Edit 2: Joe got ahold of me on this site and sent me the updated bolt catch. See below for comparison. I really appreciate it and thanks!

Edit: I called DD today 2/12 and got this... I put a call in with DD today and talked to the rep. They do not sell the paddles with the bottom lug anymore and updated all their rifles to include the paddle with the bottom half like I shown and the top half like I shown.

They said they did this due to testing and found it would activate the bolt catch sometimes or it would cause the bolt to slip. I believe it since it adds weight to the paddle. He did mention that it will be kind of harder to push in the bolt catch but it was made that way and if I continue to have trouble I can send it in to have it looked at.

I'll update the OP with this info for anyone wondering too or having trouble using it with their left hand.

------------------

I recently got the DD RISIII lower since it looks so good. I actually got the whole rifle but resold the upper to recover some of my cost.

The one thing that I didn't catch up on at the store was the left side bolt paddle. I went home and noticed that it did not match up with what they have on their promotional photos.

Here is what I got...

But here is their website... https://danieldefense.com/dd4-riii.html If you notice the left side paddle has a bit more space on the bottom nudge on it. The one I got works fine but because it doesn't have the full bottom it doesn't go all the way up. It still works when you want to hold the bolt open. I also notice many other pictures that seem to show the actual lower having the bottom paddle missing. A good example is on Charlie's custom clone site https://charliescustomclones.com/daniel-defense-riii-full-ambi-complete-lower-receiver/ where it mixes both the DD promotional images showing the full paddle and the actual end product with the bottom paddle missing. I'm also noticing youtubers videos having the DD RIS III lowers without the full paddle. However, all early videos where they were promoting the product it shows the full paddle.

Any ideas why DD did that? Or do they just hate us? It's not really a super deal breaker but I just find it odd they wouldn't do the full paddle.

Here's an example of their earlier promotion video:

https://youtu.be/S0d7_qEuffg?si=luTlkoR_VjXya000&t=63

Then compare that to the actual review....

https://youtu.be/FHQh7GmkaOA?si=r_HOIMXbMIGTU1ry&t=60

If you look at the left side paddle, the earlier promotion video has the full paddle but the actual product has the missing bottom piece. Very unusual DD did this and suddenly changed their product.

It doesn't cause any problems other than the bolt not fully engaged if you use your thumb to engage the bolt catch. During a cold range that means locking your bolt back and it's only partially engaged and could slip more easily on the table.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Did-Daniel-Defense-lied-to-us-about-their-ambi-lowers-/118-784448/

lol, you miss nothing!

Good grief.

Is there a follow up answer from the rep regarding this? Or do I need to reach out to the company itself?

Do you see an answer posted from DD?  Looks like you need to reach out directly.

Thanks. I reached out with their contact forum and got the thank you email. So we shall see what they say. I’m hoping they have the beefy left side bolt catch and they can send it. Would be cool. Been shooting it a lot and really love this ambi lower and hope I can make it complete.

....Jesus

Can you explain exactly what is wrong with my post? The product they showed a left side bolt catch that is more pronounce with the bottom one having more leverage to get the bolt catch higher. Is it wrong of me to want something that they showed in the original product instead of the half one that doesn't fully activate the bolt catch? Afterall I paid nearly 2400 for this thing and while I got back 1k out of it so technically I'm about 1k+ invested into it. Are you saying that I'm being petty because they showed one product but later put in another product?

At this point I'm thinking about getting rid of the DD lower just out of spite that they wouldn't answer back on why they changed out a product to a different one. I also find it funny that people complaining about it are the same ones who go on clone threads asking for small details on things. So I guess at this point I have no choice but to either accept it or get rid of it learning a valuable lesson that companies don't give out a product they showed off.

If you really want to stick it to them I’ll give you $100 for the lower.  That would show them that you think the lower is near worthless.

Put one more 0 in there and it's yours!

There's asking a clarifying question (fair), and then there's being insufferable.  Like, my god, how sensational can you be by asking 'do they hate us'.  Absolute cringe.

Ah okay I get it now. Perhaps poor choice of wording but still it’s kind of crazy they switched what appears to be a functional one to a lesser one. Which of course would make anyone upset. What if you find you spent 50k on a car and you found they put some cheapo passenger door latch and you come in and they say you were cringe so they’re not going to answer or do anything?

Quick question did you spent the 2400 to buy the r3 ambi rifle? Or are you just a DD fan? And you’re okay and happy they put a cheaper lesser quality item in compared to the quality they shown in their promos? And you’re saying I should be happy they switched it to a lesser product and did a dirty switcharoo trick with an expensive premium item? So much for the 100% satisfaction guaranteed claims they make.

JFC

Dude, do you mind not posting anymore on this thread? I seen you post elsewhere and never once you really post anything useful. It seems like your primary purpose is to just annoy people with these thread links like you're some kind of Sherlock Holmes of the gun community.

I put a call in with DD today and talked to the rep. They do not sell the paddles with the bottom lug anymore and updated all their rifles to include the paddle with the bottom half like I shown and the top half like I shown.

They said they did this due to testing and found it would activate the bolt catch sometimes or it would cause the bolt to slip. I believe it since it adds weight to the paddle. He did mention that it will be kind of harder to push in the bolt catch but it was made that way and if I continue to have trouble I can send it in to have it looked at.

I'll update the OP with this info for anyone wondering too or having trouble using it with their left hand.

Since we're doing requests, I'd ask the same of you.

Arf has enough senseless drivel seeping in from left field.

You're the one making all these condescending posts as if you're some kind of detective hot on the case figuring out some great thing. Me personally I think you're full of completely useless information and always come on with some link like it's already figured out or you "got" someone. Personally I think you should just stop posting and don't bother with a reply either.

Walk it off tiger, nap time can't be far off.

"Did DD lied to us!???"  Seriously, at least attempt to convey your concerns in a logical/sound method in the future and maybe you'll be taken seriously.

As I said earlier, perhaps it was a bad choice of word joking around. However given how seriously you think it is tells me you got a serious problem and just how condescending you are with every thread where you only post links and never try to be helpful tells me that you got a very serious attitude problem. If I were you, I'd adjust it, but I can see your point that perhaps sarcasm and reading comprehension not exactly your strong suit.

Also, I don't need your help in the first place anyway. I just called DD and they were much more responsive and helpful than your silly butt ever will be in a week. I feel much better now too that they're just not responding to these posts on ar15.com but they care about their customers. Their response was much more helpful and educated than yours despite me being sarcastic. So don't worry I won't need your help then, now, or even in the future. I just wanted to call you out that you're condescending and unhelpful not just here but anywhere. If I was as malicious as you say I am, then couldn't I go back and "edit" the topic on hand. Did I do that? no I did not. Plus since you're a link dude, and got everything bookmarked, did you read my other topics? Cause I follow the same kind of sarcastic responses.

Your homework today is to make one helpful post that doesn't involve using some link. That's a personal challenge for you. It'll be hard but you can do it. Try it on a post that you think they're not being serious as a bonus extra credit.

I still don't see what DD supposedly changed.

What in fuck's name are you blubbering about? Your autistic rant left the rails.

The lower half of the left side bolt catch. It's missing the lower button. It's hard to spot on first glance and I missed it at the store myself. But it makes it a little harder to push inwards.

Now you're trying to be insulting? Look I already told you to stop posting in here and to go do your homework. No need to try and be insulting since you're already doing that with these excessive linking in threads that do nothing at all.

Do you still want to get rid of it?

Not after talking with the dd rep. I thought based on Tony the Tiger above that I was screwed but now I realize they just don’t respond to their industry forum and do indeed care about their customers.

I recently downsized my collection to just 1 rifle and 1 pistol. I have various reasons but want something nice. I actually sold my last spare rifle over the weekend and it came down to the dd and this other rifle and decided to keep the dd.

Might have a big update later this week. Want to thank Joe for reaching out to me. I’ll post some pictures later this week.

I got the updated bolt catch today from Joe on this site. I appreciate it and I can feel a massive difference in the handling now. I am glad I am able to get it back. Here is a comparison of the old vs new....



And now it works very, very well with gloves on...