American Defense Mfg. UIC Lower Receiver - Initial Impressions

Up until a few years ago, I didn't put much of a priority on whether my guns suited 10% of the population.  Fast forward to today where I have a 3-year old son who is left handed.  His handedness is beside the point however.  With the arrival of my daughter last spring, I began to take self-defense with a firearm much more seriously.  This year I increased my total number of formal training classes from one to four, and I'm registered for two more plus a medical class next year.  I've realized that being able to run my guns left handed was not a luxury, but a necessity.  My right hand is likely to be occupied, holding a phone, my kid, groceries, keys, etc.  And cover isn't always going to be to open to my right.  Fighting with a rifle in a home defense or suburban setting requires often shooting from austere positions.  Shooting from the right shoulder might not be possible when contorting for cover behind a vehicle tire or fire hydrant.  So now, 25% of my ammunition is spent left handed with both the pistol and rifle.  My current defensive AR is an SBR with an ambidextrous Aero Precision lower.  Charging handle, safety, mag release, and the PDQ bolt catch/release are accessible left handed.  One issue I have is with the design of the bolt catch.  It's a single piece of steel, heavier than the standard one, and the ejection port door presses down slightly on in.  Both these factors resulted in the bolt not always locking on the last round.  Only after re-profiling the bolt catch and unwinding the port door spring a bit was the issue resolved.

Modified PDQ Bolt Catch

Unfortunately the lever still sticks out away from the receiver and often the bolt will close when I set the gun down on its right side and the port door presses it down.  I also have an annoying issue with the ergonomics when shooting right handed, specifically when locking the bolt to the rear.  A bonus of this bolt catch is using your right hand trigger finger to lock and release the bolt.  However, it's too high to reach without taking my middle finger off the grip.  Despite these shortcomings I haven't found a better option, including the Magpul BAD lever.  Until now.

Yesterday I received the UIC lower receiver from American Defense Manufacturing.  You probably know ADM for their awesome QD optics mounts and they've applied their engineering and machining knowledge to the UIC (Universal Improved Carbine) receiver.  While I've heard grumblings about some milled receivers not being as durable as forged, 7075 aluminum is plenty tough since most of the stress is in the upper receiver.  Even if you plan to hold the rifle by the barrel and swing the stock into a tree, I believe this receiver would fare equally as well as a forged mil-spec.  It arrived with the front takedown pin and bolt catches installed.  The rear takedown pin, detent, and spring are included.  The takedown pins are dimpled to prevent a tool or bullet from slipping and marring the beautiful anodized finish if one is needed to press them out.  The ADM logo is subdued but I would prefer it if the selector markings were a little more pronounced.  While the milled  pockets on the the magwell look cool, I have a long trust name, so I'll need to find another location for my NFA engaving should I choose to SBR it.

ADM UIC - Right

ADM UIC - Left

ADM UIC - Out of the box

The first thing you'll notice on the UIC is the right side bolt release.  It moves up and down, pivoting on a roll pin in the upper fenced portion of the receiver.  It lays flat against the side.  Overtime, it will probably leave a curved mark like the selector of an AK.  The left-side bolt catch has an extension that rests in a groove in the right-side catch.  Both pieces are loosely linked together but there is no rattling as both parts provide sufficient tension whether engaged or at rest.

Ambi Bolt Catch - Down

Ambi Bolt Catch - Up

Ambi Bolt Catch - Down

Both magazine release buttons are nicely protected by tapered shelves.  This is a necessity on the left side because the button is 1/2" closer to your trigger finger when it's resting on the frame.  It pivots on a roll pin inserted through the shelf.  The left side bolt release paddle is over-sized, with a dedicated portion for locking the bolt rearward.

Over-sized Bolt Release & Left Side Mag Release

The trigger guard is enlarged for gloved fingers and integrated into the lower.  Mine was a blem or "Duty" lower.  The blemish was that the logo was engraved slightly off center on the trigger guard.  Totally worth the $10 discount, plus it was in-stock.  There is also a nylon tipped allen screw behind the grip screw hole.  It can be raised to provide just enough tension to eliminate any annoying wobble between the upper and lower receivers.  A nice touch.

Trigger Guard & Tensioning Screw

Upper Receiver Tensioning Screw

The front of the magwell has eight grooves machined into it for a secure magwell grip if you're so inclined.  The magwell itself is slightly larger at the base, allowing for a generous 20 degree bevel.  If you've ever tried to change mags at speed in competition (or in the dark while wearing NVGs) you'll appreciate this feature.

Magwell - Front

Magwell, Off Center Logo, and Left Side Mag Release Roll Pin

20 Degree Beveled Magwell

On the way are a Geissele SD-C Trigger, PWS Enhanced Buffer Tube with ratcheting castle nut, PWS H2 buffer, and JP polished buffer spring.  The remaining required small parts, stock, and grip are all from BCM.  I'll run this lower with one of my pinned 14.5" uppers for now.  I might SBR it but I like the idea of having a rifle I can transport out of state for training classes or hunting without filing ATF paperwork.  I'll make my decision after getting some trigger time and then write up my results.  It's going to be a good winter.

-Carry On