My review of the Magpul B.A.D. Lever

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ttushooter

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hey everyone I've been lurking around here for a while and thought I would finally make my first post. I actually am starting a project where I film product reviews and post them on youtube. I plan to film other segments and post them up, but this is my first attempt at filming and editing. Hopefully its somewhat informative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v43CcwAAvA
 
Good stuff. I've been installing some Magpul accessories on my guns lately and installation and demonstration videos of their line up isn't particularly fleshed out on youtube.
 
nice review.

personally, i don't like foreign objects inside my trigger guard (and that includes m14 safeties). i know lots of hi-speed guys love this thing, but i'll pass.

of course, it helps that i'm left-handed and can lock the bolt open w/o removing my firing hand anyway, but then... why would i want to?
 
The BAD is a good device. Most importantly, it allows the bolt to be locked to the rear (by a right-handed shooter) without removing the firing grip with his right hand. One application of this it to clear double-feed malfunctions. It can also speed slidelock reloads.

taliv,

The BAD does go through the trigger guard but it is manipulated without putting your finger inside the trigger guard.
 
MlJdeckard wrote:
That's cool, will you post a video of a shooting reload using it?

And does anyone know if there is any reason it wouldn't work on an AR-10?
Click to expand...

I'll try and see about recording it in action with reloads etc. I filmed all that with a little webcam and my laptop so it may be difficult to record all that while on an active firing line. I have been looking at buying some sort of camcorder, but cash is tight so i dunno when/if i'll get to buy one.

As far as working on AR-10's I have read that that it will NOT work on AR-10 rifles. My understanding is the main reason is the upper receiver is thicker and recessed for the bolt catch on the .308 guns.

Granted I do not own an AR10 type rifle so I can't say first hand, but that is the consensus on other firearms forums i frequent where it has come up.
 
A good first video review. I would like to have seen you do a live-fire review at the range, in various shooting positions (offhand, supported kneeling, prone, etc.), especially those which compromise your ability to reliably operate the charging handle with the support (left) hand. Perhaps that's next?

I have a battery assist device installed on three carbines. I'm still evaluating it. Some observations:
  • I don't like the amount of space it occupies in front of the trigger
  • It can abrade and injure the trigger finger during manipulations and active gun handling
  • Don't work the device to stop the bolt until the bolt is either fully retracted or almost fully retracted, otherwise the friction of the bolt stop riding against the bolt carrier can make it difficult to retract the charging handle. The device increases the leverage applied to the bolt stop.
I'm leaning toward removing it from all my guns. I prefer to operate the charging handle with my firing (right) hand because the practice is more reliable for me, especially if I encounter a stoppage that makes it hard to retract the charging handle. I installed it in the interest of improving my ability quickly clear stoppages when I have to lock open the bolt, however I'm beginning to regard it as a piece of competition hardware instead of combat hardware.

Cheers!
 
the only downside to the BAD (own 3 of them) is that it can apply more stress to the bolt catch you you might break it...

other than that, 100% benefit, particulary on drills and stoppage..
 
Question for those of you that used that device. Can it prevent the bolt from being locked back after the last round is fired in the magazine? If your finger is resting against it? I've never used one, and am just wondering if there are any drawbacks to it?
 
The location of the lever is too far forward to inadvertantly touch it with your trigger finger when it's working the trigger, unless, maybe, if you're wearing bulky gloves.
 
The location of the lever is too far forward to inadvertantly touch it with your trigger finger when it's working the trigger, unless, maybe, if you're wearing bulky gloves.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I dunno. People seem to be able to pull the trigger when their fingers aren't supposed to be inside the trigger guard. I know that it should not happen, but I bet it does.

Like taliv, I don't like foreign objects inside the trigger guard.
 
I realized quickly that it is a solution to a non existing problem and can actually maybe get you killed. I have it on my Noveske N4 for a while now. the lever is getting into the way of my trigger finger going from rest to trigger. I am being forced to loop my trigger finger to skip the lever. Also at times i have to loosen and turn my grip just to put my finger on the trigger. Well others will say then rest your finger on the BAD lever but i've been practicing it and if you are shooting all day it is more comfortable resting your finger on the lower receiver than on the lever. The BAD lever was removed now. Also if you get used to it, if you happen to use other AR, then you can have problems. I realized i have too many accesories on my rifle and making me shoot slower. I will strip them to minimum.
 
Thanks for the review TTU Shooter. I have used many Magpul products and are really impressed with their stuff. I have been thinking about trying one, and maybe I will go ahead and buy one now. Aim usually has competitive prices and I like the free shipping that they offer on lots of their products.
 
Smoothdraw, by that argument a person would have problems with any weapon they picked up that had slightly different lights, sights, stocks, etc. Learn the basics of shooting and you should be able to handle a weapon with anything stuck on it. BAD levers, Redi-Mags, etc are not crutches, they are tools to make working a gun easier. You still need to know the fundamentals.
 
Watched a bit of it. You need a BRIGHT light shining on the weapon. All I see is a black object. Cannot make out any details on the weapon.

I also agree the product seems to be an answer to a question noone asked...
 
I love the BAD levers. They make malfunction drills a breeze. You can get that bolt locked to the rear right or left handed without takeing your hand off the grip.

I don't get how it could be messing with your trigger finger? It deosn't work for everyone. Also we've found that some of the cheaper out of spec AR's don't like the BAD levers. They may not lock back on an empty mag all the time. But we've had good luck with Colt/BCM/LMT's.

Really speeds up my reloads.
 
I also experienced the same interference problem when moving my trigger finger from rest to the trigger face as did smoothdraw. It also interfered with my usual, comfortable trigger finger rest position.
 
Well I bought a Magpul BAD lever from Aim Surplus and received and installed it yesterday. It appears to be another fine product from Magpul and another fine transaction with aim. Thanks TTUShooter for getting me off the fence.
 
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