Extended bolt release to fit AA billet side charge handle upper

[jmountainjr]

Does anyone know of an extended bolt release that is compatiable with the Alexander Arms billet side charge handle upper? The upper is a bit wider and there is not a lot of room around the release button area. Most ready made ones I've tried will not fit. Thought I'd inquire before making one of my own.

[txgunner00]

I have a Magpul BAD lever on my billet upper but I had to mill the receiver for it to fit.

Here's the only other one I know of. I'm not sure if it will work without modifying the receiver also.

http://store.legionfirearms.com/product_p/ebrv2.htm

[txgunner00]

Here's a pic of mine.

[jmountainjr]

I have the Phase 5 Tactical one, and it does not fit. I was in hopes of not milling the upper, but that would fix it. Phase 5 lists one that looks simular, but is listed as to work with some side chargers. I've placed an inquiry if it works with the AA upper, but have not heard back. I might try making a lever before milling the upper.

[jmountainjr]

It looks like milling the upper is the best solution.

[txgunner00]

It's pretty easy. It probably took me about an hour total for set up, milling & cleanup. Painted the milled area with Duracoat. Tactical black is the color and it matched well enough. Do you have access to a mill?

[ricsmall]

It's pretty easy. It probably took me about an hour total for set up, milling & cleanup. Painted the milled area with Duracoat. Tactical black is the color and it matched well enough. Do you have access to a mill?

txgunner, how does the duracoat hold up on a complete rifle, or have you tried it? Thinking about using to either touch up or repaint my whole upper where I milled for side charger.

[txgunner00]

txgunner, how does the duracoat hold up on a complete rifle, or have you tried it? Thinking about using to either touch up or repaint my whole upper where I milled for side charger.

It does OK. Abrasion resistance is very good but it tends to chip when hit by hard, sharp objects. Not as good as hard coat anodize but better than Krylon. From what I have seen, Cerakote is a little tougher.

[ricsmall]

thanks tx, i may give it a try on my 5.56 carbine before i try my grendel. ill have plenty time to test it before my grendel is done.waiting on barrel...

[jmountainjr]

When you did the milling, did you have just the stripped receiver or the complete upper?

[txgunner00]

Are you asking about milling for the bolt release or the side charging handle?

[jmountainjr]

Just the bolt release. The upper came equipped with the side charger. So the upper is now all together and I really do not want to strip it. But I also don't want to mess it up trying it free hand with a die grinder or drum sander.

[txgunner00]

I did mine without stripping it. Just had to remove the optic. I cut a block that fit in between the take down lugs and clamped on it and the top of the picatinny rail.

[Rockdriller]

Hi fellas,
I have a side charger and barrel on order from aa and was wondering if a standard action vise block would fit the beefy reciever. It looks too big to me. What have you used when installing the barrel and handguard?
thanks for any advice

[txgunner00]

Probably not. I made one that grabs on the sides of the picatinny rail and on the take down lugs. I'll get some pics of it later.

[Rockdriller]

Thanks tex , At least I'll have MONTHS before I'll need it hehe

[txgunner00]

Here's the pics. I made it out of some HDPE sheet stock I had but it would probably work out of wood as well.

The two screws you see are installed in a way to allow the two halves to slide. You can't see it but a complete upper is in the vice.