Ever Wonder What To Do With Those Extra BAD-ASS Levers?

Posted on May 18th, 2013 by ar15news

The first thing I do when I build a new lower is…put a Battle Arms Development BAD-ASS (Ambi Safety Selector) in it.  Its seriously a must have!  Most of your BAD-ASS packages will come with 3 different levers so you can swap them around and customize them to your liking.  Well, with each set you buy that leaves you with an extra lever to tuck away somewhere.  For those of you who have at least 2 levers left over Battle Arms Development has come up with an awesome option for you to be able to put them to good use.  

You can now buy just the core and screws for the BAD-ASS and add it to your existing levers to create another complete BAD-ASS.  You can choose to go with the standard 90 degree Core and screws for just $25.95 or this is also a great time to upgrade on the cheap to the 45 degree Core and screws for just $39.95.  Whichever way you choose to go this is a sweet option for current BAD-ASS owners.  You might want to pick up a selector detent while your there too.  Click on the links below to get your own.

BAD-ASS 90 Degree Core and Screws  -  $25.95

BAD-ASS 45 Degree Core and Screws  -  $39.95

**SOLD OUT** BAD-ASS Selector and Raptor Ambi Charging Handle Combo Deal

Posted on March 23rd, 2013 by ar15news

**SOLD OUT 3-24-13**  The best ambi safety selector (the Battle Arms Development BAD-ASS) and the best ambi AR15 charging handle (the Rainier Arms Raptor) together for one great price.  Jump on these now while they’re still in-stock at just $139.95 only at BattleArmsDevelopment.com.  

NEW!! B.A.D. Ambi Safety Selector / RA Raptor Ambi CH Combo

Posted on January 22nd, 2013 by ar15news

I’m a huge fan of any product that helps me be able to use my rifle better and that includes when I need to shoot with my off hand.  That’s why the first thing I do is hook my rifles up with as many ambidextrous upgrades as possible.  As I’ve mentioned before one of the best bang for your buck upgrades is the BAD-ASS ambi safety selector from Battle Arms Development.  Recently the Rainier Arms Raptor ambi charging handle has also become an integral part in all of my rifles as well.  Now, Battle Arms Development has packaged these two awesome products together at the discounted price of just $139.95 and they’re instock and ready to ship.  If you’re looking to completely upgrade the functionality of your AR15 this is the package you need!  Check out their combo special at BattleArmsDevelopment.com.  

AR15NEWS Weekly Photo and Build Details

Posted on November 30th, 2012 by ar15news

Had a short delay between articles in our “Weekly Photo and Build Details” series with Holidays and our Facebook Giveaway going on but we are back at it and I think you’ll like this one.  This time around I will focus on 6 components to one of my rifles.  Five of them I’ve been using for quite some time but the sixth one is very new to me.  Just to restate what we’ve already discussed, I am not being compensated or asked to tell you guys about these products.  Most of them are products I have purchased myself with my own money because I believe in their quality and I like how they work.  Anyways, check out the photo below and the details that follow.    You can click on the images to see them full size as well.

1.  Centurion Arms C4 12.0 Rail:  One of my personal favorite rails, the Centurion Arms C4 rail was designed based on the operational experience of the owner of Centurion Arms who is an active duty Navy Seal.  As I’ve mentioned before, they are a Freefloat 2-piece rail that installs directly onto the existing barrel nut which gives you lightning quick installation and removal.  They also feature 4 QD sling mounts as well.  Probably one of the sturdiest rails you can buy.  You do have to pay a little bit more to have the best but its well worth the cost.  I purchased mine from RainierArms.com,

2.  AXTS Weapons Systems AX556 Lower:  Aside from its very unique and awesome looks there is a better reason why I love this lower.  Those of you who have known me for a while know that I am a big fan of ambidextrous operation on my rifles.  I think every prepared shooter needs to practice shooting with both hands.  If you ever find yourself wounded in a gun fight, whether at home or at war, and lose the use of your strong side hand/arm you need to be able to use your week side.  A good way to make this easier is to make the functions of your rifle ambidextrous.  The AX556 lower gives you the most ambidextrous control over any other lower on the market.  There are others on the market with Ambit Bolt Release and very few offer an Ambi Mag Release.  However, none offer a built-in Bolt Hold except for the AX556.  It also accommodates the Battle Arms Development 45 Degree Selectors as well. (see below)  Unfortunately this is not a very easy lower to purchase.  They are on a 60-90 day backorder at the moment.  I can’t tell you who but I was only able to purchase mine because a very well known Industry Leader / Trainer had one for sale.  Basically, if you see one for sale, snag it!!  If not, get your name on the list at http://axtsweapons.com/products/AX556

3.  ALG Defense ACT Trigger:  So far so good.  I’m really impressed with this affordable trigger group.  For $65 its probably one of the best bang for your buck triggers out there. These are standard mil-spec triggers that are Nickel Boron coated and have been tuned by Geissele Automatics (makers of $200-300 trigger groups).  The NiB coating and polishing have really reduced any grittiness that is usually associated with Mil-Spec triggers.  Trigger pull is around 6lbs. which is not as light as some of the more expensive triggers but this is a Mil-Spec trigger which means it needs to be at 5.5lbs or higher.  Some triggers you’ll find in a standard LPK are closer to 9/9.5lbs.  I have not issue with recommending this trigger group to anyone looking to upgrade their standard trigger group.  Check out ALGDefense.com for more info.  I purchased my ALG Defense ACT trigger from Rainier Arms.

4.  Battle Arms Development Ambi Safety Selectors:  If you haven’t heard of Battle Arms Development yet then you haven’t been listening to me.  I won’t build a gun without these awesome selectors as a first component.  This specific model is the BAD-CASS-SA-ST.  That stands for the Combat Ambi Safety Selector – Semi Automatic – Short Throw.  The standard BAD-ASS selector is a huge upgrade by itself but the BAD-CASS family is a beefed up combat version of the BAD-ASS.  By using a dovetail mounting system they’ve reduced the stress put on the screws of the selector.  The Short Throw model bumps it up even one more notch by reducing the travel from SAFE to FIRE by 45 degrees.  This makes the action itself easier and much quicker.  I have two rifles with the Short Throw levers on them and love them.  You are supposed to have a 45 degree selector “compatible” lower but there are ways around that.  (contact me if you have any questions)  These are by far the best on the market and I put them on every rifle I own.  If its half the price, its because its only half as good.  You can purchase yours from Battle Arms Development.

5.  Rainier Arms RAPTOR Ambi Charging Handle:  If you’re just heading out to the backyard to shoot some cans you will probably be just fine with your standard AR-15 charging handle but if your AR will see some hard use the standard charging handle is one of the first things you should replace.  The Rainier Arms RAPTOR Ambi Charging Handle is a brand new product for 2012 but it has already made some huge waves in the industry.  They really are mechanically speaking works of art.  Both sides have the same style skeletonized latches and they function exactly the same as the other.  The best part is without intentionally damaging these you aren’t going to break them.  They are built like a tank!  These will be as essential to my future builds as my BAD-ASS selectors.  I did receive a couple of these on the house from my buddy John but have already purchased additional units from the my favorite retailer who just happens to make these, RainierArms.com.

6.  Impact Weapons Components QD Sling Mount for Magpul UBR stock:  Its kind of hard to see in this pic but this is an upgrade that was seriously needed.  The standard Magpul UBR stock comes with a reversible QD sling mount but its a real pain to swap it around.  What’s worse is that once you switch it to the side you want it makes it difficult to run weak side drills while using a single point sling that is mounted to it.  Earl at Impact Weapons Components started his business by looking at a product and finding the small things that needed to be tweaked.  For the UBR he designed a QD Sling Mount that replaced the sideways facing QD with a downward facing QD sling mount.  The result is a QD Sling Mount that is ambidextrous.  Its CNC machined to fit right in place of the stock unit and is awesome.  I’m a huge fan of this product and I use IWC products a lot.  Now switching from strong side to weak side and back is no issue.  It even works well with a 2-point sling.  Check this and many other great products out at ImpactWeaponsComponents.com.  Don’t forget to use the code “AR15NEWS” at checkout to save 5% on ALL PRODUCTS in their online store. 

The Evolution Of The Battle Arms Development Ambi Safety Selector

Posted on September 28th, 2012 by ar15news

In 2009, we started working on an ambidextrous selector that promised to be more user friendly.  Military moron had a basic shape in mind, but we decided to embark on something quite different and ambitious.  The idea was to have a lever that’s unobtrusive, and usable from either side of the receiver without introducing undue interference.

The first model featured levers of complex geometry and multiple serrations, but in tests, while they presented minimal interference for the user, they did not provide adequate surface area and purchase for the user to intuitively engage.

This is the first BAD selector, portions of the lever are blocked out as we may use the design elsewhere.

Back to the drawing board. We realized that there would be compromises, as with a 90 degree throw, where the lever points straight down when the selector is rotated to FIRE/SEMI, unobtrusiveness and good purchase are almost mutually exclusive.  This time around, in addition to the standard lever which is used 95% of the time, we came up with a short lever and a thin lever, and we made both sides of the selector modular.

A very early prototype.  The rough machining of the center is a far cry from the production units, fit and finish of which is a wonderful thing to behold.

Initially it was called UCAS (User Configurable Ambidextrous Selector).  In tests, 50% of the users liked the short lever on the weak side, and 50% of the users liked the thin lever.  Instead of choosing just one weak side lever and essentially imposing our idea of what’s best for the users, we produced both and included both in the production model.

The original, unfinished three levers.  All major components of the BAD-ASS and BAD-CASS are billet, CNC machined.

The original lever options have since expanded from three to seven, plus an end cap.  Many of the new levers are the results of user and dealer input.

In 2010, we applied the modular lever concept to the M16 selector.  We incorporated a dovetail interface to relieve the stress on the mounting screws, it also allows the levers to stay on the selector center, which makes the selector usable, in the event the screws back out.

An early BAD-CASS-3P, M16 prototype

The BAD-CASS family has since grown to include semi auto 90 degree and 45 degree short throw selectors.  While the original BAD-ASS (all semi auto) family now includes the 90 degree, 45 degree short throw, and Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 selectors.

In months to come, we will be unveiling additional levers and short throw selectors, as well as other AR15 / M16 components.  We wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for customers, dealers and distributors that have made this living and breathing project possible, thank you.

Roger Wang

Battle Arms Development, Inc.

Improvidus, Apto quod Victum