M&P 15 MOE Spec Magpul Lower BAD Lever issue

[TocSin]

I know this has been talked about in the past but didn't want to resurrect a year old thread. The MOE spec Magpul lower has "finger trays" to rest your index finger on on both sides of the receiver. Because of this, the Magpul BAD lever can't be mounted as it his the shelf on the left side of the rifle.

Has anyone found a fix for this? In looking at the Troy BAD lever, it looks like it is more offset from the receiver than the Magpul - has anyone tried it?

[rbuzz]

I'm including two pictures of my rifle to prove that you can install the Magpul BAD lever on a S&W M&P MOE, but you must make a couple of easy modifications to the BAD lever first. It sounds more complicated than it really is, but what you have to do is to change two bend angles of the BAD lever to allow it to clear the flared magwell. The BAD lever is made from an aluminum alloy and can be easily bent slightly without heat to allow it to fit. It can easily be done with 2 pairs of pliers and a little masking tape applied to the lever to avoid damage to the finish. On the picture below I placed 3 arrows. Working first on the upper red arrow area first wrap the lever in masking tape above and below the bend at the arrow. Then while gripping the lever above the upper red arrow on the straight section, take the second pliers and grip the lever about a half inch below the arrow. Bend the lever in the direction of the arrow. You can then test fit the lever on the rifle to see if it operates and still clears the flare on the magwell. You will see that the lower portion of the lever near the second red arrow will not fit correctly but you can adjust that once you have the first bend done.
Once you are satisfied with the first bend, then you can make a similar bend to the section of the lever marked by the green arrow. Just grip the lever above and below the curve in the lever pointed to by the green arrow and bend in the direction of the second red arrow. You may have to check your work a couple of times to see if you have re contoured your BAD lever to fit. If necessary go back and adjust the bends you have made. Check the pictures of the BAD lever and compare the angles of the bend in the before picture and in the after picture. I apologize for the second picture is a little crude, but I think it gets across what I am trying to say.
Like I said before this is actually easier than it sounds and you can make the modifications without applying heat to the lever or making any modifications to the rifle. It allows the Magpul BAD lever to operate perfectly and it looks as if it were made for the rifle.

[rbuzz]

I just wanted to update my reply to the question about installing the BAD lever on a M&P MOE. I've taken off my BAD lever to better show the contour of the lever after modifying it. Once again, it's a simple job.

[pgamboa]

Is this the case for both the 15-22 and MP15 MOE versions?


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[pgamboa]

Also, you might want to include a side by side comparison photo for those interested in doing this. Great detail in your mod!


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[rbuzz]

Thanks for the suggestion pgamboa. I'm including pictures of the side by side comparison of a stock BAD lever and one of my modified BAD lever. I think you can see that the modified lever has a lot more curvature near the bottom. This is what allows it to flare out over the raised magwell portion of the receiver.
I also wish that the Magpul BAD lever would work on my 15-22, but I don't see any way for it to work. I've also included side by side pictures of my M&P 15 MOE and my 15-22 MOE. As you can see the location of the bolt catch in relations to the trigger guard on the 15-22 is not the same as on the M&P 15. Instead of being positioned over the forward edge of the trigger guard, the bolt catch on the 15-22 is located approximately 5/16" forward of the trigger guard. I don't see anyway to modify a Magpul BAD lever to work on the 15-22. NDZ makes their version of the BAD lever, which they call the SBR, to fit the 15-22. I haven't tried that yet, but have seen good reviews of it.

[pgamboa]

Excellent description of the issue! I see now what you are explaining. Great work!


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[TocSin]

Thanks so much Rbuzz! That is extremely helpful. Love the rifle, but really wanted to have a bad lever on it. Will definitely mod one up.

Damn fine rifle you have there too!

[The Wrench]

Phase 5's version works without modification and its a one piece design. Of course, the one piece design requires you to partially remove the roll pin, which is a pain...

[rbuzz]

I'm just curious. I checked the Phase 5 website and couldn't find the answer, but do you know for certain that the Phase 5 version of the BAD lever will fit the M&P MOE version without modification? The reason that this particular rifle is difficult to fit it because it has a raised "finger shelf" (pointed to by arrow) above the trigger area on both sides. I don't know of any other AR15 lower that has this feature, but I may be wrong.
The Phase 5 lever is a unique design, but from the pictures that I have seen of it, it doesn't seem to have the contour at the bottom to fit over this finger shelf.
I don't mean to question your comment, but I couldn't find anything on their website to confirm that it will fit a MOE version.

[The Wrench]

I promise.

EBRV2 is installed on my M&P MOE as we speak. Unless you have the correct roll pin punch, plan on some frustrating moments.

I'm way too confident in my inability to upload pictures, or I'd offer to snap a couple and post 'em.

[saintsauto]

Rbuzz, thanks for posting this solution to a unique problem. Very helpful and answered my questions on applying heat or not. Used your pics and bent it perfectly on first try.

[MikeyT]

New to the forum and have to admit that the posts above proved to be invaluable. I received my BAD lever the other day only to be disappointed when it wouldn't operate properly upon initial install. I stumbled across this forum post and followed the steps outlined above. Now it works perfectly. Just had to use a bit of automotive touch up paint on the spots where the vice grips slipped through the protective cloth I used. Thanks so much for the info and making me realize I didn't waste 30 bucks.

[little_airwolf]

Does the lever have enough strength to hold the bolt back when charging the handle with your non trigger hand?
I hate having to switch grips when clearing jams. So can I push up on the lever just like an AR?

[JaPes]

The lever doesn't hold the bolt back. The bolt stop catch does. The lever affixes to the bolt stop catch "paddle" and provides you other options for operating the bolt stop catch. Assuming you're right handed, operate the bolt stop catch with your off hand as normal. If you're using your strong hand, use your trigger finger to push upwards on the lever to engage the bolt stop catch. Push down to release the bolt into battery.

YouTube

[jkasch]

Slightly OT, but has any one compared the Magpul to the Troy BAD lever? (Especially if they've made the comparison on the MOE Mid.)

[Kadonny]

I'm just going to say I love my BAD lever and wont have an AR without one. I can see in military situations where it wouldn't be needed, but in target and general home use its essential in my eyes. Try to engage that bolt catch without it and with no mag in.....big PIA.

Ps: great mod to fit the MOE.

[78Staff]

In the here's another way dept... tried the bad lever and just didn't care for all the excessive wobble it generates due to the increased leverage on the pivot point. In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't hurt anything, but it was annoying as heck...

Another solution is the Blue Teal ambi bolt catch/release. Now, you may not like this b/c it requires either using a compatible lower (I use an Aero Precision), or slotting your existing lower. Personally I wouldn't cut a slot into my M&P, but if you had a Spikes, PA, or other low cost lower that would be a prime target. Or, you could get a compatible lower like the Aero...

Anyway, it's rock solid, performs both bolt catch and bolt release functions, and smokes the various "BAD" levers on the market, imo.

Teal Blue Bravo LLC

AR15 Ambidextrous Lower Receiver Blem - Aero Precision

[Kadonny]

Originally Posted by 78Staff

In the here's another way dept... tried the bad lever and just didn't care for all the excessive wobble it generates due to the increased leverage on the pivot point. In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't hurt anything, but it was annoying as heck...

Another solution is the Blue Teal ambi bolt catch/release. Now, you may not like this b/c it requires either using a compatible lower (I use an Aero Precision), or slotting your existing lower. Personally I wouldn't cut a slot into my M&P, but if you had a Spikes, PA, or other low cost lower that would be a prime target. Or, you could get a compatible lower like the Aero...

Anyway, it's rock solid, performs both bolt catch and bolt release functions, and smokes the various "BAD" levers on the market, imo.

Teal Blue Bravo LLC

AR15 Ambidextrous Lower Receiver Blem - Aero Precision

Wow, that is a great product too, I like it. But as you said, unless you want to alter your lower or buy a pre slotted one, it's really not an option for most of us. Great looking product though.

[78Staff]

Originally Posted by Kadonny

Wow, that is a great product too, I like it. But as you said, unless you want to alter your lower or buy a pre slotted one, it's really not an option for most of us. Great looking product though.

Agreed, it's a different solution. I originally put my S&W/Troy upper on the Aero lower (which is pic below), but have since picked up a BCM KMR upper and put that on the Aero, which allowed me to mate the S&W/Troy pieces back up .