What are your preferences and/or opinions towards ambidextrous firearm features?

Features that come to mind are:
- Charging handles (particularly for AR)
- Paddle/Flipper type mag release for handguns (HK, some Walther, etc)
- Safety or Fire Selectors

I've been wanting to try out ambi charging handles for my AR recently.  That said, I've gotten so used to my ARs having the "latch" only on the left side of the gun. 

Some features like for the ambi mag release for handguns I believe work well, but I am just so used to the left side push button mag release.  My first gun was an HK and it has the ambi mag release.  I do like it and believe that it's a good feature, but since that time, the rest of my guns are all the left side push button mag release. 

One school of thought is whatever feature that makes the gun easier (faster, less reach, etc) to use is beneficial.  Another is keeping the gun pretty close to stock and learn how to manipulate it that way.  Then you won't be dependent in having guns set up exactly like how your personal gun is. 

Anyways, what are your preferences or opinions on ambi features?  Both in OEM form or aftermarket products. 

The 2 most useful AR add-ons I have are the ambi safety selector, and the Magpul B.A.D. lever. 

The B.A.D. lever is less awkward than having to move my left hand from the forward position on the hand guard to the bolt release paddle, or reaching around the rifle with my right to press it.  A slight press on the B.A.D. with my right index is much quicker and easier.

I know some prefer to use the charging handle for all functions having to do with the bolt, but that's more hand and arm motion than is necessary to simply release the bolt..

I used to have a B.A.D. Lever on mine, but as quirky as it sounds, I took it off simply for the fact that should I need to use another rifle that isn’t mine in a SHTF scenario or any scenario really, I wouldn’t have muscle memory temptation to expect a BAD Lever there or any overly customizable add on.

I did opt for a AXTS Raptor Ambi charging handle, just in case I needed to shoot with my off hand and didn’t want to remove my off hand off the pistol grip if I needed to reload with a closed bolt.

Practice, practice, practice.

Practice, practice, practice.

No matter how much I practice, Carnegie Hall refuses to let me in with my AR-15!

The 2 most useful AR add-ons I have are the ambi safety selector, and the Magpul B.A.D. lever. 

The B.A.D. lever is less awkward than having to move my left hand from the forward position on the hand guard to the bolt release paddle, or reaching around the rifle with my right to press it.  A slight press on the B.A.D. with my right index is much quicker and easier.

I know some prefer to use the charging handle for all functions having to do with the bolt, but that's more hand and arm motion than is necessary to simply release the bolt..

I used to have a B.A.D. Lever on mine, but as quirky as it sounds, I took it off simply for the fact that should I need to use another rifle that isn’t mine in a SHTF scenario or any scenario really, I wouldn’t have muscle memory temptation to expect a BAD Lever there or any overly customizable add on.

I did opt for a AXTS Raptor Ambi charging handle, just in case I needed to shoot with my off hand and didn’t want to remove my off hand off the pistol grip if I needed to reload with a closed bolt.

The battery assist device/lever is one that I've never really considered.  I've shot friends' guns with them and I can see how they would be useful for stuff like reloads and malfunction clearance where you need to lock the bolt back.  That said, I've seen a lot of guns with them malfunction with those things.  Not only the Magpul versions, but the Phase 5, Troy and another.  Some were admittedly "user error" as they found they were hitting the lever when doing certain things.  This is mostly in a shooting class context and not really from the bench.  One guy was putting his index finger on the lever while he tilted/raised the gun up to load a new mag.  So when he went to push the lever, the bolt was already forward.  In another class, another two guns were malfunctioning.  While we couldn't pinpoint that it was the device or how the device was causing anything, once the levers were removed, the guns seemed to have fun fine.  These were personal guns and one was an airman and another a solider, both active duty in Alaska. 

I've also heard numerous reports of the lever causing malfunctions, so I generally stayed away. 

In general, I tend to keep my guns pretty close to stock.  A part of that is not having (or more frankly finding the time) time to tinker and mod my guns.  I'd like to eventually do stuff like stipple grips and such, but just haven't done so.  As far as ambi, I really wouldn't mind trying those features out (speaking of aftermarket items), but just haven't done so. 

Practice, practice, practice.

So what are your preferences or opinions about ambi features? 

Yeah, one would need to practice with whatever they choose to go with, but I assume that you have tried many of those features for yourself. 

You should instead buy  a left handed AR, they sell it with the left handed screw drivers.

You should instead buy  a left handed AR, they sell it with the left handed screw drivers.

One of my best friends is a lefty.  I gotta mention the left handed screw drivers to him.   

Seriously though, guns are generally made/designed for right handers.  I do spend time shooting both sides and for some gun and some manipulations, doing it lefty does take more time, thought, effort, etc.  It can be done, but things are easier with ambi features.  Like a 1911 or other handgun with an ambi safety. 

Some guns are just fine shot lefty, like ARs.  I actually have never seen a lefty AR, like the Stag ones.  But try shooting guns like a Steyr lefty. . . 

My wife is a lefty, thats why we got a vp9. But now she wants a revolver *facepalm

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My wife is a lefty, thats why we got a vp9. But now she wants a revolver *facepalm

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Gotcha. 

I waited until the PPQ M2 came out to try that one since it has the left side button mag release.  The VP9 is one gun that I would consider buying with the ambi-paddle mag release.  I've shot it and it's a solid gun for sure, but those paddles really mess me up.  Even when shooting at the pistol range, I find myself having to at least think my way around the gun. 

Why does the wifey want a revolver?  Does she have trouble working the slide?  Or just something she wants?  Not that a reason is needed for her wanting anything.  Haha

Gotcha. 

I waited until the PPQ M2 came out to try that one since it has the left side button mag release.  The VP9 is one gun that I would consider buying with the ambi-paddle mag release.  I've shot it and it's a solid gun for sure, but those paddles really mess me up.  Even when shooting at the pistol range, I find myself having to at least think my way around the gun. 

Why does the wifey want a revolver?  Does she have trouble working the slide?  Or just something she wants?  Not that a reason is needed for her wanting anything.  Haha

Since the VP is my only pistol, so I'm used to the lever. I use my thumb to release the mag, not my middle finger.  I find that using the thumb, I keep a tighter grip on the pistol.

She wants a revolver because:

1) She always wanted one
2) She does have trouble racking the slide.  She refuses to practice dry firing at home during commercials. (Never listens to me).  I told her at 1st, I had problems too, but now it's easy.  But stil...

Since the VP is my only pistol, so I'm used to the lever. I use my thumb to release the mag, not my middle finger.  I find that using the thumb, I keep a tighter grip on the pistol.

She wants a revolver because:

1) She always wanted one
2) She does have trouble racking the slide.  She refuses to practice dry firing at home during commercials. (Never listens to me).  I told her at 1st, I had problems too, but now it's easy.  But stil...

For my HK, I can't reach the paddle with my thumb.  Maybe I could if I twisted the gun almost 90 degrees in my hand.  So I use my middle finger.  Same with the slide stop.  I use my support hand thumb to send the slide forward. 

1) Good reason.  A big part of why I got a revolver. That and to round out the guns for teaching basic pistol courses.
2) Racking the slide thing is pretty common and a revolver involved more coordination than strength.  The loading, or even reloading, is always interesting for lefties since they need to transfer hands.  I can't think of a good way to load or reload with the gun in the left hand.  I've also worked with some older folks that didn't have the hand strength to rack the slide on anything more than a 22 pistol.  In many cases, they shot revolvers great! 

I twist my wrist about half inch which allows my thumb to hit the lever. 

Have a carbine course coming up, so decided to try an ambi charging handle.  Ordered the Geiselle ACH and going to give it a shot.

I debating trying and ambi safety, but never really noticed it being an issue with the standard safety, so decided against trying it.  At least for now. 

Have a carbine course coming up, so decided to try an ambi charging handle.  Ordered the Geiselle ACH and going to give it a shot.

I debating trying and ambi safety, but never really noticed it being an issue with the standard safety, so decided against trying it.  At least for now.

As a righty, I prefer my wifes ambi safety on the AR.  Take off safe with thumb (left side), and put back on with index finger (right side).  This way it adds a layer of safety because your index finger is off the trigger.  But after installing the ambi safety, she doesn't use it anyways and still uses the regular (left side). *facepalm.

Check out the CZ P10C.  It's a "true" ambi mag/slide release.  But the P10F won't be.  And it's not really a compact.  Just 1/4 inch shorter than VP9.  The full size will be 1/4 inch longer than VP9.

But in the end I tell her to get used to righty controls.  Because if you have to pick up a gun off the ground and it's not set up ambi, it will take that much longer to forget muscle memory.

As a righty, I prefer my wifes ambi safety on the AR.  Take off safe with thumb (left side), and put back on with index finger (right side).  This way it adds a layer of safety because your index finger is off the trigger.  But after installing the ambi safety, she doesn't use it anyways and still uses the regular (left side). *facepalm.

Check out the CZ P10C.  It's a "true" ambi mag/slide release.  But the P10F won't be.  And it's not really a compact.  Just 1/4 inch shorter than VP9.  The full size will be 1/4 inch longer than VP9.

But in the end I tell her to get used to righty controls.  Because if you have to pick up a gun off the ground and it's not set up ambi, it will take that much longer to forget muscle memory.

Haha.  Women. . .

In general, I tend to just use the guns how they are designed and tend to stay closer to stock as to try to not get dependent upon add-ons.  Somewhat the same reasoning you're trying to get your wife to get used to righty controls.  That said, I am still interested in trying some ambi-features and the charging handle was first and then safety to a lesser extent.  I'm used to using the "standard" safety, but always interested if there's a better way.  I guess for the charging handle and even safety, the other side can be there if you want to try it, but won't hurt anything if you don't use it.  There's also the aspect of if I end up liking the ambi feature, I'll have to do the same for other of my guns.

Haha.  Women. . .

In general, I tend to just use the guns how they are designed and tend to stay closer to stock as to try to not get dependent upon add-ons.  Somewhat the same reasoning you're trying to get your wife to get used to righty controls.  That said, I am still interested in trying some ambi-features and the charging handle was first and then safety to a lesser extent.  I'm used to using the "standard" safety, but always interested if there's a better way.  I guess for the charging handle and even safety, the other side can be there if you want to try it, but won't hurt anything if you don't use it.  There's also the aspect of if I end up liking the ambi feature, I'll have to do the same for other of my guns.

Ambi safety selector is a cheap addon, only $45.  Is it necessary?  Absolutely not.  Does it help with weak-hand manipulations easier?  Yes.  I'd argue that an ambi safety is more helpful than an ambi charging handle but this is America, get both!! 

Haha.  Women. . .

In general, I tend to just use the guns how they are designed and tend to stay closer to stock as to try to not get dependent upon add-ons.  Somewhat the same reasoning you're trying to get your wife to get used to righty controls.  That said, I am still interested in trying some ambi-features and the charging handle was first and then safety to a lesser extent.  I'm used to using the "standard" safety, but always interested if there's a better way.  I guess for the charging handle and even safety, the other side can be there if you want to try it, but won't hurt anything if you don't use it.  There's also the aspect of if I end up liking the ambi feature, I'll have to do the same for other of my guns.

I was looking at the Geiselle SSH, not for it's ambi feature, but for its solid metal.  The stock one seems flimbsy when you grab by 1 side.  I feel the metal twist slightly. 

My wife has an ambi charging handle that when you use 2 fingers, it doesn't work as well.  It works best when grabbing from 1 side only (left or right).  IDK if all ambi handles are like this, but this is now the reason why I grab from the left side only on my stock charging handle.  Because if I do have to pick up an AR that's been modified, using the 2 fingers may cause a delay.  But 1 side will work more often.

Ambi safety selector is a cheap addon, only $45.  Is it necessary?  Absolutely not.  Does it help with weak-hand manipulations easier?  Yes.  I'd argue that an ambi safety is more helpful than an ambi charging handle but this is America, get both!!

Pain in the ass to install.  I had to re-install the ELF trigger due to having a defect in the 1st one.  Then she bought the ambi safety 2 days later and had to move the trigger slightly (had to basically remove both pins, so it's like installing all over).  Only to find out she doesn't use it when we took the HDF carbine class.  Hence the *facepalm.