By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
The top two, and bottom three, photos contained in this article were taken by DefenseReview.com, and are copyrighted. DefenseReview.com owns the copyright on these photos. The photos were shot with a Canon PowerShot S90 10-megapixel digital camera (still camera with video capability).
January 24, 2011
Updated on 2/04/11.
First product up from SHOT Show 2011 is the A-DAC (Ambidextrous Dual Action Catch) fully-ambidextrous AX556 5.56mm NATO/.223 Rem. and AX762 7.62mm NATO/.308 Win. AR (AR-15 and AR-10-type) fully-ambidextrous lower receivers from AXTS Weapons Systems, which was developed with the assistance of professional feedback from tactical shooting instructor Jason Falla of Redback One and Grey Group Training (GGT).
In addition to sporting full-ambi controls (bolt carrier release button, magazine release button, and safety/selector switch), the AXTS A-DAC (aluminum billet) ambi AR lower’s standard-looking mag release button doubles as a bolt carrier catch a.k.a. bolt catch, so you can lock the bolt to the rear much more quickly and easily, i.e. one-handed with your strong hand (firing hand). This eases the process of clearing a double-feed malfunction considerably, since the standard-looking (right-side) magazine release button acts as both a bolt carrier catch (locking the bolt carrier to the rear) AND mag release button, meaning you can perform both actions very quickly with the firing hand, without removing your hand from the pistol grip.
A-DAC’s developers, Josh (Joshua) and Abe Underwood, were both kind enough to take DefenseReview (DR) through the system at their booth in the Mil/LE section at SHOT, which was situated next to Samson Manufacturing Corporation’s (SMC) booth. Not coincidentally, the AXTS A-DAC lower receiver-outfitted guns sported Samson mil-std-1913 “Picatinny” rail systems/tactical handguards/forend rail tubes, including Samson’s new Evolution series AR rail system (AR-15 rail system).
The AXTS A-DAC ambi lower receiver utilizes the Battle Arms Development – Ambidextrous Safety Selector (BAD-ASS), which appears to be a pretty popular ambi-safety/selector switch, of late.
Notice how the A-DAC billet lower visually matches the MagPul PMAG polymer 5.56x45mm NATO (5.56mm NATO)/.223 Rem. AR mag, by the way. This was done on purpose. Also notice the Aimpoint Micro T-1 mini red dot sight/combat optic, Aimpoint 3XMag magnifying module, and EOTech XPS/EXPS series HWS (Holographic Weapon Sight)/holographic diffraction sight/combat optic in the accompanying photos.
Ambi AR lowers are somewhat controversial, as some spec-operators embrace them and others are traditionalists, and thus prefer the traditional contol setup. That said, Mr. Falla made a strong case for the AXTS A-DAC ambidextrous lower over beers (courtesy of ADS) at the Aimpoint booth, at the end of day three. Based on our conversation with Mr. Falla, DR now leans toward the ambi-control camp, and we wouldn’t mind using an AXTS A-DAC ambi lower for a future AR carbine/SBR (Short Barrel Rifle) build. The ambi lower would seem to provide a speed and ergonomics advantage for both military Special Operations Forces (SOF) operators and tactical 3-Gunners (3-Gun competitors). Jason’s a very sharp guy, and surprisingly convincing for an Australian. A little joke, there. We actually like Australians, here at DR, and think very highly of Mr. Falla, in particular. He’s a good guy, and one of the tactical shooting instructors with whom we most look forward to training.
Company Contact Info:
AXTS Weapons Systems
Phone: 503-893-2987 (AXTS)
Fax: 503-363-8194
Email Josh Underwood: josh@axtsweapons.com
Email Abe Underwood: abe@axtsweapons.com
Website: http://www.axtsweapons.com/
Samson Manufacturing Corp. (SMC)
110 Christian Lane
Whately, MA 01373
Toll Free: 888-665-4370
Office: 413-665-1162
Email: sales@samson-mfg.com
Website: http://www.samson-mfg.com/
Battle Arms Development, Inc. (BAD)
PO Box 92742
Henderson, NV 89009
Phone: 702-508-8625
Email: sales@battlearmsdevelopment.com
Website: http://battlearmsdevelopment.com/
CAGE Code: 5JQW8
DUNS # 830526005
CCR Registered
© Copyright 2011 DefenseReview.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without receiving permission and providing proper credit and appropriate links.
Related Articles
A Tale of Two Custom Mid-Length AR Carbines (Part 1): The Frankengun (Frankencarbine) Project