I actually have a lot of buddies who are lefties so, while I do poke fun at them for living in a right handed world, I do try and keep an eye out for products that work for them. Rock River Arms (RRA) just announced their latest AR the BT-2 Ambidextrous Tactical Rifle (ATR),which should work with both normal folks, I mean right hand dominant people, as well as lefties (but not the political kind as they are generally against guns).
The ATR is built on RRA’s new BT-2 upper and lower receivers. They’re made from 7075 T6 billet aluminum and have a number of ambidextrous features built in. They’re machined for an ambidextrous bolt release and come with an ambidextrous safety. The ATR comes with a Radian Raptor charging handle that works equally well with either hand.
The new Rock River sports a 16 inch chrome-lined chrome barrel with a 1:9 twist and RRA’s two-stage Ultra Match trigger group. The Ultra Match gives a 4.5 to 5.0 pound pull and a clean break. For furniture it’s fitted with RRA’s 13-inch BT2 M-LOK compatible free-float handguard, which has left and right side QD sling swivel mounts. The ATR has a six-position buffer tube and comes with an NSP-2 CAR buttstock. It uses a rubber-coated Hoque beavertail pistol grip with finger grooves for a secure grip.
The ATR has a QD swivel located on the lower receiver and a flared mag well and comes with an A2 flash hider. It does still have right side ejection but it has the typical A2/M4-style brass deflector block to keep lefties’ faces safe from hot brass. It looks like a gun that will work well for left handers, but still will be perfectly suitable for righties as well, giving you the option to run the gun from either shoulder. The MSRP is $2,110 so this isn’t a budget gun, but it does look to offer a lot of gun for the money. The ATR also comes with one 30-round magazine and a hard case.
The ATR isn’t showing on Rock River’s website yet, but keep an eye out there or with your favorite dealer if you think you might want to pick one up.
Rock River Arms BT-2 ATR Ambidextrous Tactical Rifle Specifications
- Model: OP1500BT
- Chamber: 5.56 NATO
- Lower Receiver: BT-2 billet 7075 T6 aluminum
- Lower Receiver: BT-2 billet 7075 T6 aluminum
- Barrel: 16-in. chrome-lined chrome moly
- Twist: 1:9
- Muzzle Device: A2 flash hider
- Gas Block: RRA low profile .750
- Trigger: RRA 2-Stage Ultra Match
- Handguard: RRA BT-2 13-in. M-LOK
- Charging Handle: Radian Raptor
- Pistol Grip: Hogue beavertail
- Stock: RRA NSP-2 6-position CAR
- Length: 33 in. collapsed
- Weight: 6.8 lbs.
- Includes: 1 polymer 30-round magazine, hard case, manual and warranty
- MSRP: $2,110
 just announced their latest AR the BT-2 Ambidextrous Tactical Rifle (ATR)which should work with both normal folks, I mean right hand dominant people, as well as left handers.){kind=link}
Hey! left wing criminals getting shot by left handed law abiding defenders is a real thing.
What are the odds? About 1%?
Based on the statistics that left-handed people are about 10% of the population, so 10% of 10% of perp on defender action would be 1%.
Building ambidextrous firearms is a good idea. Especially an AR if for no other reason than they are so popular. However, a superior ambidextrous rifle has been available since the early 80s. It’s called a Galil.
rock river, not rock island.
pass.
The MSRP is the price in states a week or two away from a ban. I do not see the price going past a G and that’s on the high side for what in the end is a mediocre Build It For Me firearm with a twist rate I don’t use, ironic RRA dedicated lefties are priced reasonably.
The last BCG I ordered from RRA had no forward assist serrations even though it was pictured and described as such, they were quick to refund. At one time RRA were the cats be doing it.
Not seeing the value here. You could reproduce this for half the price.
1-in-9 twist on a 5.56mm rifle?
For me, for it to be good for a “leftie” would mean left hand ejection.