from Aero.

That $500 pistol is still tempting but man, idk about the quality of it. Hard to say. It's a great deal but....

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What size upper?

I saw one last week, I cannot find the ad or link yet. May have been a LMT 10.5" with the fsb. Killing me that I can't find it.
I'll keep looking.

I settled on 11.5" for both of mine if that helps. Colt Commando for the cool look and a Barnes 11.5". Very happy with both.

@JRHorne is the ambi lower guy and can sniff out deals for nice quality uppers.

 

[IrishCannon]

What size upper?

I saw one last week, I cannot find the ad or link yet. May have been a LMT 10.5" with the fsb. Killing me that I can't find it.
I'll keep looking.

I settled on 11.5" for both of mine if that helps. Colt Commando for the cool look and a Barnes 11.5". Very happy with both.

@JRHorne is the ambi lower guy and can sniff out deals for nice quality uppers.

10.5" or 11.5" - I'm kind of indifferent between the two.

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[InertOrd13]

I am a big fan of a purpose built ambi lower. I have a handful of LMT ambi 5.56 and 7.62 lowers and prefer them to my semi ambi aero lower (just ambi safety). Ambi safeties are easy to change but I have seen mixed results with after market ambi mag releases. I do actually use the ambi bolt release on my LMT lowers and tried to replicate it with a bad lever on the aero lower but, like stated earlier, that had lack luster results.

 

[IrishCannon]

I am a big fan of a purpose built ambi lower. I have a handful of LMT ambi 5.56 and 7.62 lowers and prefer them to my semi ambi aero lower (just ambi safety). Ambi safeties are easy to change but I have seen mixed results with after market ambi mag releases. I do actually use the ambi bolt release on my LMT lowers and tried to replicate it with a bad lever on the aero lower but, like stated earlier, that had lack luster results.

Thanks for the input. - Out of curiosity...the Aero ambi lower is out of stock, but if it was available, does it require proprietary parts? That's what I don't fully understand is what's required for a purpose-built ambi stripped lower. I know most of them come with mag catches installed, but as far as other stuff like selectors I've seen people say standard selectors are too short, etc.

 

[InertOrd13]

Thanks for the input. - Out of curiosity...the Aero ambi lower is out of stock, but if it was available, does it require proprietary parts? That's what I don't fully understand is what's required for a purpose-built ambi stripped lower. I know most of them come with mag catches installed, but as far as other stuff like selectors I've seen people say standard selectors are

Looking at aero's ambi lower the only proprietary part is the ambi bolt catch. You would need to buy an ambi safety and an ambi mag release. Lots of companies make ambi safeties but there are only a handful of companies that make ambi mag releases. I think strike industries, KAC, norgan (spelling?) , and aim surplus have some ambi mag releases that work with any lower.

 

[Desolo]

Looking at aero's ambi lower the only proprietary part is the ambi bolt catch. You would need to buy an ambi safety and an ambi mag release. Lots of companies make ambi safeties but there are only a handful of companies that make ambi mag releases. I think strike industries, KAC, norgan (spelling?) , and aim surplus have some ambi mag releases that work with any lower.

Sig Also sells one (an ambi mag release) that is workable on a standard lower.

 

[Clicker]

Forward Controls Design offers the EMR-A along with their ASF selector. FCD manufactures what is arguably some of the best stuff out there.
FCD lower goodies

 

[IrishCannon]

Forward Controls Design offers the EMR-A along with their ASF selector. FCD manufactures what is arguably some of the best stuff out there.
FCD lower goodies

Ya they have some really nice stuff. - I had another thread running regarding my build and where to put the money....ultimately I opted for an Aero M4E1 lower and got BCM Ambi selector and BCM 4x4 (Medium) Ambi CH. I think it would be in my best interest to not get super comfortable with Ambi controls as I want to be able to effectively operate any weapon in standard configuration. I'll probably leave the rest as is.

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