The American Defense UIC true ambi lower is a fine basis for a quality AR build
Now that AXTS is unwilling to sell just their lower receivers, it seems to me that the American Defense UIC full ambi lowers are a pretty good choice (they even look like the AXTS lowers -- LOL). The Duty-Series units like the one shown here are IMHO a decent deal at $240 with all ambi controls and takedown pins either installed or included.
If you haven't seen these UIC lowers before, they include an ambi bolt catch AND release and left-side mag catch actuator (which works in conjuction with standard mag catch parts to make the mag catch ambi). The bolt catch/release assembly is proprietary, with the left side paddle having a small "tail" that interfaces with the right side lever. The safety can also be ambi if you use something like the BAD-ASS. You have to provide the FCG, safety with detent pin and spring, standard mag catch parts, buffer pin and spring, receiver extension, endplate, castle nut, stock body, and pistol grip.
The magwell has a nice hidden bevel to speed mag changes. ADM also includes a threaded post with a polymer tip that you can adjust to make your upper/lower fit tight, but I find these sorts of things a waste of time so I just left it off the lower.
Looks very nice and works perfectly so far. I can't detect anything that would have put this lower into the "Duty-Series" category, which is supposed to include minor finish issues and other nonesuch.
Here are some shots of my "stripped" lower as it comes from ADM.
Here is the completed rifle.
I'm using a standard forged flattop upper with a Centurion Arms 16" 5.56 tapered bore LW barrel, DD Slim 15 KeyMod handguard, Griffin M4SD II flash comp, TA11D ACOG, and offset Micro T-1. The FCG is standard USGI and you can see the BAD-ASS ambi safety.
I find the ambi controls very well thought out and easy to use. The right-side bolt catch/release in particular is awesome. There were no tolerance issues with any of the standard LPK parts I used. All the PMAGs I've tried so far drop free (M3 30, M2 30, M3 20).
I put 25 rounds through this rifle during a brief range visit last week and experienced zero issues. So far, the UIC lower is shaping up to be a very nice option for shooters who want a true ambi lower with an ambi bolt catch/release vs just a right-side bolt release.
I will update as I put more rounds downrange.
Scout Rider for the Mongol Hordes
Bookmarks