When service rifle rules changed to allow bolt releases, I must admit I was skeptical. There are several popular varieties, the two most popular of which I have observed being the Bob Hahin AR Bolt Release Extension and the Magpul B.A.D. (Battery Assist Device) Lever. It took a little bit of getting used to, but I have come to love the Hahin Bolt Release. It allows me to close the bolt without moving out of position during rapid fire strings. I can do the same in slow-fire prone. In offhand, I do not want to risk having my finger in the trigger guard when closing the bolt so I press the top of the lever mounted above the bolt release on the outside and it shuts the bolt just as it would without the extension. I have heard other competitors recount stories about different levers having issues with the bolt locking back during rapid fire, costing them valuable time. I have never had an issue with this lever. Some prefer the style of the Magpul lever, that puts the end of the extension right by the trigger finger. I much prefer it on the side of the rifle so that I am acutely aware when I push it and do not accidently catch it or hit it on something. It really is a matter of preference, but for me the Hahin Bolt Release Extension is a reliable and convenient addition to my service rifle.

-Serena

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When I first started high power, I had the bare minimum of equipment, much of it borrowed. As I got more involved and competitive in the sport, I started acquiring my own gear, one item of which was The Original Bob Sled AR-15 Single Load Magazine.

When I started high power I had two borrowed magazines. For rapid fires I would load one with eight rounds in advance, and the other with two rounds in the last seconds of prep time, having used it for dry firing beforehand. I would use those same two magazines for everything, hurriedly reloading at 800 aggregate across the course matches with two strings of rapid-fire sitting at 200 yards and two strings of rapid fire prone at 300 yards. It was always a struggle to reload the magazines without breaking position between subsequent strings.

I now have four magazines of my own, in addition to The Original Bob Sled. The single loading Bob Sled has made an incredible difference. It is not something that will revolutionize scores, but is definitely a time saver and takes the pressure of loading extra magazines off of your mind so you can focus on the shot at hand. One might say that you can just use a regular empty magazine during standing, for dry firing, or for slow-fire prone. This is true, but I really like the extra weight and feel the Bob Sled has. I have shot with a regular twenty round magazine as well as the Bob Sled and much prefer the Bob Sled. I am almost spoiled now, missing it if I am shooting someone else’s rifle or helping coach other juniors. I pick up their rifle, only to find that something feels “off.”

The sled has a groove in it to hold the round and help feed it into the chamber. Many advise competitors to take as many steps towards consistency as possible. This includes using one’s finger to guide the round into the chamber before closing the bolt, rather than just trusting that the round is perfectly set in the sled. I must admit, I do not always do this and occasionally jam a few rounds in the bolt as a result, but that is solely my fault, not a failure of the sled. One has to be careful to use the sled as intended and not get lazy and throw the round in without letting it rest in the groove before closing the bolt.  The sled will not hold the round in the groove if you tip it sideways, so be sure to check that it is properly inside before closing the bolt.

-Serena

The post The Original AR-15 Bob Sled – A Review appeared first on Creedmoor Sports InfoZone.