Abstract: A charging handle includes a shaft, a front end that is operably coupled to a firearm bolt carrier, and a head that is located on an opposite end of the shaft from the front end. One or more ventilation features may be located in a first half of the length of the shaft proximate to the front end of the charging handle to prohibit exhaust that travels from the front end along the upper surface and/or side surfaces of the shaft from reaching the rear of the firearm and/or the head of the charging handle.

Abstract: A safety selector for a firearm includes a shaft configured to rotate within the firearm and a selector lever coupled to the shaft. A first selector slot is provided in the shaft, and a rotational constraint device is configured to restrict a rotational movement of the shaft as a function of the first selector slot in response to actuation of the selector lever. Additionally, a second selector slot is provided in the shaft, and the second selector slot is configured to provide a different rotational movement of the shaft as compared to the first selector slot when the rotational constraint device is engaged with the second selector slot.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide firearm receiver with ambidextrous features. Some of these features include a bolt-locking mechanism on a firearm receiver that is configured to allow an operator to clear jams while maintaining hold of a firing grip. The bolt-locking mechanism may include a linking mechanism configured to manipulate a bolt-catch device in response to activation of a magazine release button on a firearm receiver. Other features include an ambidextrous magazine release mechanism on a firearm receiver that is configured to allow an operator to release an inserted magazine while maintaining hold of a firing grip with either hand. The magazine release mechanism may include a linking mechanism configured to manipulate a magazine catch device in response to activation of either a right-handed magazine release button or a left-handed magazine release lever that pivots on an external fulcrum on a firearm receiver.