Ambi Safeties and Tactical Latches on Patrol Rifles

[Line Rider]

I just finished a three day patrol rifle course at our regional police academy. The instructor covered a lot of deploying to rifle from the car in Condition 2going to Condition 1 to the prone position. He also covered a good bit of weak handed shooting and shooting from barricage. Two of the item he was big on were Ambi Safety and Tactical Latches.

I saw one guy with an Ambi Safety on his AR, but he saw a south paw. ( This guy was also right eye dominate, but damn could he shoot.) And, one other guy had a Tactical Latch on his personal gun for 3 gun matches.

My question is are these two items worth the money to add to my AR , or are they just tacticool toys? I'm right eye and right handed shooter.

Thanks

[Stickman]

I don't run an ambi-safety on my duty weapon as I don't like its feel on the other side. However, that may simply be a training issue or something that would grow on me. I do use the PRI latch, and I feel that it works well for me. Other latches stick out farther, I aren't something I would consider. I don't like the idea of pulling the weapon out of battery because of a large latch catching on things.

Again, thats my take on it for my duty weapon.


ETA- PRI latch pic.

http://stickman.rainierarms.com/galleries/AR15%20Carbines%20II/IMG_4269%20Stick.jpg

[xm15]

I can't speak of the abi-safety, but the tac latch has been very helpfull to me for a couple of reasons.
failure, with an optic or not it is quicker and easier for me to clear the chamber.

optics, glass in the way of CH I can just get on the side and charge.

press check, easier.

but of course this is for me and some may not like it.
but these can be had in a few different styles for about $18 and up.

I like Badger's tac latch it is larger, square and I have not had it catch on anything transitioning nor digging into me, but I think stick said he has had both happen to him.

try it. it's relatively cheap.

http://www.badgerordnance.com/productgroup.php?id=latch

[rob_s]

I also use the PRI, and upgrade to the Gasbuster (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=GBCH&reference=/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3D%26searchstart%3D0%26template%3DPDGCommTemplates/FullNav/SearchResult.html%26category%3DPRIN) if the rifle is intended to host a suppressor.

[DocGKR]

The PRI latch is a good thing--much more so than some of the larger, less robust "tactical latches". I have less need for an ambi safety, as I can easily manipulate the standard one when shooting left handed.

[Dano5326]

I have (modified) ambi safeties installed on my F/A carbines. I find it much faster/easier to rotate between F/A & semi with the knuckle of my trigger finger.

Modified by grinding, rounding & smoothing, off the R side lever to where it is even with the grip-reciever seam.

Have also mod'd some similar to the KAC ambi selector(ramp profile... see their PDW selector) by leaving it the same length, but grinding the majority of the bulk off the end. I prefer the above mentioned mod.

As for the Ambi-Realease, I simply use my R thumb to release the mag when shooting Lefty & don't trust the unprotected mag release, on the left side of a carbine, bouncing of my gear.

The oversize "tactical" CH levers can put your wep out of battery, bouncing off your kit, if your not careful. I would use no larger than the PRI product.

[Skintop911]

Standard charging handle and selector here. I used to run the Badger Ordnance units, but like others, found a need for something smaller.

[John Hearne]

When I took Louis Awerbuck's carbine class, he thought the AR-15/M-16 system really needed two things: an ambidextrious selector/safety and an enlarged charging handle. His preferred method for running the charging handle was the palm of the support hand, the extended latch made it much easier. If that's the way you like to cycle the bolt then it makes a lot of sense.

As far as the ambi safety/selector, I have mixed feelings. I've worked the gun a fair bit on my support side and have never had any problems running the safety after some practice.

[toddackerman]

I also use the PRI, and upgrade to the Gasbuster (http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=GBCH&reference=/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3D%26searchstart%3D0%26template%3DPDGCommTemplates/FullNav/SearchResult.html%26category%3DPRIN) if the rifle is intended to host a suppressor.

+1 on the PRI Latch. Not too big...not too small. Just right!

aTack

[Lumpy196]

Ive always found the standard right handed AR safety pretty easy to manipulate with the base of my left index finger.

I have no need for a lefty safety, nor can I use one on my work gun.

[Don Robison]

Ive always found the standard right handed AR safety pretty easy to manipulate with the base of my left index finger.

I have no need for a lefty safety, nor can I use one on my work gun.


Same here.
The only time I've used a gun with a tac latch it was a Badger Ord. on a buddies gun and I didn't care for it.

[Lumpy196]

Well Im a BIG fan of the PRI latch :D

[KevinB]

+1 for the the PRI Big Latch -- I usually just go whole hog for the GasBuster as its a bit beefier. Anything bigger and it gets caught in your gear. We had an issued "Tactical Latch" - it led to bent charging handles, damaged uppers (the constant clicking of it on the receiver will eat the lock notch) and weapons charged at inappropriate time or forced out of battery when they should have been charged.

As a righty I find that the ambi-selector gets in the way when I am rotating the weapon from safe to semi and moving my finger to the trigger - unless one gets a skeleton verions (like what Dano refers too).

I use a redi-mag when I can and the GenII and BFG versions make the ambi mag release functional. I have a Norgon Ambi-Catch in a carbine at home -- we had them issued - and had a lot of problems - inc several mags being knocked out during firefights. Won't catch me with one in a work gun.

[jenec]

As stated by others above.... the ambi safety gets in the way of your trigger finger. I also thought this might be a good idea after attending a patol rifle class.... and I installed one. I quickly found that with a grip on the rifle, my finger out of the trigger guard, and as I tried to thumb the safety off, my trigger finger on the opposite side was in the way. As for the tac-latch.... I had the Badger ordinance one also. I found that the extra extension got in the way. Unless you are shooting a scope which interfers with grabbing the stock charging handle, stay with the stock. Under stress, I was still able to grab my rifle and use my off hand to rack the charging handle back to chamber a round,

[Blankwaffe]

I like the ambi safety as it allows me to operate the safety more easily when shooting from weak side.One other thing to consider is your selection of a tac sling.Make sure it allows for easy transition without resistance.
As for the tac latches,I really dont care for them.Ive seen a few fellas using them accidentally snag the latch during carry/use and pull the bolt out of battery.A scoped weapon may be different for some,but my SPR scope is not mounted low enough to cause me issues with operation of the CH.
Personally I try and keep my rifle as snag free as possible.Which is another reason I dont care for vertical grips on the forend either.
But I guess Im old school as I have no use for a fully loaded weapon covered with all the latest and greatest tactical gadgets some folks like to add to a rifle.Especially weapon lights....which do make mighty fine targets in the end.