Gun Gear: Magpul B.A.D Lever

Make: Magpul
Model: B.A.D Lever (Battery Assist Device)

I had been eager to try Magpul's BAD Lever as it provides for ambidextrous release of the bolt catch and the ability to use two hands is always better than just one (which reminds me, I really need to install an ambi safety.)

Installation takes less than five minutes.  There's the lever itself along with a back piece that fits around the ping-pong paddle of the stock bolt catch.  You screw them in place (the screw comes with Loctite already on the threads) and you're done.

Mechanically speaking, it works perfectly, and you'd expect nothing less from Magpul.  It's a simple finger press downward and to the left to release the bolt, or you can manipulate it upward and to the right to lock the bolt in place.

Theory vs practice
So in theory it absolutely works as advertised.  In practice, however, you could classify working this small lever with one finger as a very fine motor skill.  It's simple and effective, but it's still a single finger pushing a small lever.  Compare this to slapping the ping-pong paddle with your left palm, which is a rather gross motor skill and almost hard to get wrong.

I compare it to manipulating the slide release on a pistol versus racking the entire slide with your weak hand.  If you were taught to rack the slide with your weak hand so that you're not relying on finding and manipulating a small lever in a high stress moment, then you may also be the kind of person who would not want to rely on the BAD Lever under fire.

Options, options, options
But it's important to point out that installing the BAD Lever does not inhibit the functionality of the ping-pong paddle in any way.  You can still continue to use your left hand to manipulate the bolt catch if you so desire, and that to me is what makes the BAD Lever a good addition to the rifle: it simply gives you more options.  If you're in a situation where it's better to use your right finger to work the BAD, it's there.  If you're in a situation where you need to slap the ping-pong paddle instead, that option is still there, too.

Practice makes perfect
While operating the BAD Lever is push-button easy, it almost goes without saying that you should still take time to train with it and not confuse ease-of-use with efficiency-of-use.  For example, on one of my first range trips with the BAD Lever installed, I discovered that I had a tendency to rest my finger too close the lever whenever I'd take it off the trigger to reload.  During one mag change, I accidentally put too much pressure on the lever, and dropped the bolt closed before I'd put in my fresh mag. 

But since then I've spent considerable range time with it, and it's graduated from being simply a nifty add-on feature to becoming a truly integral part of the rifle.