AR15NEWS.com - The Evolution Of The Battle Arms Development Ambi Safety Selector

[Robocop1051]

Originally posted on September 28th, 2012 by ar15news

In 2009, we started working on an ambidextrous selector that promised to be more user friendly.  Military moron had a basic shape in mind, but we decided to embark on something quite different and ambitious.  The idea was to have a lever that’s unobtrusive, and usable from either side of the receiver without introducing undue interference.

The first model featured levers of complex geometry and multiple serrations, but in tests, while they presented minimal interference for the user, they did not provide adequate surface area and purchase for the user to intuitively engage.

This is the first BAD selector, portions of the lever are blocked out as we may use the design elsewhere.

Back to the drawing board. We realized that there would be compromises, as with a 90 degree throw, where the lever points straight down when the selector is rotated to FIRE/SEMI, unobtrusiveness and good purchase are almost mutually exclusive.  This time around, in addition to the standard lever which is used 95% of the time, we came up with a short lever and a thin lever, and we made both sides of the selector modular.

A very early prototype.  The rough machining of the center is a far cry from the production units, fit and finish of which is a wonderful thing to behold.

Initially it was called UCAS (User Configurable Ambidextrous Selector).  In tests, 50% of the users liked the short lever on the weak side, and 50% of the users liked the thin lever.  Instead of choosing just one weak side lever and essentially imposing our idea of what’s best for the users, we produced both and included both in the production model.

The original, unfinished three levers.  All major components of the BAD-ASS and BAD-CASS are billet, CNC machined.

The original lever options have since expanded from three to seven, plus an end cap.  Many of the new levers are the results of user and dealer input.

In 2010, we applied the modular lever concept to the M16 selector.  We incorporated a dovetail interface to relieve the stress on the mounting screws, it also allows the levers to stay on the selector center, which makes the selector usable, in the event the screws back out.

An early BAD-CASS-3P, M16 prototype

The BAD-CASS family has since grown to include semi auto 90 degree and 45 degree short throw selectors.  While the original BAD-ASS (all semi auto) family now includes the 90 degree, 45 degree short throw, and Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 selectors.

In months to come, we will be unveiling additional levers and short throw selectors, as well as other AR15 / M16 components.  We wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for customers, dealers and distributors that have made this living and breathing project possible, thank you.

Roger Wang

Battle Arms Development, Inc.

Improvidus, Apto quod Victum

[Robocop1051]

It's one helluva product, and has taken the market by storm. The fact that we had to wait nearly 50 years for Roger to create this is remarkable!! <laughs>

Roger, You guys are getting insane amounts of recognition online, and you deserve every ounce of it.  <thumbsup> I'm glad the BADASS is getting the respect it deserves.

[edgecrusher]

double up the kudos! I love mine and will never use another!

[Battle Arms Dev]

Thank you guys, we are grateful for the support we've received from you guys.  In 2010, many of you took a chance on us, then an unknown company outside of the M14 world, I will never forget the generosity and opportunity you guys gave us.  We in turn support many charities, shoots and events, as a way of giving back. We're a small company and don't have the means to donate thousands of dollars worth of products, but we make up by doing as many of them as we can :)

As we grow, the principles on which the company is built will remain.  We don't forget who we work for, be it enthusiasts, LE, or MIL, we're constantly humbled by the thought that we are fortunate indeed to be able to call them our customers. 

Thanks guys!

[imschur]

Glad to see business growing for you Roger. I think the products are brilliant and sell themselves but your service and support slay all others.

[Battle Arms Dev]

Thanks Drew, we're growing, but we are controlling it, lest we grow too big and too fast, something will suffer when that happens :)