Your preferre drop in AR ambi mag catch? [Archive]

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TED

07-28-20, 04:39

I'm familiar with the Norgon as I had some back in the day when they first came out.

I'm familiar with the Troy as there is one on my Lage M11 5.56 upper. I've heard concerns about if pivoting on and wearing the outside of the receiver. However, as far as I can tel this is primarily a cosmetic issue. If it is really jsut cosmetic then I'm not too worried about it.

I also see that there is one by strike but I know nothing about it.

It looks like there is one by battle steel as well again I know nothing about this one.

What are your suggestions and why?

Thanks.

TED

JediGuy

07-28-20, 06:18

BattleSteel is a Norgon clone manufacturered less consistently. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Norgon design, but there was nothing wrong with the actual BattleSteel item. I’ve been tempted to try this out again recently.

I’ve had the Sig M400 version, as it previously could be purchased at OpticsPlanet. It’s a great cheapest option, but not as “clean” as others.

I use a Troy currently, and it may remain my favorite. The pin walked out just a tiny bit, so I used a punch to push it back. No problems since.

The Forward Controls Design EMR-A is by far the most well thought out and manufactured I’ve had so far. I don’t have any actual use with it yet, as it was not compatible with the 308 lower I was going to use it with. So, I can’t compare it fairly regarding actual function, but others speak very highly.

I am used to the Troy Amb release/Geissele Maritime bolt catch combo currently, so I’m loathe to even try out the EMR-A on my go-to rifle. Just saving for another lower build should one be needed.

Note: though I don’t think the actual “finger position” of the mag release is my favorite, the overall design and other benefits of the LMT MARS-L lower is far and away a better option than adding on ambi features to a traditional lower, if you can swing it.

Finally, there is at least one very good, thorough thread on this. I would suggest searching.

VLODPG

07-28-20, 06:58

I use Norgon only due to the fact that I got them from the company I worked for which used them as an OEM part.

They do what they were designed to and haven't failed me so I have no reason to change to something else.

Edit: Also very low profile, almost like it's not there but it is!

Renegade04

07-28-20, 07:11

I recently installed one of the Forward Controls ambi-mag releases. Impressed so far.

https://i.imgur.com/rVXVKyf.jpg

HCrum87hc

07-28-20, 07:55

I'd recommend the Forward Controls Design EMR-A as well. FCD parts are all well thought out and designed and built to last. They just work, and they work well.

seb5

07-28-20, 08:14

I've used all of them and the one I used for over a decade was the Troy. I've been using the forward Controls lately and may slowly switch all of mine to that model.

jdgiii

07-28-20, 10:12

I have the troy on all 3 of my lowers. No issues

m1a_scoutguy

07-28-20, 11:52

I have used the Norgon for years,& moved it to multiple rifles, it has always worked fine for me. I have no experience with newer models or designs but have been looking at the Arms Unlimited Model, it appears to be a Norgon Clone. https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/magazine-parts/magazine-releases/ar-15-ambidextrous-magazine-release-prod114343.aspx The FCD does look like a great option. The Strike Industries looks interesting but I have not tried one yet.

TED

07-28-20, 13:33

I'm actually thinking against the troy because I do want to standardize this on more than one lower and use this in one of my GWACS lowers which of course are polymer and if the part is metal and it pivots on the receiver it may over time gouge out the polymer and then not work. Also, though I have no evidence of this, I wonder if the troy would even work on a gwacs lower as the thickness of the polymer may sit higher and cause a potential issue.

JediGuy

07-28-20, 13:38

The only option that does not pivot on the upper is the Norgon and clones.

Diamondback

07-28-20, 13:53

titsonritz

07-28-20, 14:13

Here's a thread I started a while back on the subject.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?179262-Ambi-mag-Catch-Release&p=2251423#post2251423

FCD EMR-A for the win.

m1a_scoutguy

07-28-20, 15:31

Thought I heard that AU had bought or licensed the Norgon patent.

Here's a thread I started a while back on the subject.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?179262-Ambi-mag-Catch-Release&p=2251423#post2251423

FCD EMR-A for the win.

When I 1st saw them I went dam,they look just like the Norgon,guess we know why now ! I have 2 ordered now and should have them this week for my next 2 lowers. I have been looking hard @ the FCD,just looking @ $70 bucks plus shipping is hard to swallow,but as they say,buy once cry once ! The FCD does look pretty bad-ass though and I'm sure it works as advertised !

Steve-0-

07-28-20, 16:14

Ive had experiance with almost all of them and prior to Roger releasing the EMR-A, my preffered was KAC. The Norgon is too still, imo and the troy is OK.

Pickup and EMR-A from Forward Controls and youll be happy. Its the perfect balance between the Norgon and KAC

26 Inf

07-28-20, 19:14

There have been several threads on this.

Concur with Steve-O- except I slightly prefer the KAC over the EMR-A.

drtywk

07-29-20, 14:45

I have a mix of Norgon, FCD and a couple of the AU clones on my two daughter’s guns. I haven’t used any of the other brands because I’ve been happy with the Norgon’s and the FCD versions are simply awesome. I don’t plan on swapping the current Norgon’s for the FCD, but all future builds that need an ambi will get the EMR-A. It is very intuitive and works well with the FCD bolt catch.

js8588

07-29-20, 17:57

Well, I just purchased this one from Rainier because I have this obsession with pretty much all steel parts on my gun being either nitrided or DLC/IONBOND coated (or Chrome lined) because I'm lazy & dislike cleaning. https://www.rainierarms.com/nemo-arms-ambidextrous-magazine-release/

Since I'm getting the receiver set for this one cerakoted I'd rather not get something designed to pivot on the receiver and cause wear marks. Gun OCD is expensive.

Duffy

08-01-20, 10:11

Thank you guys for your kind words :)

Norgon's patent expired in 2016 or 2017, clones of the Ambi-Catch vary in consistency and quality. Norgon's Ambi-Catch is very good, its "pivot on the plate" design doesn't require a protective fence, but it does have its drawbacks: its lever is short and hard to reach for some, and it's all but impossible to drop a fully loaded magazine with the bolt forward, the spring pushes the round against the bolt carrier with such intensity, you need to use your thumb.

EMR-A was designed in 2015 to address both issues. Its lever is very low profile as to not interfere with the bolt catch, an issue I also had with the Norgon Ambi-Catch. The lever itself is contoured, 80 of the serrated portion has a shallow V shape, but the last 20% is straight and forms a ledge to provide tactile feedback.

EMR-A is a drop in replacement for a non-ambi mag catch, we can't incorporate a fence on it, that's its only shortcoming we can't design a fix for, except a lower with a fence for its lever and that's coming.

I think only 3 companies have taken mechanical advantage into consideration: KAC, Norgon, and we. EMR-A lever was redesigned to be slightly shorter to offset the force magnification before it went to market, the original lever became the extended variant, 0.09" is enough to make a difference in pressure required to drop a magazine. We also ship EMR-A with a 8.9 in/lb spring to make it hard to press.

Since 2018, an LP (low profile) version magazine shaft was available as an option for EMR-A, which we subsequently standardized on all EMR-A versions. The effect of an LP shaft is two fold: it seats the magazine button on the right side slightly lower, below the fence, and it makes the magazine release button, and EMR-A's lever harder to press, both are meant to mitigate accidental/unintentional mag drops.

EMR-A has been in production since 2017 and reviewed a few times, these can be found here: https://www.forwardcontrolsdesign.com/ReviewsInterviews_ep_48.html

As always, FCD products are made for work, not for show, if they look good, it's purely a coincidence, you'd never find us touting "looking bad ass" as a feature, looks don't do anything to help the weapon.

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