I stopped by X-Ring Security over the K-Day Holiday to look at its selection of AR accessories and in particular, its options on BAD levers. It had a few Magpul BAD levers for sale but was out of the Phase 5 EBRv2 which Brian said a lot of people like. I decided to shelve the idea of buying one until I had a chance to see what people thought about them. I combed the internet and found that both have an equal amount of lovers and haters for the following reasons:

Magpul BAD Lever 

Pluses
Bolt on
almost half the price of Phase 5
simple design, looks great
lever sits forward in trigger guard

Minuses
Shakes, depending on fit of existing bolt release
Set screw loosens/strips
known to cause failure to hold the bolt open after the last round
Scratches finish on receiver
Doesn't fit all receivers
looks horrible
delicate


Phase 5 EBRv2

Pluses
Solid monolithic skelentonized construction
Looks awesome

Minuses
Looks Ugly and obtrusive
known to cause failure to hold the bolt open after the last round
Doesn't fit all receivers
Does the same thing as Magpul's BAD Lever but at almost twice the cost
Requires replacement of stock bolt catch release
lever sits too close to trigger

Seems to me that both essentially work the same and have the same rate of success/failures. This being said, the only difference between the two is style and construction with both weighing in favor of Phase 5 for an additional $20. Has anyone tried both and have a preference for one over the other? If so, why?

I've never tried the ebvr but I do have a few BAD levers and I love it. Works great on my Noveskes. Used blue loctite and has never come loose. I think it looks good and is not delicate. It does scratch the receiver a ill but I never take it off so it doesn't bother me.

I considered getting the ebvr for my AR that has a billet lower. The BAD caused the bolt to lock back after every shot. I ended up selling that gun so I never bought the ebvr

The bAD lever is great and I would only use something else if it wasn't compatible with my lower. Since it's super easy to install you should try one in the store with your rifle to see if it works for you.

The bAD lever is great and I would only use something else if it wasn't compatible with my lower. Since it's super easy to install you should try one in the store with your rifle to see if it works for you.

I'm sort of leaning in that direction at the moment but am holding out for others to chime in. I like nice stuff but functionality takes precedence over aesthetics. Seems to me that people are experiencing the same problems with the two levers then it simply boils down to style.

I have several of the Magpul levers.  I have been using such levers for a long time, prior to Magpul's existence.  It had its roots right here and I ran the prototype that eventually made its way over to Magpul.  So I have pretty much ran them all and I still opt for the lightweight, correct angle, simple and cost effectiveness of the BAD.  I will say that the early Phase 5 units suffered from heavy weight and incorrect angles, but have improved over time.  You might also be interested in the Tactical Link version if you just don't care for the BAD. 

The last 3 rifles that I put together.  I have a few more needing to be done when I find some time and all will get a BAD lever.  So I guess that would be my vote.   

https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=3367

Tactical link levers on sale if you want to try something different

I don't have any personal experience with them. I've shot guns with them and I can see how they could be quite handy. That's said, I've seen many guns malfunction with BAD and other similar levers installed. In the process of trying to figure out what is going on, removal of the lever resolved the malfunctions in many occasions. I've seen this in a couple of carbine classes and also while RSO. I don't know what it is or if it's coincidence, but something that I've noticed and on my time as staff at a dedicated AR15 forum, this came up often.

Were they levers installed correctly? I don't know. Seems like Surf has had good experience with them and that does speak volumes in favor of them, at least IMO. I should install one on one of my guns and see for myself.  Just haven't had the chance.

I got so tired of the bad lever coming loose or feeling loose I epoxied it to my bolt release without the backing plate and screw.

I've seen many guns malfunction with BAD and other similar levers installed. In the process of trying to figure out what is going on, removal of the lever resolved the malfunctions in many occasions. I've seen this in a couple of carbine classes and also while RSO. I don't know what it is or if it's coincidence, but something that I've noticed and on my time as staff at a dedicated AR15 forum, this came up often.

This problem appears to be uniform across the board with all BAD (i.e., not just Magpul) levers from what I've read so far and is probably the result of varying (and even improper) installation techniques, clearances and tolerances in the bolt release lever and even different receiver designs. The manufacters websites at least identify a number of receivers that won't work with their product (e.g., polymer lowers, etc.).  Seems to me that the only way to find out if a particular design works for your set up is to bite the bullet (pun intended) and buy one.

I've use Magpul B.A.D. levers on a Colt LE6940, a PSA Blem upper/lower pair, and a Spikes Tactical Zombie lower w/Spikes upper. 

Basically, all the AR-15s I've fired.  Never had a problem.  None ever loosened, and I find them very useful for locking and releasing the bolt with my right hand.

I've put over 1,000 rounds total through these 3 guns. 

What I might see as a potential problem would be the angle people try pushing it.  It should always go up or down. 

If you push it forward or back in the direction of the trigger, I can see how that might cause it to bend, loosen, or maybe mess up the bolt release itself.

3 rifles, and I'm happy with the product.  Maybe I'm just lucky with the models I selected?

 

I got so tired of the bad lever coming loose or feeling loose I epoxied it to my bolt release without the backing plate and screw.

Hey dex you better slow down, it must be all those high speed carbine drills you do causing it too come loose 

Been running my BAD lever on my noveske AR since I got it and put over 2000 rounds through it with no problems, in fact I haven't even tightened the screw since I put it on 

Also one of the the Noveskes that we were using for the shooting fair had one mounted on it and that gun easily saw 500+ rounds with no malfunctions. I recommend you go out and get one, shoot a bunch of carbine classes or shoot your AR enough times actually learn how and when to use it than make your own opinion. Hell it only cost $20

Tolerances so widely vary on the bolt catches.

As has been mentioned tolerances on individual parts to include the bolt catch, bolt catch roll pin, bolt catch spring, bolt catch plunger, lower receiver specifications, in conjunction with the varying weights / arm angles of each battery assist device creates many different possibilities in regards to efficacy / reliability of the device.  In a great deal of testing we found that these two aspects, weight and arm or lever angle, were huge in the reliability of the actual device. Therefore the reliability of the device needs to be tested on each individual rifle.  The bottom line, if the individual device does not work reliably on a particular rifle, don't use it.  If it does work reliably and if the shooter is competent enough in the use of the device than it can become a very good advantage. 

Yes the device can develop some "wiggle".  I tend to just leave it and run it as is.  For those who object some drops of epoxy inside the clamping area can resolve this.  The good thing about the Magpul variant is that it is lightweight and has a correct angle to the lever arm of the device and I have found that the Magpul BAD works more reliably on a broader range of rifles.  I still have my old school pre-Magpul variant still in use today.  It has a screw as the arm and can be screwed in or out to create varying leverages on the device for the given firearm.

My old school device on a bit of an older build.  This was a billet upper and the normal devices would not fit the uppers bolt catch cutout.  This was a pre-Magpul design.   

This fix supposedly helps with the wiggle some people have with Magpul.