Do You Really Need An Ambidextrous Lower Receiver?

Aaron Spuler is a firearms enthusiast and recreational shooter. Follow more or his work at The Weapon Blog

Many blogs and marksmen resources recommend that you make use of an ambidextrous lower. Are they as necessary as let’s say a premium AR rifle barrel for you to be a successful sharpshooter?

Probably not, but there are many benefits to an ambidextrous lower, especially if you plan to use your weapon for personal or home defense.

For defense purposes, an ambidextrous lower receiver can make it easier for multiple people to use in case of an emergency and it can make it to where you can easily use the weapon in either hand.

When it comes to ambidextrous lower receivers, it truly comes down to preference and accessibility.

If you are confident in how you fire your rifle and you do not feel you need to adjust for yourself, then you may be better off leaving the build the way it is.

Hopefully we’ll be able to inform you of some of the pros and cons when you’re considering an upgrade to an ambi lower.

More Expensive

Lower receivers themselves are expensive, but when you add on the word “ambidextrous,” companies are likely to raise the prices even more for the item.

If you are on a tight budget and just cannot afford the luxury of an ambidextrous lower receiver, do not let that keep you from pursuing improved skills as a shooter.

Stay confident in your choice of upgrades and go with what feels comfortable to you. Do not let an increased price fool you into believing that that product is superior.

Practice makes perfect and there are plenty of AR owners who can easily and quickly manipulate their rifle even without the use of enhanced lower parts.

The costs will largely depend on whether you purchase a stripped lower and add the parts yourself or if you buy a complete lower assembly that is already set-up for ambidextrous use.

It’s also worth noting that complete rifles with ambidextrous lower receivers will fetch a higher price.

Ambidextrous Lower Receivers Are More Versatile

In self-defense situations, switching between weapons or passing weapons between individuals is imperative.

Ambi lowers can be especially beneficial if you and your teammate tend to favor opposite hands. Or if the person has little to no experience using an AR15, an ambidextrous lower will allow them to use the weapon more easily.

Certain situations like when firing behind cover, call for you to use the rifle on your non-dominant side to make it as easy as possible to hit your target.

If this switch is complicated, it can mean the difference between life and death. Having an ambidextrous lower receiver allows you to switch shoulders without much effort.

Furthermore, consider what happens if you’re injured and need to maintain fire. Controls on both sides of the lower make it as easy as possible to keep the rifle functioning under less than ideal conditions.

If you want to make your home as defense friendly as possible, ambidextrous lowers are the best choice.

California Legal ARs

If you are making a featureless build, an ambidextrous lower will be better suited for you. In featureless builds, you can reload the weapon without taking the lower receiver away from the upper receiver, thus reducing wasted time.

This makes featureless builds with ambidextrous lowers a better choice for self-defense or for competition purposes. The aesthetics of the ambidextrous lower on a featureless build may not be up to your liking.

Also, there are various laws that could limit your use of these builds. Depending on where you live and what add-ons you have, you may be forced to continue adapting your weapon to meet the legal requirements.

You want to keep this in mind as you decide what lower receivers you wish to use and how.

Ambidextrous Lower Parts are Easy to Install

A common misconception about ambidextrous add-ons, lower receivers specifically, is that they are difficult to install. However, this is a myth.

You must disassemble your weapon to clean it anyway, so why not go ahead and make the upgrade?

They are easy to add, easy to operate, and they increase your ability to get the most out of your AR-15 without breaking the bank or your back.

You will not have to completely dismantle your rifle to make upgrades or to have it fit your specifications.

These components are made by gun enthusiasts and for gun enthusiasts. They know what you want and need and will make it possible for you to work both into your build.

Conclusion

When looking for an ambidextrous receiver, be sure that you can both engage and release the bolt. If you cannot do both these things, then the lower receiver you are looking at may be an imposter.

The whole point of having an ambidextrous slower receiver is to make all operations accessible for any user who may fire the weapon. The accessibility factor is well worth the expense and the trouble of rebuilding your weapon.

If you have access to ambidextrous lower receivers, test them out before you spend the money on them. While the money can be worth it, none of it will be worthy of your hard-earned money if you end up disliking it.

If you do not have access to see how one feels in your hands, see if you can join an online forum or find likeminded individuals who can help explain the pros and cons to you.

Take their pointers and advice to the range and the gun store with you and you will be able to confidently choose the best add-ons and modifications for you and your uses.

However, if you plan to be using the weapon for self-defense or if you will be put in situations where you must pass off your rifle to another person, you may want to consider investing in the ambidextrous lower receivers.

Ambidextrous lower receivers may not be something that you absolutely have to have, but it is something that can assist you and improve your experience on the range.