Why we like these:
Having an extended bolt release can be helpful for both releasing the bold under stress, and for having a larger paddle on the bottom for when you need to lock the bolt back.
Forward Control Design's 'All Angles' dimpled texture has quickly become our favorite. The larger size and the better texture make this a home run for us.
While they do make a 'rearward' and 'forward' biased version, we opted for the standard 'centered' version for our shop.
Official Description From Forward Controls Design:
ABC/R (Augmented Bolt Catch/Release) with its angled and larger top paddle and lower paddle with increased surface area, is purpose designed for use with AR15/M16 receivers equipped with ambidextrous magazine releases. Specifically, it is designed to address the difficulty with accessing the factory bolt catch's lower paddle with an ambidextrous magazine catch, such as Norgon's Ambi-Catch, on the receiver. Many of the ambidextrous mag release's lower paddle is on the same vertical plane as the factory bolt catch lower paddle, making identification difficult by feel, especially with a gloved hand.
The ABC/R's chief effort is focused on that single issue. The lower paddle protrudes further, and is angled at 10 degrees to give it even more surface area. These measures put the lower paddle and Ambi-Catch's paddle on different vertical planes. That done, we worked on the top paddle. While we don't use it ourselves, preferring to pull back on the charging handle instead to load and reload, we do recognize far more users use it, so the ABC/R's top paddle is made larger, and given a 5 degree angle at the lower 50%, and 10 degree angle at the upper 50% cant. The angled paddle makes it easier for the palm or thumb to access.
The notch immediately above the ABC/R’s lower paddle isn’t there by accident. As you run your finger down the bolt catch towards the lower paddle, the notch is meant to provide tactile feedback to indicate the beginning of the lower paddle. It is important be able to differentiate one control surface from another, all without diverting one's gaze to it.
The "butterfly" lower paddle's horizontal extension increases the lower paddle's surface area, but stops short of reaching the bottom of the bolt catch in order to create a stand off distance between the extension and an ambidextrous magazine catch's lever. It is our opinion and observation that close proximity of two control surfaces is best avoided. The butterfly lower paddle has increased surface area, and doesn't interfere with an ambi mag catch's lever.
Machined from billet 8620 alloy steel and heat treated with DLC finish. The ABC/R v3 is proudly designed and made in the USA.
*Please note the ABC/R is not designed for use with 9mm Recievers
*This version will not be compatible with LMT MARS Lowers
