AR-15s are one of the most adaptable rifle platforms ever designed, making them a solid jack of all trades that can be configured to fit multiple applications. However, for much of this rifle’s lifespan, one facet that’s held it back has been its strong preference for right-handed operation. The AR-15’s controls, like the safety selector, magazine release, and charging handle, were designed for right-handed users.
While this worked in its early stages of development, since most of the population is right-handed and it standardized manufacturing processes, in the modern firearms landscape, there’s a far greater demand for ambidexterity. Even though the mil-spec AR-15 receiver design is still the standard in the industry, the advances in AR-15 manufacturing have paved the way for updated components and differing receiver designs that allow new ARs to feature such controls.
Understanding Ambidexterity
Although most people are right-handed, there’s still a significant amount who aren’t, which poses some challenges since the vast majority of firearms are designed specifically with right-handed use in mind. As such, standard AR-15 rifles with mil-spec components can be difficult to use since the core controls of the rifle aren’t designed for left-, or off-handed use.
This is where ambidextrous components come into play. They not only provide you with access to your rifle’s controls, regardless of your dexterity, but they also provide you with a lot more utility. Take a more dynamic scenario like competitive shooting for instance. If you’re behind a barricade or need to hit a target from a weird position/angle, you can switch to your off-hand and still retain access to all your rifle’s controls. So regardless of your dexterity, all enthusiasts can benefit from using ambi controls.
Understanding Ambidextrous AR-15 Components
Ambidextrous Charging Handles
As far as the AR’s controls are concerned, the charging handle is one of the most crucial, being necessary to rack the bolt when loading/unloading the rifle, and for clearing malfunctions. The standard mil-spec charging handle is effective and features a rather simplistic design having a compact form-factor with one locking latch on the left handle wing. While these work, their smaller size and singular latch wing don’t offer the most purchase for making a quick ejection under stress.
Ambi charging handle options shine in this regard, and they’ve become one of the most popular charging handle options on the market. Coming with dual latch wings that are often extended, they’re much easier to operate compared to mil-spec options. Moreover, if you opt for a model with extended latch wings, it’ll be much easier to perform one handed charging if needed.
Also, some ambi charging handle options can come with gas shelves, or other gas deflecting designs which block or divert any gas blowback from shooting suppressed. We go more in-depth into them in our guide to AR-15 charging handles, and they’re worth looking into if you plan to add a suppressor to your rig.
Ambidextrous Magazine Release
The magazine release is another incredibly vital component—one that can greatly affect how you reload. Like with charging handles, the mil-spec option is suitable, but the smaller surface area of the release button makes it easy to miss in high-stress scenarios, and if you’re left-handed, it isn’t the easiest to use.
Ambidextrous magazine releases can vary depending on the manufacturer and the lower receiver they’re designed for. Although they’re primarily used on billet and select ambi forged lowers, specialized ambi mag releases are still available for mil-spec lowers. Whereas the standard magazine release uses a catch bar and spring that thread into the release button, ambidextrous models are similar but have an extra hinge point and button on the catch bar that allows the mag release to be actuated on the left side. Brands like Strike Industries and Forward Controls Design both offer some solid ambidextrous AR-15 magazine release options that can fit into mil-spec receivers with no issue.
As we mentioned, it’s important to note that select billet lowers can come pre-equipped with proprietary ambi magazine releases, but we’ll go further in-depth on them later.
Ambidextrous Safety Selectors
Traditional mil-spec safety selectors are made so that there’s a single lever on the left side of the receiver. For righties, this is perfect because your thumb is right next to the lever, allowing you to easily switch between safe and fire. For lefties, this isn’t the case—as their design makes it borderline impossible to actuate unless you shift your grip, making ambidextrous safeties a solid upgrade.
Ambidextrous safeties have selector levers on both sides of the receiver, and their designs can vary from model to model. Functionally though, they work the same and allow you to engage the safety, regardless of your shooting position or dexterity, making them useful in more dynamic applications. Upgraded safety selectors have become incredibly popular, so much so that they’re often included on more premium AR-15s.
Some options even come with a shorter throw too. Normally, safety selectors come with a 90° throw but select models can come with a shorter 45° throw, allowing you to engage/disengage the safety much quicker. Standard 90° selectors aren’t slow by any means, but their 45° counterparts have much less travel, and in competitive carbine courses or duty settings where time is of the essence and stress is high, the faster engagement speed they offer can be incredibly beneficial.
Ambidextrous Lower Receivers
If ambidexterity is one of your top priorities, you should consider using an ambidextrous lower receiver in your next build. While mil-spec lowers can be equipped with specialized components that make them ambidextrous, because they weren’t originally designed to house such parts, manufacturers must work around the confines of their design, which can, at times, leave something to be desired in terms of overall utility.
Ambidextrous lower receivers don’t have this issue, as they’re designed to accommodate such components. Many of the ambidextrous lowers that are available are going to be made from billet aluminum instead of forged, allowing manufacturers to more easily accommodate more unique designs and proprietary ambidextrous components. For example, brands like Sons of Liberty Gun Works, American Defense Manufacturing, and Radian Weapons are among the more prominent ambi lower receiver manufacturers, with them each using billet lowers to use their own specific components.
Although most ambi lowers are billet, it’s still possible to have an ambi lower that’s made from forged aluminum. Comparatively, there aren’t as many, but manufacturers like Lewis Machine & Tool, Daniel Defense, and Knights Armament Company each produce forged ambi lowers. However, of the three, LMT and KAC are the only ones making stripped and assembled forged ambi lowers, with DD’s options only being offered on their complete rifles. Still, they make for a great possibility if you prefer forged lowers over billet.
Advantages of Ambidextrous AR-15s
If you’re upgrading your AR-15 to gain some extra utility out of your rifle, adding ambidextrous components can significantly improve your rifle’s adaptability and the way it handles. Aside from being better for lefties, the sheer amount of flexibility ambidextrous components offer is incredible for enthusiasts of all dexterities.
Ultimately, opting for ambidextrous lower receivers and components is an incredible option to consider. That said, the number of choices to pick from can be quite daunting at times. Fortunately, our AR-15 accessories guide focuses on what you should consider whenever you’re upgrading your rifle.
Conclusion
The AR-15’s versatility has long been one of the platform’s most appealing features, and with the addition of modern manufacturing practices and specialized ambidextrous components, its adaptability has further expanded to offer every enthusiast with a comfortable, utilitarian shooting experience.
Ambidextrous components truly improve your rifle’s manual of arms, allowing you to easily switch from your dominant hand to your off hand while keeping access to all your rifle’s core controls. For competitions, duty, and defensive training where you may need to use an unconventional shooting position or switch to your off hand, it’s incredibly useful to have access to your rifle’s core controls. Likewise, if you’re left-handed, such parts simply make for a more comfortable shooting experience.
At the end of the day, regardless of your intended use or dexterity, you can easily benefit from the adaptability that ambidextrous components provide. Plus, with the wide array of various parts and accessories available for the AR-15, you’ll be able to easily tailor your rifle to your own personal specifications. If you’re in need of some inspiration for your next build, our article featuring the Artemis lightweight 6.5 Creedmoor precision rifle build offers some solid insight into what all is possible with the AR platform.
