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Best AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety Selectors [Guide]

We take you through the best ambidextrous safety selectors that bring a little more functionality and pizzazz to any AR-15 build.

Want an easy-peasy AR-15 upgrade that will change the way you shoot…without dropping big bucks on it?

My friends, let me introduce you to the little wonder of modern gunsmithing known as the ambidextrous safety selector.

Controls Left
Ambi controls are really nice!

An ambidextrous safety selector is one of the most common upgrades to the AR-15 platform, and one of the easiest to do.

Whether you’re just getting your feet wet with modding, or you’re building a rifle from the receiver up, an ambi safety is a great addition to any rifle.

Bonus…it doesn’t cost much either.

Shut Up & Take My Money
Just a little money, though!

So, let’s take a look at why you really should have an ambi selector on your gun, and which ones we recommend looking at when it comes time to upgrade. 

Table of Contents

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Why You Want an Ambi Safety Selector

Are you left-handed? Do you have left-handed people in your life?

Do you like them enough to let them use your rifle? Would you like them to enjoy using your rifle?

Then an ambidextrous safety is a great quality of life feature.

one lefty friendly
*Deep, left-handed sigh*

Beyond that, if you ever practice support hand shooting, or want to be prepared in case you ever have to operate your AR with an injury (like say, during a defensive situation) then an ambi selector can be really useful. 

Overall, it’s a small change that costs very little, takes about five minutes to swap in, and is simple enough anyone can do it.

Also, outside of some hex keys and a screwdriver, all you really need is the new selector itself.

LWRCI Fully Ambi Lower
LWRCI Fully Ambi Lower

Finally, this is a cool way to add a little style to your AR-15 –all without spending a lot or going too deep into mods.

If you want to dip your toes into the world of AR-15 customization, this is a great place to start.

Swapping Your AR-15 Selector

Swapping your selector is actually really easy.

But it’s even easier with pictures.

We just so happen to have put together a handy guide dedicated to Installing an AR-15 Safety Selector. So be sure to check that out after you decide on a selector.

Insert Safety Selector
Inserting the Safety Selector

Speaking of decisions…let’s get down to our top recommendations on the best of the best.

Best Ambidextrous AR-15 Safety Selectors

Okay, the safety selector on an AR-15 is not exactly a complex part.

That said, fit and finish matter. Why?

Because machining issues can cause your rifle to stop functioning when you need it. 

This is my safety
Uh…no. Just upgrade, my man.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best ambidextrous safeties on the market.

1. Radian Weapons AR-15 Talon Ambidextrous Safety Selector

You might have heard the name Radian Weapons before, particularly in reference to the absolutely excellent Radian Raptor AR-15 charging handle.

(One of our go-to options for an upgraded charging handle.)

radian weapons ar-15 talon ambidextrous safety selector
Radian Weapons Talon Safety Selector

Of course, they make other great parts too, including the Talon Ambidextrous Safety Selector.

This is one of our favorite options because not only is it ambidextrous, but it’s modular as well.

It can be set up as a 90-degree switch, or a short-throw, 45-degree switch depending on your preferences. This can also be helpful if you shoot with gloves often. 

Machining on this guy is predictably excellent. Not to mention, the lever is nice and grippy. And the Talon is easy to operate with either hand.

48
at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

2. V Seven Weapons Systems AR-15 57/90 Degree Ambidextrous Selector

V Seven is a newer manufacturer that does some really awesome work with titanium.

So, if you’re looking for a Ti selector switch, this is a really great option.

The 57/90 Degree ambi model comes with both a long and a short lever.

 V Seven Weapons Systems AR-15 57/90 Degree Ambidextrous Selector
V Seven Weapons Systems AR-15 57/90 Degree Ambidextrous Selector

This allows for very comfortable grip with your dominant hand without the extra lever length getting in the way on the opposite side. 

It’s also adjustable between a 57-degree and 90-degree throw, again, depending on your preferences. 

77
at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

3. Battle Arms BAD-ASS-PRO Safety Selectors

Need a selector that works well with mil-spec gear?

Battle Arms Development has you covered.

This company does a great job of making AR-15 parts that work well with mil-spec gear and accessories. The BAD-ASS-PRO safety selector is no different. 

Battle Arms BAD-ASS-PRO Safety Selector
Battle Arms BAD-ASS-PRO Safety Selector

It’s pretty much a straight upgrade over the standard mil-spec lower parts kit selector that’s probably already in your gun.

If you’re not sure where to get started or what pattern your AR has, this selector is a good pick while you learn a little more!

The BAD-ASS-PRO has a phosphor coating, a short and long lever that you can swap back and forth, and it’s compatible with any mil-spec trigger group on the market.

This makes it an easy swap if you’re running a stock trigger. 

Available Coupons

4. Knights Armament AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety Kit

Probably best known as the makers of the legendary SR-25, Knights Armament knows their way around the AR platform. 

Knights Armament AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety Kit
Knights Armament AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety Kit

The company makes a large number of AR accessories, almost all of which are pretty great…and the Ambi Safety Kit definitely falls under that category. 

This particular model is well-machined, giving you the option of both full and half-size switches so you can set up the gun just how you like it.

Knights Armament AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety Kit
Knights Armament AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety Kit

We love that you can trim down your right side switch a little while leaving the left side full-sized, or vice versa!

It’s compatible with all SR-15/AR-15 rifles, as well as SR-25/AR-10 rifles. So, even shooters with big boi AR-10s are in luck! 

64
at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

5. Colt Full Auto Ambidextrous Safety Selector Lever

Looking for a three-position switch for your select-fire AR platform gun? Look no further. 

Colt Full Auto Ambidextrous Safety Selector Lever (GunsAmerica)
Colt Full Auto Ambidextrous Safety Selector Lever (GunsAmerica)

Colt is, in many ways, the OG AR manufacturer, so you know their stuff is going to work, and work well. 

This safety selector is no-nonsense.

It drops in easily, and is one of the very few three-position selectors out there.

Whether you want this for a select-fire gun or just want one for the meme, the Colt provides.

50
at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

6. JP Enterprises JPFC-SA

JP Enterprises is one of our favorite AR parts manufacturers.

Why you ask?

This company makes some truly awesome gas blocks, as well as a bunch of other great stuff…including the JPFC-SA ambi safety switch

JP Enterprises JPFC-SA
JP Enterprises JPFC-SA

This one is reversible and adjustable between a short throw or a standard 90-degree. Tune it just how you like it!

(You might have noticed adjustability is one of our favorite features.) 

JP made its name with competition-grade parts, and that experience shows here.

This is a thoughtfully-designed piece that is a great addition to any rifle.

67
at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

Have you tried the JP Enterprises JPFC-SA? If so, give it a rating below!

Readers' Ratings

5.00/5 (674)

Your Rating?

7. Strike Industries HEX Ambi-Selector Switch

When looking to upgrade your AR-15, Strike Industries’ HEX ambi selector offers something a little different. 

CA HD AR SI HEX Safety
SI HEX Safety

This selector features a unique hex design that adds a little pizazz. Perfect for shooters who like to buck tradition and stand apart from the crowd.

It’s adjustable between 60-degree throw and 90-degree.

So, feel free to adjust things to get it where you want it — whether that’s a short-throw or something a little more traditional.

33
at Primary Arms

Prices accurate at time of writing

Prices accurate at time of writing

Available Coupons

8. Strike Industries Flip Safety Selector Switch

Finally, we have my personal favorite: the Strike Industries Flip Safety Selector.

This one is a bit more competition-focused. It’s lighter and faster to disengage to help get that first shot on target quickly and cleanly.

Strike Industries Flip Safety Selector Switch
Strike Industries Flip Safety Selector Switch

It’s also available in a variety of colors, so you can get something that either matches your current furniture or get stands out.

That’s a nice touch on competition-style guns. After all, if it’s not glam…we don’t want it!

It’s also a really good option if you just want a low-profile switch with excellent positive engagement but is also easy to manipulate under pressure or while wearing gloves.

Available Coupons

Conclusion

An ambidextrous safety selector is a great upgrade to any AR-15 rifle, and it’s easy enough to install. Basically, anyone can do it in just a few minutes. 

Resurgent Arms Grip, Extended Safety, and End Plate
Why can’t we have nice things? Because there are meme lowers.

It adds some capability to your rifle in addition to a touch of style and personal customization. Seriously, it’s one of the best parts you can add to your AR, especially if you’re on a budget. 

What do you think of these ambi safeties? Let us hear from you in the comments! And for more AR-15 upgrades that are quick and easy, check out our list of the best AR-15 charging handles and the Best AR-15 Handguards.

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6 Leave a Reply

  • Commenter Avatar
    Keith P.

    Offhand training/emergency situations where you need to switch sides are not the #1 reason for an ambi safety in California - that would be FIN GRIPS. With a "featureless" fin grip installed, your thumb is on the wrong side of the receiver!

    September 30, 2021 5:04 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    VR

    The write up describes the Strike Industries' Flip switch, but the red one in the top picture (on a black Sig Sauer lower) is actually the Strike Industries' Strike switch, which costs almost twice as much as the Flip switch, and is better geared towards competition.

    September 21, 2021 4:15 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Robert McClary

    To Megan kriss, Can you tell where I can get the gold extended safety in the picture, just under your conclusion? Thanks Robert

    September 2, 2021 8:38 am
    • Commenter Avatar
      Mack

      Looks like a Resurgent Arms

      November 21, 2021 10:23 am
  • Commenter Avatar
    Cruiser51

    I also like the Strike Industries safety. I think that you have misnamed what you called the flip switch in the photo with the red selector switch. I believe Strike Industries call this style their Strike Switch. I have one of these and like it. It offers either a 45 degree or 90 degree rotation. It moves smoothly from position to position. I have another rifle where I installed an Elftmann push button safety selector. The push button style is quick to move from safe to fire and back to safe. I like it a lot. The Elftmann costs about the same as the Strike Industries Switch. Thanks for your review.

    March 22, 2021 5:53 pm
  • Commenter Avatar
    sound awake

    the best ar platform ambi safety:
    training...
    to use the 1st knuckle of the pointer finger of the left hand to swipe the safety on/off
    its a pretty natural movement to make
    and save the 50 bucks for a more useful upgrade:
    like a charging handle with extended latch
    no ar platform pistol carbine or rifle should ever be without one

    March 22, 2021 10:51 am
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