REVIEW: LAR Grizzly OPS-4 Upper Receiver

[702Shooter]

Hey guys,

I found this thread about the LAR Grizzly OPS-4 uppers but am unable to reply to it because of it's age.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=263638

I'm starting a new thread because there was a comment in the old one about using a Magpul B.A.D. Lever with this upper.

Unfortunately, Magpul's product does not fit ANY version of the OPS-4 receivers due to the way the bolt catch area is machined. There just isn't enough room in the cut out for the B.A.D. Lever to wrap around the bolt catch.



The solution I have found for this is offered by Phase 5 Tactical. They offer a monolithic extended bolt catch that will work with the RIGHT side OPS-4 units only. If you use either the LEFT side or AMBIDEXTROUS uppers then you should look at their EBRv2-SC model instead.

Although I am not a technical person, I have written an overview of the OPS-4 upper receivers. Those who are interested can review it here:

http://www.702shooter.com/precision-rifle-raffle/review-lar-grizzly-ops4-upper-receiver/

[joelogic]

You can bump it, the bottom just says "Do you want to?"

Saw your review. Looks cool but I would have to shoot a left side charging one before I bought one.

[702Shooter]

You can bump it, the bottom just says "Do you want to?"

Saw your review. Looks cool but I would have to shoot a left side charging one before I bought one.

Ah, now that you point it out, I see what you mean. Guess I should have read more than the first few words.

Obviously I'm new to this forum and need to learn it's quirks. Thank you.

[joelogic]

No problem, welcome to Calguns. Do you have a video of someone shooting it? I wonder how many rounds it would take to work the charging handle loose.

[702Shooter]

No problem, welcome to Calguns. Do you have a video of someone shooting it? I wonder how many rounds it would take to work the charging handle loose.

Thanks for the welcome.

I have a couple of video clips from when we broke in the barrel on the rifle we just gave away but they are not online yet.

As my review mentions, I've owned a Young Manufacturing side charging system for awhile now. I'd estimate that I've run about 5k rounds through it and the handle has never worked loose.

[IsaacGlass]

Shameless plug

[Don29palms]

I found this today. It looks quite interesting. CLICK HERE!

[9th]

Just in case anyone was thinking of getting the ambi or left sided OPS-4, you CANNOT use any of the current Phase 5 tactical extended bolt release devices. I picked up the EBRv2-SC specifically because I read on this thread that it was compatible with the ambi.

Phase 5 did inform me that they are coming out with a new model that is specifically made for the OPS-4 ambi. I am waiting on that one. They said that I can send them back the other one I bought in exchange for the new model.

[hammerhands32]

I just picked up one of these from http://elementarms.secure-mall.com/shop/. Billet, right hand version. I was hung up about which version (right, left, ambi) to get. I'm used to the left side charging handle because of my FAL. Now I have to assemble it just so I can see if I like it.

[9th]

I just shot my ambi and I liked it a lot. Some people are worried about getting distracted by the charging handle flying back and forth, but I didn't even notice it when I was shooting. You do have to watch where you place your non-shooting hand though as it could get skinned if you get too close to the handle. Only issue I can see with this upper is that it would not be good for military use. Plinking, hunting, or maybe even police work is ok with it, but I can see tree branches, sand and other debris getting caught in the chamber or snagging on the charging handles while firing if this is used in combat.

Here are some pics of how I got around the bolt catch issue.


This is a picture of the bolt catch that came with the upper receiver. I didn't like it much at all so...


I picked up this modified bolt catch from Brownel's for $13 and dremeled off the main paddle, which can be seen by the hammer.

And these next 2 pics are the upper installed on my AR:



Oh and before anyone makes fun of me for putting bipods on this rifle, they're on there because my rifle kept falling over when I was taking pics of it.

[JDPhx501]

Hey, I also received the LAR OPS-4 ambi upper last week.

Whats the best way to remove the handle? Its on tight!

[9th]

I wrapped the handles with cloth to protect them from scratching then used a pair of pliers to unscrew them. Came right off.

[joelogic]

Why not just use an Allen wrench?

[JDPhx501]

I tried an Allen wrench, but didn't try too hard since my lower receiver is still in jail and it seemed the amount of force it would take to twist it free might damage it.

I'll try the cloth and pliers and report back.

[joelogic]

If using a tool to take off a bolt harms the upper it not really worth buying, right?. I have the ambi and it came off just fine with an allen wrench.