Colt AR-15/M16 Ambidextrous Safety Selector Lever, Semi Auto. This is a factory original Colt part. Colt has been known throughout history for producing the highest quality parts and firearms. And Colt offers the best in traditional and new manufacturing techniques, to bring the customer the best possible parts and accessories.
This is a genuine Colt part. Charlie's purchases this part from Colt and its distributors both as one part, and as three separate parts, and packages them together. Our sourcing decisions are based, like any other business, on timing, availability, predictability of supply and pricing. Whether we purchase as one part or three, the item is exactly the same and 100% Colt parts. Colt does contract out much of their manufacturing, and various parts are manufactured by other companies, for Colt, and then Colt assembles and resells much like any other large manufacturer. We, however, are sourcing directly from Colt and their distributors.
This part is typically identified by the trademark "S" on the long left-hand side, the left-hand level traversing to the middle of the axle and pointer, a delicate 7/64's hex screw with a partial groove in the screw and some light colored thread coating, and the Colt CAGE code on the short lever.
This is something you should know: There are other firms claiming to have Colt ambi safeties, and have taken short cuts in parts. You know you are getting the real deal with Charlie's. We pay attention to detail, especially when it comes to Colt. Take a look at the real people who have left product reviews. Even though this is a small part, this is one of our top 20 selling products, year over year.
Note on price: Prices of Colt parts have gone up in 2020, and availability has gone down, as we enter 2021, the situation has gotten worse. (Updating for August, 2022: Currently, we are not able to get all three parts for this safety. We are working on getting more, but with small parts requests to manufacturers, we often get a reply with 10 when we ask for 500, and prices for these small parts are priced much higher than in the past.)
One observation we have on this part, however, is to compare the price of this Colt ambi safety not to historical costs. We realize that two years ago this part sold for much less. But, compare this part to similar top name parts from Knights Armament, LMT, Badger and Geissele, our finding is that even the current price is reasonable, compared to other brands. Yes, you can buy other ambi safeties for much less. The Rock River and Troy ambi safeties are good examples. It is a good part, and much less money. Then, there are other "Made in USA" ambi safeties, which we see advertised, and no darned well they are made in China. When someone has to say "Made in USA" and you don't know the brand... chances are that it is not made in America. Just something we have learned over the years.
Charlie's has sourced this item with effort that you could not imagine for a small part. We did it so that we can use it in our builds, and so you would have access to this part. If you think it is too expensive, we agree. There are other ambi safeties available, some that we sell, that are good parts, and less investment. If you are looking for true ambi, and the ability to swap left long for right long lever, Colt is the only product that we have found that does that. Also, if you are working a clone build, this might be the only part you are waiting on.
Note: Maxium order of one per customer when available. Keep this in mind: If you buy just this one item, shipping will seem high. While you are limited on this product, because demand is very high, and we want to give everyone a chance to buy at least one when we have it in stock, our shipping fees do not go up by much when you add a few more items to your order. Many orders will qualify for free shipping if you reach a small minimum order, so do yourself a favor and if you buy one, add something else while you are here.
Charlie's also offers the Colt full auto ambi safety, which will also function in a semi-automatic rifle, but the third stop will be safe again. Often the price is a little lower on the Colt full automatic ambi safety, Part SP4011017
To find other ambi safeties that we carry at Charlie's Custom Clones, click here: Ambidextrous Safeties for sale at CCC
Manufacturer's Part Number SP400831
a note on small parts at Charlie's
Charlie's uses this part in our carbine and upper assembly, and as such, this is a manufacturing part for us. When we have enough inventory, we also make this available for sale. As is the case with many of our manufacturing parts, we must have these parts in-stock, and try to never run out. With KAC and Colt that is hard, as the supply chain sometimes has parts and sometimes does not.
If you are shopping for parts, it is very likely that you will find one of two things, and this is true for this genuine Colt part: a) another online retailer has this part for a lower price, and/or b) every other online retailer is out of stock. In trying to make sure we always have stock, it is possible that our price is a little higher for small parts. We understand that, but we also want to have the item in-stock. Make sense? You decide. Our business model is to build and to buy the best assembled tactical products, and along the way also bring you great parts. Please judge us on the whole.
