Quick AR build question

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Citadel99

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I bought some stripped lowers from Aero (M4E1) to build out in .300 BLK for my boys to shoot.

apar600004c-m4e1-stripped-lower-receiver-texas-fde-1.jpg

I noticed they have the short throw setup for the selector switch. Do I look for a 60 degree or 45 degree selector for this?

Mark
 
Looks like a 90 degree selector to me, from the position of the markings.

In any case, the selector detent should be at the 6 o'clock position. The selector throw is a function of the selector itself, not of the lower receiver. But if you installed a 45 degree selector, for example, the markings wouldn't line up.
 
This is from their description: Marked and milled to accept short-throw safety selectors, but will work with standard selectors as well.
 
:confused: You got me there if it reads like that. Maybe email Aero and see what they say.
 
The angular span of the selector is determined by the selector itself. The lower has no bearing on how far it can turn. The receiver only holds the detent pin and spring, while the indexing detent mortises and the grooved track for the detent are cut into the selector switch barrel. Any selector will work with that receiver, but it may not point to the logos.

45 or 60 degree switches are very nice. Worth the money to me. Ambidextrous as well.

Looking at those engravings, the standard 90deg selector will line up with the orthogonal edges (up and horizontal), while a short throw would run basically even with the horizontal edge when on safe, but point about to the center of the fire indicator when disengaged.

You’re overthinking this - it will work with any selector you might buy. But buy an ambidextrous short throw...
 
It's not so much a function question but as I am building these ones for my boys, 11 and 8, so I want to make sure they line up nicely for visual inspection.

Do you have preference on the short throws? I've only built them out with the standard previously.

Mark
 
Found this on another site, 60 degree magpul. Personally I think a standard 90 degree selector would line up with them just as clearly, I wouldn't waste my money.

20131126_194055_zps071ce722.jpg

20131126_194107_zps8483801b.jpg

20131126_194047_zps58c0b249.jpg

20131126_194121_zpse86bbb25.jpg
 
Just got this back from Aero:

Hello Mark,
Thank you for reaching out to us. our M4E1 lowers are cut with a a short throw lever in mind however a standard safety will work as well, in fact it will line up at the outer edge of the mill work. that being said for a perfect short throw that will line up center of each section you will use a 45 degree selector


Mark
 
if it were me and i wanted it to line up with the images, i would go with the 60* lever. seems like the 45* would almost point between the two images in the "fire" position. the images posted by someguy2800 look perfect to me.
 
Found this on another site, 60 degree magpul.
That one seems to look OK, but a 45 degree selector would indicate right on the line between "fire" and "safe," when set to "fire." This could cause confusion for someone who was unfamiliar with the setup. They might think the rifle was safe when it wasn't.

Frankly I don't see anything wrong with the standard 90 degree selector. Compare that to the 180 degree selector that came with my Daewoo K2. Now that was awkward. (I replaced that with a StormWerkz 90 degree selector.)

ETA: Based on what Aero said, the 45 degree selector must not be horizontal when in the "safe" position. If that indeed is the case, it might look OK as well.
 
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It's not so much a function question but as I am building these ones for my boys, 11 and 8, so I want to make sure they line up nicely for visual inspection.

Do you have preference on the short throws? I've only built them out with the standard previously.

Mark

For a kid, a 90 degree throw will give more positive confirmation. More disparity between on and off than a 60 throw.

That said, my 5yr old’s AR has a 60 degree throw.

I like the Seekins selectors. They offer multiple colors, might be good if you want high visibility to use the red version.
 
For a kid, a 90 degree throw will give more positive confirmation. More disparity between on and off than a 60 throw.

That said, my 5yr old’s AR has a 60 degree throw.

I like the Seekins selectors. They offer multiple colors, might be good if you want high visibility to use the red version.

I was kinda curious about that. I would think a 90 would be better for them to understand when it’s on and off but thought mabey a kid with small hands would have an easier time getting it back on with a 60.
 
I was kinda curious about that. I would think a 90 would be better for them to understand when it’s on and off but thought mabey a kid with small hands would have an easier time getting it back on with a 60.

Yup - exactly the same thought process I go through. Neither are a “wrong answer.”

I do find that most of the kids I start are young enough such their hands are small enough their thumb doesn’t reach the switch and they don’t have the hand strength to work the selector with their thumb, so having the ambidextrous switch is a big advantage. Otherwise kids will naturally reach back with their left, support hand, to operate the selector, losing some control on the rifle. The Ambi switch gives them control on the same side as their trigger hand, so they can push it off with their index finger, then bring it back on with their index as well - or simply bump it up with the edge of their palm web if you use a 60deg. So EVERYTHING I build gets an ambi.
 
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