The Prepper Insider is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
An ambidextrous safety is almost always an aftermarket part that you install yourself. Despite manufacturers not providing it, an ambi safety comes with excellent benefits and better control over your AR-15.
We have five of the best ambi safeties to show you while simultaneously answering all your burning questions surrounding ambi safeties.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety
- OUR TOP PICK: XTS XTS-SSL Firearm Safety Selector
- RUNNER-UP: TRYBE Defense Ambidextrous Mil-Spec Safety Selector
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Phase 5 Weapon Systems Inc 90 Degree Ambi Safety Selector
Comparison of the Best AR-15 Ambi Safety Selectors
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
What is an Ambidextrous Safety?
Your gun safety prevents you from accidentally firing. These are typically located in areas for right-handed gun owners to use. An ambidextrous safety gives access on both sides of your AR-15, allowing right-handed and left-handed users to utilize the same weapon without sacrificing utility.
These aftermarket parts require some DIY know-how and do require you to disassemble your gun to install them. An ambidextrous safety is an upgrade for any AR-15 or assault rifle, albeit it a slightly expensive one when you factor in the cost of the gun purchase.
How to Choose an AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety
These are just a few pain points you can look at when selecting an AR-15 ambi safety to help you on your journey.
- Degree: Check if the safety you want has a 45° angle or a 90° angle for locking. This can come down to preference, although a 45° angle lock will both flip into and out of safety mode twice as fast.
- Material: Are we looking at steel on the inside, but plastic on the levers? For some of us, it’s just not worth it to spend money on something plastic that’s going to break. Since ambidextrous safeties already have a higher chance of breaking, we want to start with better materials to mitigate that risk.
- Grip: This might not be something you think about with safeties, but the traction for your finger is important. You don’t want to have to tightly grasp a safety release between your thumb and index finger; it should be operable with one finger.
Reviews of the Best AR-15 Ambi Safety Selectors
Here are our top 5 choices for the best AR-15 ambidextrous safety selectors:
Best Overall:
XTS XTS-SSL Firearm Safety Selector
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers cling to the low cost and mention buying multiple safeties for the price of one competitor branded safety. Thanks to the long line of safeties, buyers use XTS-SSL for their ARs, handguns, and more.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Initially, it stood out because of the price, but after using it, XTS-SSL stands out as a premium brand from this point on. The tough construction and ease of installation are attractive, but the simple levers and low-profile design are what we love about it.
Bottom Line
XTS-SSL is not only worth the incredibly modest price tag but also saves time with installation. While the levers are physically smaller than most, it works perfectly well.
Runner-up:
TRYBE Defense Ambidextrous Mil-Spec Safety Selector
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Some buyers are frustrated that their safety is out of specs with their AR-15s; however, TRYBE does state that this doesn’t work universally. Those who were able to attach this to their AR-15 reported tight operations and a snug fit, albeit with a slightly strenuous installation process.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Primarily because of the grooves on either side that give excellent, single-finger use. When a safety doesn’t have the necessary grips, you end up grasping onto it with two fingers and pulling the entire mechanism in one direction, but TRYBE fixes that with their intuitive design.
Bottom Line
Anything with a lifetime warranty is worth the time of day to look at. TRYBE stands behind every product, and in this case, this snug-fitting safety is well worth the money. You may run into compatibility issues with your specific AR-15, so check before deciding to purchase.
Best for the Money:
Phase 5 Weapon Systems Inc 90 Degree Ambi Safety Selector
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Depending on the AR-15 in question and the gun's length, the longer lever may impede upon performance very slightly. That being said, this is a niche issue. Buyers report different levels of installation, some citing a simple time while others have their fair share of difficulties. All in all, it appears like people are either hit-or-miss on Phase 5.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The biggest reason it stood out at first was the lever length difference, but then it was the aluminum and steel combination. Usually, manufacturers just choose one for their safeties. This gives a proper blend of being lightweight while still providing plenty of power when you shift between the 90° angle positions.
Bottom Line
It's durable, steel, and aluminum construction, but in the middle of the price point. The longer lever is either something you’ll love or hate, but the quality is unmistakable: the Phase 5 safety outperforms other safeties in this same price point.
4. Radian Weapons Talon Ambidextrous
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers either ride or die by the attachment for the right lever. Many report that it feels flimsy,
while others cite the ability to remove one side as a utility feature they love. Buyers agree that the 45° angle and 90° angle options work well with this safety, and the build quality is better than expected.
Why it Stands Out to Us
You don’t just use 7075-T6 aluminum in anything—this is aircraft-grade aluminum we’re talking about. Dying to test it out, we can attest to the strength and lightweight feeling of this safety. There are so many options here that make this great for a weapon modder who wants to toy around with varying angles.
Bottom Line
Because this comes down to preferences, you’re either going to love or hate it. The price is agreeable, the build quality is unmistakable, and overall it’s a very good niche-specific AR-15 safety.
5. J P ENTERPRISES AR-15 Adjustable/Reversible/Ambidextrous Safety Selector
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most notably, there’s a contradiction between installation times and difficulty. Some users report a simple installation, while others say that it’s fairly difficult; it appears to depend on experience more than anything else. While this is expensive, buyers only mentioned how much they enjoyed this safety with no issues regarding the sticker price.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This brand as a whole has been on the frontline of premium gun accessories and attachments, and they’ve done nothing but impress us with everything they put out. This gun safety looks simple in appearance, but the lever angles and ultra-durable materials made us curious to test it out.
Bottom Line
Installation can be difficult, but the lifetime warranty is something that puts faith in the product. While you are spending a pretty penny on this safety, the rugged design and compatibility features make it a force to be reckoned with. Upgrading your safety should be an easy decision, and J.P. Enterprises make it simple.
Pros and Cons of Ambidextrous Safety
Ambidextrous safeties have their place in many firearms, including the AR-15. These are some of the main benefits and drawbacks of having one.
- Pro: Ambidextrous safeties increase the points of contact you’re able to access to secure your weapon.
- Pro: They force you to open your gun during installation, which hones another skill in the process.
- Pro: They allow multiple users to utilize the same weapon with ease.
- Con: Ambidextrous safeties tend to wear down and break or snap faster than single safeties.
- Con: Higher likelihood of accidentally switching your safety off completely. This is a potential problem, but as long as you are aware of the risks, you’ll be able to mitigate them.
At the end of the day, these all come down to preference. Some people just don’t like using an ambi safety, and that’s okay. This isn’t the most essential thing you will ever add to your AR-15.
That being said, it does come with benefits for the right type of gun owner. If you find yourself only ever unboxing your AR-15 at a range where safety procedures are already in place, it might not work for you.
Radian Weapons Talon Ambidextrous
AR-15 Safety Selector Problems
Selector issues don’t happen often, but when they do, it’s a nightmare. Fortunately, you can fix most of them.
If you’re having issues, check if the hammer is cocked. You can’t flip into safety if it isn’t.
Also, check if the hole in any new grips you put on your AR-15 might be too small. Pressure on the safety detent could completely prevent it from moving.
If all else fails, remove your grip and spring, and start all over again. Replacing these two items should fix selector issues.
Ambidextrous Safety vs Single Safety - Comparison Overview
So which one benefits you more? As a responsible AR-15 owner, your safety is paramount.
There’s one major issue with ambi safeties that you rarely run into with single safeties, and it’s called ambi safety breakage. Sounds straightforward, sure, but it’s actually when the central components snap and completely disable your ability to flip on the safety on either side.
Oddly enough, this mostly only happens when using the left-handed side of most ambi safeties. Most right-handed users do not encounter this problem, so it might be a manufacturing issue, or a different way pressure is applied when you’re left-handed.
Ambi safeties are almost always aftermarket. They can be made to fit your guns exceptionally well, but more manufacturers do not offer ambidextrous safeties because they simply cost more to manufacture and are more complicated than single safeties. It works in the interest of keeping your initial gun cost down, though.
With AR-15 ambidextrous safeties, most users report running into fewer problems than those who use ambi safeties on pistols, for example. That doesn’t mean we AR-15 owners won’t encounter our issues, but ambi safety breakage may not be as big of a problem as it seems, making it a good alternative to single safeties.
Conclusion
Are these ambi safeties the best ones out there? We believe they are. After poring over every little detail, divulging the negatives, and discussing what an ambi safety does for you, are you ready to get started? You’re on your way to safer gun operations.
People Also Ask
If your questions haven’t been met, don’t worry: We’re not done yet. These are some of the most frequently asked questions that people have about ambidextrous safeties. It could be a big switch for you, so get in the know.
Is an Ambidextrous Safety Safer?
The misconception is that with an ambi safety, you’re twice as likely to not flip it into safe mode. The opposite is true: It’s safer because you have more points to control your gun, so as long as you store it properly and don’t bang the gun around, the ambi safety won’t be triggered by accident.
Is an Ambidextrous Safety Hard to Install?
It depends on your proficiency with your guns. You have to disassemble the entire gun, so if you aren’t keen on taking your guns apart, then this will be difficult to install. You’re reassembling with a new component to your gun, and you need to know how to work around that.
How Much Does an Ambidextrous Safety Cost?
For a cheap, plastic ambidextrous safety, you can find some for around $40.00 up to about $55.00. More durable plastics (ABS) and metals will run you about $55.00 up to around $90.00. Some guards cost more than this, but at a certain point, they’re not worth it.
Other AR-15 Buyer Guides
Below are some other reviews related to AR-15s: