Forward Controls Design Augmented Bolt Catch/Release, 5.56mm, upper paddle

Forward Controls Design Augmented Bolt Catch/Release, 5.56mm, upper paddle (ABC/R v3, FB, RB, AA, FB/AA, RB/AA, 5.56)

ABC/R (Augmented Bolt Catch/Release) with its angled and larger top paddle and lower paddle with increased surface area, is purpose designed for use with AR15/M16 receivers equipped with ambidextrous magazine releases. Specifically, it is designed to address the difficulty with accessing the factory bolt catch's lower paddle with an ambidextrous magazine catch, such as Norgon's Ambi-Catch, on the receiver. Many of the ambidextrous mag release's lower paddle is on the same vertical plane as the factory bolt catch lower paddle, making identification difficult by feel, especially with a gloved hand.

The ABC/R's chief effort is focused on that single issue. The lower paddle protrudes further, and is angled at 10 degrees to give it even more surface area. These measures put the lower paddle and Ambi-Catch's paddle on different vertical planes. That done, we worked on the top paddle. While we don't use it ourselves, preferring to pull back on the charging handle instead to load and reload, we do recognize far more users use it, so the ABC/R's top paddle is made larger, and given a 5 degree angle at the lower 50%, and 10 degree angle at the upper 50% cant. The angled paddle makes it easier for the palm or thumb to access.

The notch immediately above the ABC/R’s lower paddle isn’t there by accident. As you run your finger down the bolt catch towards the lower paddle, the notch is meant to provide tactile feedback to indicate the beginning of the lower paddle. It is important be able to differentiate one control surface from another, all without diverting one's gaze to it.

ABC/R v3 upper paddle options accommodate individual user's reloading technique.  Upper paddle options include FB (forward biased), standard (centered, non-biased), and RB (rearward biased).

Standard (non-biased) upper paddle remains the same position as v1 and v2 ABC/R, its upper paddle isn't biased towards the front or rear.

RB (rearward biased) is for left hand users that use their extended left index finger to access the bolt catch paddles.  The RB version has the upper paddle shifted to the butt stock end to make the upper paddle more accessible.

The "butterfly" lower paddle's horizontal extension increases the lower paddle's surface area, but stops short of reaching the bottom of the bolt catch in order to create a stand off distance between the extension and an ambidextrous magazine catch's lever.  It is our opinion and observation that close proximity of two control surfaces is best avoided.  The butterfly lower paddle has increased surface area, and doesn't interfere with an ambidextrous mag catch's lever.