Until recently, changing out the standard safety selector on an AR-15 is normally somewhat of an afterthought for me. Being right-handed, I’ve never had an issue with the standard mil-spec one that is found on most rifles. The Radian Talon changed that for me.
The Radian Talon ambidextrous safety selector is a versatile design that allows the shooter to choose between the standard 90-degree and short 45-degree throw. It is easy to install and is compatible with AR-15, AR-10/SR-25, SIG MCX, and SIG MPX platforms.
This safety selector upgrade is easy to install and worth the additional cost, in my opinion.
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What is the Radian Talon?
The Radian Talon sets itself apart in the market by being a modular design that allows users to choose from their selectors to fit their needs. Also, by rotating the selector shaft 180 degrees, you can switch between a 90-degree and 45-degree throw. The unique design uses dovetails and spring-loaded studs to secure the lever, meaning there are no screws to worry about.
The safety selectors are made of aircraft-grade aluminum and are finished with your choice of Mil-Spec Type-3 Hard-coat anodize, MP3, or Cerakote. The selector shaft is machined steel coated with a durable black nitride finish. The safety detent and spring are made of stainless steel and designed to provide a crisp feel when engaged.
What’s Included
The Radian Talon includes everything you need to install, minus the screwdriver or Allen wrench required to remove your rifle’s pistol grip. The package consists of two selector levers, one selector shaft, one selector detent, one selector detent spring, two retention studs and springs, and lastly, a tool used to depress the retention studs for assembly and disassembly.
How to Install the Radian Talon Ambi Safety
Installing the Radian Talon Ambidextrous safety is simple. There are a few more steps than your standard safety, but they are easy to do. A vise isn’t necessary; however, it makes the job a lot easier and keeps you from launching detents across the room. I find it best to position the receiver upside down in the vise during this installation. Doing it this way will allow you to use gravity to your advantage when installing the selector detent spring. As mentioned earlier, all the tools needed for this installation are included.
If you are interested in the vise that I use on my bench every day, check out this article that I wrote on the Real Avid Armorers Vise.
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- Remove the grip and old safety. Take care not to lose the selector detent and selector detent spring during this step.
- Insert the Talon selector shaft. Radian recommends applying a light coat of oil prior to installation. Insert it so that the detent groove is in the correct position and aligns with the selector detent. There are two positions this can be installed in, one is for the 90-degree throw, and the other is for the 45-degree short throw.
- Install the safety selector detent and spring.
- Reinstall the grip. Ensure that the selector detent spring is not kinked or bent during this step.
- Insert the spring-loaded retention stud and install the selector lever. The retention stud has two sides; the side with a slight groove goes onto the spring. Insert the spring end first and depress the stud. Then, slide the selector lever onto the dovetail.
- Repeat the last step for the opposing side.
How to Switch the Throw Configuration
Switching the throw configuration is extremely easy and allows you to try different configurations to see what works for you.
- Loosen the grip so you can rotate the selector 180 degrees, then retighten the grip.
- Remove and reinstall the levers in the correct position using the included tool, just like in Step 5 above.
Do a Safety Check
Last but not least, do a quick safety check to ensure that everything is working as intended. First, move the selector to the safe position and ensure that the gun doesn’t fire when the trigger is pulled. Next, move the selector to fire and ensure it does fire. When doing this step, do not allow the hammer to fall against the receiver, as it will damage it.
What I like about the Radian Talon Safety
My biggest complaint about ambi safeties on AR platforms is that the opposing side was always uncomfortable. The Radian Talon solved that problem for me. A combination of installing it with the short 45-degree throw and using the smaller selector lever eliminated that problem. This selector is as versatile as they come and will work great for both right and left-handed shooters.
Pick up a Radian Talon Safety Here!
Written by: Kurt Martonik
Kurt is a Gunsmith, Reloader, Hunter, and Outdoorsman. He grew up in Elk County, Pennsylvania, where he became obsessed with the world of firearms. Following high school, Kurt enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Boom Operator, where he eventually rose to the position of Instructor. After his military service, he attended the Colorado School of Trades(CST) in Lakewood, CO for gunsmithing. Following graduation, he accepted a job at C. Sharps Arms in Montana, where he worked as a full time stockmaker and gunsmith.