Being that the 15-22 bolt catch is polymer and appears to have a specific tang that serves to lock the bolt back while fitting the 15-22 mag, has anyone tried upgrading the bolt catch to a mil-spec metal part? Will a standard AR bolt catch work with the 15-22 bolt and mag?

There are a number of 15-22 lower parts that appear mil-spec at first glance but are actually slightly different (safety, rear takedown pin, bolt catch). Really, the trigger group is the only standard mil-spec group of parts.

The bolt catch is steel and is so different from the standard AR that you cannot swap them out.

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Buy cheap, pay twice.

Seemed like the ping-pong paddle was steel, but that the "catch" felt polymer, although it is one piece.

I am looking for an alternative to the Magpul BAD since it doesn't fit with reshaping it, and even still the mag release tends to bump the BAD, sending the bolt into battery.

Just wanted to check out the possibility of using a mil-spec bolt catch.

1. The bolt stops are vastly different.

2. The Magpul BAD is a gimmick that you'll be finding a way to remove before Day 2 of a three day professional carbine course. There's a reason the bolt stop has a big pad on top, just slap it with the heel of your hand regardless of wearing gloves or not. Or retract the charging handle and release. Both are gross motor skills.

It's entirely possible that there are now more useless gimmicks for the M16/AR15 -- all marketed as "tactical," of course -- than there ever were for the M1911... Why are they made? Simply because guys will buy them. It's all about marketing, not utility.

-- Chuck

I have been using a Magpul BAD for over 18 months and have taken two carbine courses in that time. What works for some people may not work for others, but I happen to like the concept of this device and I have incorporated it into my workflow--it works for me.

I am interested in learning whether anyone has tried replacing the factory part. I have the punches and the parts to try it but I was hoping someone went there already. This is probably impossible since there is a significant difference in the height of the bolt catch face on the 15-22 part.

What would be cool is if someone machined a 15-22 steel bolt catch with an integral battery assist device lever with proper clearance of the mag release lever and trigger well.

I agree that some items are made for just separating the money from your wallet. But the B.A.D. lever is not one of them. I have been shooting AR's for a while and I am at least 1/2 sec. faster on a reload than the guy without it. Now with that said, I'm not in the Military fighting the Taliban, but on a training course on a Police range, that 1/2 sec. can mean life or death in a CQB situation. Again you have to train, train, train with it to become efficient, so just adding the lever isn't going to fix the lack of training... Do your homework and pick what works.. Keep an eye on the snake oil out there for sure...

Take a good carbine course and see if your gimmicks are still working at the end of the day. If your "BAD" device is still working well for you after three days leave it in there, but you may prove the exception. The amount of stuff that gets taken off carbines (and pistols) during these courses is sometimes amazing. Sometimes at lunch the first day.

But I don't discount "stubborn" here. For example, there are still guys carrying Beretta M9/M92 pistols (and fumbling with the slide safety and 10 pound DA trigger) after a 3-day pistol course even though grandmothers have been out-handling and out-shooting them with Glocks and M&Ps for 2-1/2 days.

KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid).

-- Chuck

And put on some sensible shoes, and cut your hair!

Been there, done that--using a Phase V Tactical lever (like the BAD) on a carbine I built myself during in an EAG Tactical carbine course and another 2-day carbine course by FPF Training--no issues and my SA XD40 ran flawlessly too.

Just so you've proven the system for yourself.

Too many Barbie For Boys gimmicks end up on AR15 rifles.

-- Chuck

Millions of servicemen/women have been using AR rifles for decades without wannabe gadgets and gizmos like the BAD lever. They've done just fine.

Also, I love how people will waste money "upgrading" parts on their guns to "mil-spec". That term is so overused now it has almost no meaning, except to the two companies that actually have access to the military specifications for the M16/M4. That's right, two. The junk you buy from DPMS or Spike's is not "mil-spec".