RFI: Ambi Safety recommendations for a Southpaw

[GyroF-16]

I’d like your recommendations for an ambidextrous AR safety that’s easily configured for left-handed operations (that is, a long lever on the right side of the frame).
I’m putting together a 9” .300 BLK AR pistol, and want an easily-manipulated safety with my left hand.
My other ARs have the Geissele “Super Selectable” safety, with the long lever on the right. For commonality, I think I’d like something that feels very similar, but am open to suggestions for something that’s even better. For commonality, I’m not interested in any “short-throw” levers. I’d prefer a shorter, maybe thinner lever on the “off” (left) side to keep it clear of my trigger finger.
I’m pretty new to ARs, so I don’t know what I don’t know - so please help me learn what good ideas are out there.
I’m trying to make the .300 BLK gun visually distinctive by using FDE furniture, so a safety that’s available with FDE levers would be appealing.
I’d like to keep it $50 or less, if possible.

Here’s what I’m looking at right now:

https://www.primaryarms.com/p-o-f-usa-ambi-safety-selector-switch?page=4
Which looks a lot like the Geissele, but with long levers on both sides (not ideal) for $26 plus shipping

https://www.opticsplanet.com/cmmg-ambidextrous-safety-selector-kit.html
Very similar to the one above, but from more of a “known quantity” company for $31 with free shipping

https://www.opticsplanet.com/radian-weapons-talon-ambidextrous-45-90-safety-selector.html?_iv_code=RDW-FSS-TALAMFSS-R0020
This has great reviews, but is a little less “stock” looking, so less similar to the Geissele. And it’s available in FDE for $47.45 shipped.

[dontshakepandas]

The only one you listed that I have experience with is the Radian. They are very good and most people using them are very happy.

I actually just switched all of my guns to the Forward Controls Design ASF and like them a bit better than the Radian.

Like everything from FCD the fit and finish is really great. The rotation action just feels a bit smoother, the detent more positive, and the installation method is more durable.

The link below is for the 90 degree version, but I went with the 50 degree version.

https://www.forwardcontrolsdesign.com/ASF-90Q-semi-auto-90-degrees-q-levers_p_227.html

You can find them cheaper at other retailers, but most only stock the right handed optimized setup.

At full retail is it worth almost two Talons? Meh, probably not, but I don’t regret the upgrade at all.

[GyroF-16]

The only one you listed that I have experience with is the Radian. They are very good and most people using them are very happy.

I actually just switched all of my guns to the Forward Controls Design ASF and like them a bit better than the Radian.

Like everything from FCD the fit and finish is really great. The rotation action just feels a bit smoother, the detent more positive, and the installation method is more durable.

The link below is for the 90 degree version, but I went with the 50 degree version.

https://www.forwardcontrolsdesign.com/ASF-90Q-semi-auto-90-degrees-q-levers_p_227.html

You can find them cheaper at other retailers, but most only stock the right handed optimized setup.

At full retail is it worth almost two Talons? Meh, probably not, but I don’t regret the upgrade at all.

Thanks for the recommendation! If they’d had ones with a short left lever in stock, I’d probably have pulled the trigger even at the additional cost. I’ll have to look around a bit so see if someone else has them.
Or just go with the FDE Radian...

BTW- were you the guy there with his wife at the HiTS class last weekend? Or the guy sitting just to their right?
You’re the only P-F player that I wasn’t able to identify.

[dontshakepandas]

Thanks for the recommendation! If they’d had ones with a short left lever in stock, I’d probably have pulled the trigger even at the additional cost. I’ll have to look around a bit so see if someone else has them.
Or just go with the FDE Radian...

BTW- were you the guy there with his wife at the HiTS class last weekend? Or the guy sitting just to their right?
You’re the only P-F player that I wasn’t able to identify.

You won’t be disappointed with the Radian... especially if you really want the FDE. My main reason for switching was wanting a more positive detent with the short throw. At 90 degrees I don’t feel like that’s quite as important.

I was actually sitting at the far left of the classroom (viewing from the rear). I was running a G45 with an RMR and a Phlster Enjgma.

[Trigger]

Here is what I use on several rifles:

https://www.battlearmsdevelopment.com/shop/product/bad-ass-pro-fa-bad-ass-pro-full-auto-ambidextrous-safety-selector-4443?category=14#attr=

I like them. Safety off with thumb. Safety on with trigger finger. Gets booger hook off the bang switch and out of the trigger guard area when reapplying safety.

[DDTSGM]

You are going to laugh. I bought a bunch of these to put on rifles I built for relatives. Turns out they worked fine for me as well. I'm a lefty and run the scalloped lever on the left side and the traditional lever on the right side. At less than $15.00 who can complain.

https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/JBO-AR-15-Ambidextrous-Safety-Selector-p/jb-ambi-safety.htm

My recipe - for these and most any safety regardless of who makes it:

KNS Safety Detents - https://www.knsprecisioninc.com/product/safety-detent/ (Duffy, the owner of Forward Controls Design, recommended them to me several years ago).

Pack the cutouts on the barrel of the safety with Brian Enos Slide Gide.

Green sleeve retainer on the right side lever's allen screw. Blue on the left.

Safe-Fire until I get tired. If it still feels too stiff - one coil at a time off the spring.

[HeavyDuty]

Here is what I use on several rifles:

https://www.battlearmsdevelopment.com/shop/product/bad-ass-pro-fa-bad-ass-pro-full-auto-ambidextrous-safety-selector-4443?category=14#attr=

I like them. Safety off with thumb. Safety on with trigger finger. Gets booger hook off the bang switch and out of the trigger guard area when reapplying safety.

The Battle Arms Development selector has been my standard for many years now.

[GyroF-16]

That does look like a great deal for fully configurable ambi safety- I’m going to bookmark it for future reference.

Now - YOU are going to laugh. While installing other parts on my new .300 BLK build, I came across an extra Geissele “Super Configurable” safety that I’d forgotten I had (in the “AR parts box”).
So, since one of my desired outcomes was to be “similar to the Geissele safeties on my other ARs”, I think I’ve met my objective!
This new 8” build has a Aero upper and a PSA lower, but the grip, ambi charging handle, bold release, and safety will be identical to the other 2 ARs in the collection.

I appreciate all the input, and hopefully others will benefit from this thread.


You are going to laugh. I bought a bunch of these to put on rifles I built for relatives. Turns out they worked fine for me as well. I'm a lefty and run the scalloped lever on the left side and the traditional lever on the right side. At less than $15.00 who can complain.

https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/JBO-AR-15-Ambidextrous-Safety-Selector-p/jb-ambi-safety.htm

My recipe - for these and most any safety regardless of who makes it:

KNS Safety Detents - https://www.knsprecisioninc.com/product/safety-detent/ (Duffy, the owner of Forward Controls Design, recommended them to me several years ago).

Pack the cutouts on the barrel of the safety with Brian Enos Slide Gide.

Green sleeve retainer on the right side lever's allen screw. Blue on the left.

Safe-Fire until I get tired. If it still feels too stiff - one coil at a time off the spring.

[DDTSGM]

Now - YOU are going to laugh. While installing other parts on my new .300 BLK build, I came across an extra Geissele “Super Configurable” safety that I’d forgotten I had (in the “AR parts box”). So, since one of my desired outcomes was to be “similar to the Geissele safeties on my other ARs”, I think I’ve met my objective!


I've done that before - bought a bunch of Geissle carbon steel gas blocks from ALG on sale and hung them on the peg board over the cleaning bench. Forgot they were there and ordered a couple more. Kind of fun how extra parts become new rifles you don't need.

[spelingmastir]

I have used Battle Arms CASS selectors on some lowers and they are fine but are now using Radian ones as I like that they use a detent and no screws.

[Wayne Dobbs]

Coming from a long time LH shooter, I like the Battle Arms Development selectors and have had great luck with them.

[Erick Gelhaus]

Battle Arms Development here as well.

[TCB]

4x ARs 4x BAD safety’s. I like the std on the L & short on the R (both normal thickness) (RH shooter). Been using them for many years.

[WobblyPossum]

I’ve used the Battle Arms Development ASS and CASS and the Radian Talon. I prefer the BAD-CASS but not enough that I would pay to replace my other ambi safeties. If I was putting together another lower, I’d probably get the new BAD levers mentioned earlier.

[P226SAOFan]

I know you want ambi, but one option for lefties is the factory colt selector that is single side only but it’s reversible. That’s what I usually use.

[Trigger]

I've done that before - bought a bunch of Geissle carbon steel gas blocks from ALG on sale and hung them on the peg board over the cleaning bench. Forgot they were there and ordered a couple more. Kind of fun how extra parts become new rifles you don't need.

I thought it was a rule that if you have extra AR parts, you have to build another rifle/pistol to use them.

[HeavyDuty]

I thought it was a rule that if you have extra AR parts, you have to build another rifle/pistol to use them.

It’s true - I once had a selector and bolt stop morph into a new AR.

[GyroF-16]

I thought it was a rule that if you have extra AR parts, you have to build another rifle/pistol to use them.

Yeah - I guess that’s kind of what I did. Actually, I guess I just ordered a 300 BLK upper “to swap onto this 5.56 gun when I want to shoot 300 BLK”.
Then it sort of grew it’s own lower receiver, BCG, RDS, etc.
Maybe I shouldn’t look in the “AR Parts” box again for a while...

[guymontag]

I know you want ambi, but one option for lefties is the factory colt selector that is single side only but it’s reversible. That’s what I usually use.

I’ve had good luck with Colt reversible and with Radian.

[CSW]

You are going to laugh. I bought a bunch of these to put on rifles I built for relatives. Turns out they worked fine for me as well. I'm a lefty and run the scalloped lever on the left side and the traditional lever on the right side. At less than $15.00 who can complain.

https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/JBO-AR-15-Ambidextrous-Safety-Selector-p/jb-ambi-safety.htm

My recipe - for these and most any safety regardless of who makes it:

KNS Safety Detents - https://www.knsprecisioninc.com/product/safety-detent/ (Duffy, the owner of Forward Controls Design, recommended them to me several years ago).

Pack the cutouts on the barrel of the safety with Brian Enos Slide Gide.

Green sleeve retainer on the right side lever's allen screw. Blue on the left.

Safe-Fire until I get tired. If it still feels too stiff - one coil at a time off the spring.

I'll back up that the JoeBob's safeties are pretty good kit. I've used several in my left handed endeavors.