REVIEW: TEAL BLUE BRAVO PDQ AMBI-BOLT-RELEASE

By default, the AR15 bolt can only be operated from the left side. For regular shooting, this is not a problem: insert the magazine, hit the ping-pong paddle, and off you go. But if you want to keep the bolt open, as a right-hander, you need three hands or you have to take your strong hand off the grip, reach awkwardly over or under the weapon to then operate the charging handle with your left hand. An elegant and "smooth" solution comes from Teal Blue Bravo and is called PDQ (Pretty Damn Quick) Ambi-Bolt Release. We have installed and tested it for you.

Some manufacturers, such as Heckler & Koch, offer ambidextrous operation by default in the latest version of the HK MR223.

For all standard AR15s, there are parts available for retrofitting. Examples include the Magpul B.A.D. Lever or the Phase V EBRv2, to name the two most well-known. Both parts extend the standard bolt catch lever in an L-shape into the trigger area, making it operable from the right side as well. The disadvantage of the Magpul B.A.D. Levers is that this part is only attached and screwed onto the existing bolt catch lever. It's a very wobbly affair. The Phase V EBRv2 offers more stability while functioning the same way.

However, both systems have a downside: they move the function into the trigger area, reducing its size.

With gloves or under stress, it is easy to unintentionally manipulate the bolt and cause a malfunction.

Teal Blue Bravo has taken a different approach in the implementation, which requires some DIY skills or a gunsmith. The PDQ replaces the standard component just like the EBRv2 and requires a slot in the right side of the lowers.

Standard bolt catch lever with parts

The buyer must create the slot in the lower by themselves or have it done, which we did with the help of a milling machine.

You can download the installation instructions here, there is one for milling and one for DIY with a Dremel.

Dremel instructions

Milling instructions

First, remove the upper of the AR15 and remove the existing bolt catch lever from the lower. Only the retaining pin needs to be knocked out, and the ping-pong paddle can then be removed. The grip should also be disassembled for a straight milling surface. If you want to ensure that no metal shavings enter the trigger, you can also remove it — we left it and just taped everything off and clamped the lower securely.

Now, select the cutter — Teal Blue Bravo recommends a size of 5/32, but you can also use a 4mm cutter and it will work just fine :).

The depth of the slot is easily determined using the existing gap of the standard bolt catch lever. So we only need to work out this notch accordingly. This is done fairly quickly with the cutter — the main work is to align and clamp the lower accurately.

Now that the opening is in place, the excess material on the left side of the slot must be removed. Then, you can use a sharp knife and/or a file to do the fine work.

This completes the space for the PDQ, and it only needs to be adjusted to match the color of the lower using aluminum blackening solution.

Then clean everything up and uncover the taped areas. After that, you can reattach the grip and install the PDQ.

The placement is just above the magazine release button and can be easily reached with the index finger of the right hand.

The left side looks the same as before, with the PDQ having a normal ping-pong paddle as you know it.

Operation is now very quick, or as Teal Blue Bravo would say, "pretty damn quick." Also, the standard closing of the bolt after changing a magazine is slightly faster, as you can immediately grip the handguard with your weak hand after inserting the magazine and use your strong hand to close the bolt. This eliminates the need to hit the paddle.

In use, the PDQ proves to be effective and fast, although in our AR (and according to various American forum posts — not just ours), there is an issue where the bolt does not stay open after the last shot. Manually, everything works as it should: empty magazine inserted, charging handle operated — bolt remains open. It just doesn't stay open when the magazine is empty. This malfunction occurs with both USGI magazines and PMAGs, only with the 30-round magazines, as the shorter ones work smoothly.

To troubleshoot, the dust cover was removed, and the magazine spring was stretched, but this did not improve the situation. An in-depth online search revealed that in some platforms, the PDQ simply doesn't work, with the cause being the almost double weight of the PDQ compared to the standard bolt catch, along with the sharp edges and the additional weight of the dust cover pushing down on the lever.

So, the milling machine was fired up again, and the button on the right side was hollowed out.

Then the edges were broken to remove more material.

The result is a much lighter lever that now follows the contour of the lower more closely.

SPARTANAT is the online magazine for Military News, Tactical Life, Gear & Reviews.
Send us your news: [email protected]