Lefties, thoughts on ambi controls?

[rfizzle]

I'm helping a friend (who's left handed) put together an AR.

When I've taught at work, the lefties have to adapt to department owned (stock) rifles, and it seems like most of them get pretty good without any ambi controls.

Budget is also a concern. As I've shopped around for ambi parts, it does add a bit of cost to a build. Some things like the selector I actually had lying around, but a full ambi lower is $$$!

So I'm wondering for those of you that are left handed, what if any ambi controls are helpful and/or necessary?

[Gunner]

Love having an ambi safety selector and charging handle. Everything else I could do without.

I have this on mine.

https://noveske.com/products/noveske...gree-selector/

Also I like the raptor CH


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[TheNash]

Second the ambi selector and charging handle.

[Fromk]

I love ambi stuff, too. It depends how much or how hard he's going to run it and how much lefty tax he's willing to pay. The good news is that all but one of the features can be changed out any time. He can figure out what's bugging him and fix it later.

Ambi safety is a must. They don't have to be terribly expensive. I have a 60 degree one that's my favorite because a full size normal one can get in the way on fire.

Mag release is #2. The Norgon ambi catch is still the only one I've come across that works. It's pricey but worth it. If he's just going to do the occasional range day it's not as important.

Charging handle is last in my opinion because it's not terribly difficult to run a normal one as a lefty. If he's going to do any upgrade over a mil-spec one he might as well get an ambi charging handle.

Finally is a lefty upper. I only have one and it's my 3-gun rifle. Shooting in weird positions and doing it quickly results in me getting gas in my face and the occasional piece of brass where I don't want it. I can use normal AR's just fine but the one I use all the time and gets run relatively hard has that feature. Totally worth it for that one gun.

[esaabye]

Selector and mag release for me, charging handle does not matter for me.

I never could use left handed scissors…

[.455_Hunter]

My Stags are both full lefty with ambi-selector.

My Colt SP-1 Carbine is "as issued".

I am so used to the pressing the bolt release with my left trigger finger that it is second nature.

[SouthPaw]

As others have stated, ambi safety and CH are the only 'must haves.' All the other stuff is not really needed IMO. Ten years ago, I convinced myself that I had to have the Seekins SP223 lower with the ambi bolt catch. I spent $300 on the stripped lower, SBR'd it and I bet in the I have only used the bolt catch five times lol.

These are on sale:
https://www.bigtexordnance.com/produ...5-56-ar15-m16/

[Ah Pook]

I'm helping a friend (who's left handed) put together an AR.

You make it sound like your friend is special needs.

Another lefty here. I like the ambi safety but have had problems with some, while slung across the back, rubbing on clothes and moving to the fire position. Beyond that, the other controls are fine.

I never could use left handed scissors?

I couldn't either but I could run with them.

[DenverGP]

Another lefty. All my ARs get ambi safety, and I like the raptor style ambi charging handles. Never had need for any other ambi controls on mine.

[earplug]

Ambi selector was a nice upgrade after I retired from the US Army.