I've been reading my manual and noticed that it says the only way to feed a round into the chamber after the magazine is put into the gun is to release the bolt catch on the side of the gun after the bolt is locked back by the bolt catch. Is it possible just to release the bolt by the charging handle instead of reaching over to release the bolt catch? I'm a lefty and trying to learn how to modify things a bit. Really hoping this makes sense.

Im pretty sure you can, not that I own one... But have you tried... Trying it??

Say you have a loaded mag in and you're shooting. When you run out of rounds the empty mag catches the bolt and makes it stay open for easier re chambering when reloaded. The bolt release would be the only way to release it. Not sure if there's any left handed mods for that.

But if the bolt is closed and you want to chamber a round. Just pull the charging handle and release.

I'm left handed and I use the charging handle to drop the bolt. Just make sure you do not ride the handle, pull back and release the handle.

Pull back and let her go. Wont hurt a thing.

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SaveLivesKeepCiviliansArmed

Sorry, but this makes no sense to me. I shoot lefty also.

The bolt release is on the left side and the "preferred" method of quickly closing the bolt is to do so with your trigger finger. This way you can close it without changing your grip. This is actually about the only aspect of a normal AR that is advantageous for a lefty... so much so that righty shooters often buy a special lever (NDZ for the 15-22) to allow them to close it with their trigger finger.

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FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

Question is why would you want to do it. I'm sure lots have done it without a problem but there is another thread on the forum where the operator had problems with his AR and was ready to ship it back. He posted and with his answers he found out his problem was he was riding the charging handle and bolt wouldn't go into battery and fire the round. Like RedNeck Jim said if you want to release with your right fingers get the NDZ lever to add to the magazine release.

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Psalm 23:4

Yes u can pull the charging handle back and release the bolt that way if u would prefer. Its up to u as to which way u want to do it. But it will work BOTH ways without a problem.

Since you shoot lefty, I would highly recommend the Norgon Ambi-Catch, which allows you to drop the magazine without re-gripping. It puts a magazine release button on the left side of the gun. I also love my ambi safety, made special for the 15-22. With these products you can shoot just like a righty.

http://www.simpleweaponsolutions.com/products

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FIDELITAS ET FORTITUDO

For me, I would have to break my grip to use the bolt catch paddle, due to the size of my hands. And it makes sense to use my support side hand to drop the bolt with the charging handle since it just finished inserting a mag. The main reason why I don't use the battery assist levers, is that they block my left hand from being able to drop the mag on the left side of the rifle.