Can you name a single platform as adaptable as the AR-15?
I certainly can’t.
The AR-15 started as a relatively simple rifle, but back in the 1960s, it was a piece of space-age technology.
As times changed, so did the rifle. It keeps changing and evolving, and most modern rifles take their design cues from the AR-15.
That’s the good thing about mass production, the products require little craftsmanship, and that allows them to be adaptable en masse.
With the AR-15, the actual legal firearm portion of the firearm is the lower receiver.
Like every other part of the AR-15, the lower has evolved. One of the larger evolutions has been the creation of ambidextrous lowers.
The AR-15 has been more modular than most, but the standard receiver layout has always gone more or less the same way. It also favored righties.
We’ve gathered some of our favorites at a variety of price points and from our favorite manufacturers.
THE QUICK LIST
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Best Billet Option
Rainier Arms AR-15 Ultramatch Mod 3 Billet Ambi Lower & Upper Set
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Best Fully Ambi
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Best Mid-Tier
Table of Contents
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Why an Ambidextrous Lower?
The most obvious answer for using an ambidextrous lower is that you are left-handed. It gives your left-handed shooter the ability to control their rifle like a right-handed shooter.
A major advantage of the AR-15 system is that due to the brass defector and the design of the rifle, even wrong-handed shooters using a right-hand ejection AR-15 won’t get brass in their face.
There is no need to learn an odd or different manual of arms to control your weapon. An ambidextrous lower will grant you the ability to easily manipulate your rifle.
Beyond accommodating lefties, we can also point out that any shooter, regardless of their dominant side, can better control their weapon in various situations.
Modern shooting techniques have seen shooters learning how to shoot better when accommodating for cover. Part of this is learning to shoot around cover and switch shoulders.
Sometimes, it makes sense to switch shoulders to fire around an obstacle and to make the most of your cover.
An ambidextrous lower allows you to establish good cover regardless of your dominant shoulder and still maintain total control over your weapon. Speaking of cover and odd shooting positions, an ambidextrous lower simply offers you more options to get the job done.
If you are in a state like California and you are looking to do a featureless build, then an ambi lower can make handling the rifle much easier due to the different ergonomics attached to featureless builds.
Ambi controls, especially ambi safety levers, are better designed for featureless builds.
Downsides?
Everything has a downside, right? Ambidextrous lowers have a couple, at least two I can think of. The first is going to be the price associated with ambi lowers.
They are certainly a lot more expensive than your standard lower. We live in an age where even extremely high-quality lowers have dropped a lot in price.
Ambi lowers haven’t dropped much in price and are quite expensive. More than that, they are often built by high-end companies that tend to already be on the expensive side.
The only other thing close to a downside is the fact you are going to have to learn how to utilize the ambidextrous controls. You’ll have to retrain to make the most of these controls, but training means more shooting, so I’m not sure how exactly that is a bad thing.
Best Ambidextrous AR-15 Lowers
1. Seekins Precision SP223 Gen 2 Billet Ambi Lower – Most Stylish
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Tensioning screw
- Stylish
- Enlarged trigger guard
Cons
- Not forged
Seekins Precision is well known for its high-end AR parts, and the SP223 Ambi Lower is no exception. For starters, the lower is machined from a solid block of 7075-T6 aluminum.
Enhanced features include an ambidextrous bolt release, an oversized winter trigger guard, and a flared magwell.
A few other things that set this lower apart are the elimination of roll pins in favor of custom dowel pins and the inclusion of a tensioning screw to remove any play between the upper and lower receiver.
The good news? All of this comes in at a relatively reasonable price of under $300, making it one of the more affordable options on this list.
2. Rainier Arms Ultramatch Billet Ambi Lower & Upper Set – Best Billet
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Flared magwell
- Tensioning screw
- Integral trigger guard
Cons
- Not forged
- DIY
A slight step up in the cool factor when it comes to ambi lowers is the Rainier Arms Ultramatch. It’s not a forged upper but a billet cut upper and lower set.
This gives it sharper, cleaner lines and a sleeker overall appearance. Although the Aero model is slightly more expensive, there is an undeniable cool factor when it comes to billet lowers.
The Ultramatch billet lower allows you to install any ambi lower parts you choose, including both standard and 45-degree short-throw safeties.
The lower sports a flared mag well, making reloads slightly faster and more intuitive. It’s a nice touch that I appreciate. Additionally, there is a tensioning screw that will allow for a better upper and lower fit, but if you purchase a quality upper, the fit will probably be solid regardless.
Like most billet uppers, it is made from 7075 aluminum and has an integral trigger guard. It’s finished with black anodization and is perfect for all lefty needs.
3. Lewis Machine and Tool MARS-L Lower Receiver – Best Fully Ambi
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Stripped or complete
- Good ergonomics
- Flared mag well
Cons
- Expensive
Lewis Machine and Tool is a well-respected and well-renowned AR-15 manufacturer that produces some extremely awesome AR-15s. They are always on the cutting edge of weapon development, and the MARS-L lower is a testament to that development.
The MARS-L lower receiver is a fully ambidextrous lower that offers an ambidextrous selector, magazine release, and, of course, an ambi bolt catch and release. Its magazine and bolt catch components are machined into the lower itself.
The MARS-L comes in both stripped and complete variants, but even the stripped variants come with the ambi components installed. Its ambi controls are nearly identical to a standard AR.
The bolt releases are both vertical — separated slightly by placing the right-side bolt release slightly rearward.
The magazine release is placed slightly lower on the left side of the lower. This is about as close as you can get to standard AR controls on an ambidextrous lower receiver.
This is one of the most ergonomic ambidextrous lowers available. It’s expensive but also well made.
4. Radian Weapons A-DAC 15 Ambi Lower – Best Mid-Tier
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Talon Fire controls
- Reliable
- Mid-range pricing
Cons
- Not forged
Bringing a fully ambi lower to the table, the Radian A-DAC 15 is another model the PPT staff digs. It offers up a Talon Ambidextrous Safety Selector, left-side magazine release, and right-side bolt release to deliver options to those who need them.
Billet-machined from 7075-T6 aluminum, the R-15 is a reliable lower that brings a nice touch to any AR-15 build.
What do you think of Radian? Rate them below!
What If I Want to Mod My Regular Lower?
Maybe you already have an AR built and ready, and you love it. You’ve already spent the money to build a great lower receiver, but you want to make it ambidextrous.
The good news is that this is an option. Admittedly, these options are not as intuitive as a true ambidextrous lower, but they do add a good degree of ambidextrous design to any old standard MIL-SPEC lower.
Take note: I said MIL-Spec lower. There are lots of different crazy types of lowers out there, and some of these parts may not fit in polymer lowers, custom-built billet lowers, etc.
Best AR-15 Ambi Conversion Parts
1. Norgon Mag Release
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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The Norgon mag release is the original, often copied, ambidextrous magazine release. It’s easy to install and allows for quick and easy mag swaps with either hand. One side is your normal AR magazine release, allowing you to use something crazy like a Battle Arms Development enhanced mag release.
Installation is easy and is not much different than a standard AR-15 magazine release. Once installed, you’re ready to rock and roll with either hand, and you’ll have no problems as a lefty.
2. Battle Arms Development Safety
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Ambidextrous safeties are all the rage and are the easiest ambidextrous additions to any AR-15. The Battle Arms Development or BAD Safeties come in various configurations and colors. This includes the standard and lightweight models.
The BAD safeties are all ambidextrous and very easy to install. They install like an average selector switch, and then you attach the other side to the main mount with an Allen key. Don’t forget to add Loc-Tite to keep everything good.
3. Knight’s Armament Ambidextrous Safety Kit
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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The BAD safeties are great but a lot of people dislike the fact that left-handed safety portions are smaller than the normal safety lever. Some prefer some; some don’t. If you want two full-sized safety selectors, go with Knight’s Armament.
This Ambi safety kit comes with a short and a long lever, so you still run a shorter lever if you so choose. It drops in and installs very easily. The levers are textured and made of steel.
The Knight’s Armament drop-in safety kit is a quick and easy way to convert your lower to an ambi safety.
4. Troy Ambidextrous Bolt Release
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
The bolt release isn’t as simple as switching out the magazine release and safety. You can machine the receiver and install a PDQ device, or you can install the Troy ambi bolt release.
The Troy Ambi Bolt Release replaces the standard bolt release and then pushes a lever into the trigger guard.
A simple press of this lever shoots the bolt closed. The lever sits inside the trigger guard and makes it easy for either hand to accentuate the bolt release. A simple movement of your trigger finger makes it easy to send the bolt home.
Final Thoughts
While there are plenty of complete ambi rifles on the market, it’s still nice to have options — especially if you’re building your own AR-15.
With any of the options listed above, you’re in good hands.
Are ambi lowers worth it to you? Let us know below! For more awesome ways of improving your AR-15, take a look at the Best AR-15 Upgrades!
Latest Updates
September 2024: Removed Knights Armament SR-15 IWS and Ambi Safety
23 Leave a Reply
Best way to go in my opinion (cheap and reliable). Unbranded ambi lower, cmmg ambi mag release, radian ambi short throw safety.
Unbranded AR has a decent lower with ambi bolt releast
As most in the comments are Mentioning ADM is top shelf in the Ambi game! Now it’s really hard to leave out two of the great innovators like SLR with their B15 Ambi set and V Seven’s Sovereign Ambi Set! Both push boundaries with materials and cuts. I know this list is not conclusive, but Aero is a peasant in the game of Ambi to ADM, SLR, V Seven, Nemo, heck even new comers like Andro Corps.
How in the world is an ADAC lower mid-tier?
I'm surprised you didn't mention the KP-15, the core of the What Would Stoner Do project. Stripped lowers are $80 and it's a lot easier to cut out the polymer for the PDQ lever than an aluminum lower AND you don't have to refinish it where you cut. Best guess this is a really old article that was reposted without updates.
Conversion part #5's link is for Troy's ambi mag release, not their ambi bolt release. Also, Troy's ambi bolt release doesn't replace the standard bolt catch, it just attaches to the existing bolt catch's paddle, similar to Magpul's B.A.D. lever - "BAD" being exactly right for both, as placing controls inside the trigger guard is an accident waiting to happen. If you're going to convert a standard lower, the PDQ lever is a much better option.
PWS builds quality firearms and their MK1 Mod 2-M rifles with ambi-controls are fantastic and deserve to be on this list.
I have had time behind alot of these lowers and I own more then one of them and I can tell you, of the 2 actually full ambi lowers on this list LMT Mars lower is SHIT, sorry fan bois, but the ambi mag release on every single one I have seen barely works or does not work at all, it is a design flaw in that type of mag release. Knights lowers are not full ambi, no ambi bolt catch, so they should not be on the list, same with Rainer arms, Radian lower is Actually quite nice and most will be happy with it, with alittle training. But the cream of the crop Ambi lowers on the market right now, are not on this list.
In no specific order here they are, for people ACTUALLY looking for quality products.
POF-USA GEN 4 LOWER
LWRCI Ambi LOWER
ADM UIC ambi Lower
Radian ADAC Ambi lower
That's it, the rest are either NOT true Ambi lowers, not Ar15s(new sig spear lt lower), or not any where near the quality, and design ergonomics as these four. I own alot of High-End rifles, I am not just talking out my ass, If You want to buy QUALITY, and You are looking for a TRUE Ambi lower, these are the four to stick with. Dont listen to this list in the article, they are WRONG.
Agree with your list but would add the SiiCo SCO15. Add an am I mag release, and it’s a nice deal on a quality and fully ambi lower. I still think the ADM is the top with POF and Radian offering my next up choices if I just have money to burn.
All these are nice, and the LMT is a true ambi warfighter...
But how on earth can you make a list like this and completely ignore the
1. American Defense Mfg ambi lower - arguably the best billet lower.
2. Forward Control Designs/Sons of Liberty Gun Works ambi lower - arguably the best billet lower.
3. SilencerCo's Billet ambi lower.
The Aero's ME41 is great, but it doesnt have an Ambi-Bolt Catch/Release.
Thats just half-assed Ambi, not full ambi.
Thats some Democrat Fully Semi-Auto %*&^, cmon Pew Pew Tactical!
It's 3 guns, and you want clicks/time on page, right?
Sons of liberty/FCD is not a TRUE ambi lower. No ambi bolt catch, and actually the Aero precision DOES have a Ambi bolt catch and release, the article is confusing, because they show pictures of more then one kind of Aero percision lower. But Aero Does have a full ambi lower, and it IS pictured above. Hope this helps clear things up for you. BTW, you are correct this list is shite.
The article links lead to a search page at Aero's site, and I'm so far unable to find an ambi lower there. I would appreciate if the author, the editor, or you would kindly share the link, name, SKU, or some other way to find the elusive item you say is among those pictured above.
Hey my friend I just looked on Aero Percisions website, I also did not see the lower in question, so they might have discontinued it....BUT DO NOT FEAR, because with a simple Google search I FOUND IT. But they won't let me put links in the comments. So Google "aero precision ambi lower" then go to images and you will find them.
>no KP-15
my brother in christ this is maidenless behavior
ADM > *
Why is radian left out
Hey Danny, nothing against Radian at all, though! Unfortunately, we can't get every model into the list, or else it would be quite long.
No Radian or ADM? What a joke.
If Only I could find any of them available anywhere.
Juggernaut tactical has a pretty sick ambi
Being a Lefty, every part of my builds are ambi/lefty focused. Iḿ always looking for ambi parts before I start any builds, they are usually the hardest to find of the project!
I agree. I'm the only lefty in my family, but I want them to handle the firearms as well. So ambi is my top priority. On my first build I notched the lower to accept an ambi bolt catch. It works ok -- I don't think I gave enough clearance and it drags a bit. So I think I will just buy the Aero for my next build.
Spikes tactical also has an ambi lower.