Ambi controls are nice to have. Not entirely needed but milspec parts can be most definitely swapped out for much better stuff like the BCM charging handle as mentioned. I have a ambi bcm CH but I’ve never used it left handed because the forward assist just annoys me when I try to grab the latch.

For the AR, I would agree that ambi stuff like the CH and safety selector aren't needed, but I am also interested in anything that can make the gun easier/quicker to manipulate or provide a performance benefit.  WRT performance benefit, I believe best way to improve that is to shoot often, which I try to do.  That said, without trying these features, they would continue to be one of those things where I don't know what I don't know. 

The forward assist interfering with the ambi CH was something that I read about.  I believe the Radian Raptor has a slightly larger lever on the right side to help with clearance. 

For the AR, I would agree that ambi stuff like the CH and safety selector aren't needed, but I am also interested in anything that can make the gun easier/quicker to manipulate or provide a performance benefit.  WRT performance benefit, I believe best way to improve that is to shoot often, which I try to do.  That said, without trying these features, they would continue to be one of those things where I don't know what I don't know. 

The forward assist interfering with the ambi CH was something that I read about.  I believe the Radian Raptor has a slightly larger lever on the right side to help with clearance.

Yup.  This has been on my list https://radianweapons.com/receivers/lowers/lower-receiver

I’ve been looking to build a upper without the forward assist. That stuff is dead weight and extra bulk anyway in my book.

Yup.  This has been on my list https://radianweapons.com/receivers/lowers/lower-receiver

Wow!  That lower is quite pricey! 

Is the controls similar to the KAC SR-15? I think the SR-15 E3 MOD 2 has a bunch of ambi features.  Speaking of pricey!  When I got my first AR, I was considering a KAC, but I could have gotten two DD for about the price of a KAC. 

I have the Radian Talon safety selector on the way.  I'm looking forward to trying the 45 degree capability of that selector. 

I’ve been looking to build a upper without the forward assist. That stuff is dead weight and extra bulk anyway in my book.

An upgrade to a flat top upper will certainly help with the "dead weight" reduction aspect. 

You're the one with the A2 upper and gooseneck optic mount, right? 

I’ve been looking to build a upper without the forward assist. That stuff is dead weight and extra bulk anyway in my book.

Agreed.  As the estimable Clint Smith has said, "if the round ain't going in, you probably shouldn't be jamming the shit out of it."

Agreed.  As the estimable Clint Smith has said, "if the round ain't going in, you probably shouldn't be jamming the shit out of it."

Learn something new every day. 

And there's an opportunity for a "that's not what she said" thing in there somewhere.   

Learn something new every day. 

And there's an opportunity for a "that's not what she said" thing in there somewhere.   

"use spit"

As a lefty, the only two things I care about are the mag release and safety, above all the mag release though. Fire selector too, but realistically I don't think I'm gonna have that option in my lifetime lol.

Charging handles don't bother me at all, you just get used to and its just as quick/easy one way vs another.

As a lefty, the only two things I care about are the mag release.

For a lefty, sweep your right hand down the handguard and press the mag release with your thumb while grabing the magazine at the same time.  Then use the downward motion to grab a magazine from your pouch.

Should be one smooth motion sweeping down.

Then ill load a mag and press the bolt release with my right middle finger reaching around the bottom of the rifle then grab the handguard.  One smooth motion. From your mag pouch to your handguards

As a lefty, the only two things I care about are the mag release and safety, above all the mag release though. Fire selector too, but realistically I don't think I'm gonna have that option in my lifetime lol.

Charging handles don't bother me at all, you just get used to and its just as quick/easy one way vs another.

For mag release, I'm actually ok with it being only on the right side (when I'm shooting lefty).  The harder part is getting to the full mag off my belt as they are on my left side, but behind the pistol mags.  So I have to reach behind my back with my right arm to get to the rearmost mag.  But the important thing here is that one has tried for themself and see what works and what might have a better way.

Fire selector in your lifetime?  You mean wanting one that has the full auto option?   

For mag release, I'm actually ok with it being only on the right side (when I'm shooting lefty).  The harder part is getting to the full mag off my belt as they are on my left side, but behind the pistol mags.  So I have to reach behind my back with my right arm to get to the rearmost mag.  But the important thing here is that one has tried for themself and see what works and what might have a better way.

Fire selector in your lifetime?  You mean wanting one that has the full auto option?   

Where's your chest rig fool?  Got one of those you can borrow too lol.

Where's your chest rig fool?  Got one of those you can borrow too lol.

Don't got none of that. . .   

I am actually working with USGG now on a custom one that will accept both AK and AR mags, but haven't even started the order yet.  Just got in the swift clips last week that Robert said he needed to start the project.  Gonna be interesting when I shoot the AK this weekend.  The mags might have to be in my pants pockets.    I mean my HSGI belt can accept the AK mags fine, but that's not the belt that I have been using most often. 

Don't got none of that. . .   

I am actually working with USGG now on a custom one that will accept both AK and AR mags, but haven't even started the order yet.  Just got in the swift clips last week that Robert said he needed to start the project.  Gonna be interesting when I shoot the AK this weekend.  The mags might have to be in my pants pockets.    I mean my HSGI belt can accept the AK mags fine, but that's not the belt that I have been using most often.

Sounds expensive... what's the estimated cost?

My Haley Strategic D3CR can hold AR and AK mags.  As always the offer is open lol.  Not like u live far away.

Sounds expensive... what's the estimated cost?

No additional cost from the chest rig that it's being based off of.  I think around $170.  It's somewhat inspired by the D3CR, but lighter/simpler.  The compatibility with the swift clips is the key aspect though. 

My Haley Strategic D3CR can hold AR and AK mags.  As always the offer is open lol.  Not like u live far away.

Ok.  That might be helpful.  I was thinking of trying that chest rig and came close to ordering one.  At a recent carbine class, a couple of AK shooters had them and it seemed to work pretty well for them. 

Let me hit you up on when I think I will be free this week.  Probably in the evening tomorrow through Thursday. 

No additional cost from the chest rig that it's being based off of.  I think around $170.  It's somewhat inspired by the D3CR, but lighter/simpler.  The compatibility with the swift clips is the key aspect though. 
Ok.  That might be helpful.  I was thinking of trying that chest rig and came close to ordering one.  At a recent carbine class, a couple of AK shooters had them and it seemed to work pretty well for them. 

Let me hit you up on when I think I will be free this week.  Probably in the evening tomorrow through Thursday.

Sounds good, I'm always at home early, 4:30ish so I can hang with ma baby. 

Radian Talon and KAC am I safeties came in today.

Installed the Radian first. It came with its own safety detent and spring. The operation was smooth but still with positive clicks in each position. Felt the right side safety lever extended a little too much and affected my trigger finger.

Then installed the KAC. The Radian seemed smoother, but the KAC was pretty smooth and also positive clicks. It comes with three options for the right side lever. Put on the one with the bottom section rounded out as it seemed to have the least affect in my trigger finger. Did some dry fire with both hands and I am able to manipulate the safety with my left thumb when dry firing lefty. Still feels more “normal” to use my left hand index finger/pad to work the safety.

Left the KAC on the gun and will give that one a try. First impression was that I prefer the standard safety, but think mostly just because that is what I’m used to. Will certainly give it some time and see how it shakes out.

never had a need for ambi charging handle until I started the AR in 7.62x39 build and was getting some ftf, cartridge would get stuck pretty hard going into the chamber and using the milspec CH was kind of difficult bc I couldn't get a very good grip and pull it out
so I switched to the ambi CH just bc I could get a better grip on it to extract the ftf.  in that sense it works better for me
since then I've solved the ftf problem, but I keep the ambi CH just in case

Radian Talon and KAC am I safeties came in today.

Installed the Radian first. It came with its own safety detent and spring. The operation was smooth but still with positive clicks in each position. Felt the right side safety lever extended a little too much and affected my trigger finger.

Then installed the KAC. The Radian seemed smoother, but the KAC was pretty smooth and also positive clicks. It comes with three options for the right side lever. Put on the one with the bottom section rounded out as it seemed to have the least affect in my trigger finger. Did some dry fire with both hands and I am able to manipulate the safety with my left thumb when dry firing lefty. Still feels more “normal” to use my left hand index finger/pad to work the safety.

Left the KAC on the gun and will give that one a try. First impression was that I prefer the standard safety, but think mostly just because that is what I’m used to. Will certainly give it some time and see how it shakes out.

Did you install the safety as 45 degree throw or 90??