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Smith Tactics
Overview
The Smith Tactics AR-15 Lightning Bolt Release is an extended bolt catch designed to enhance the functionality of your AR-15 platform. Made from durable 7075-T6 aluminum and finished with a nitride coating, this component ensures reliable performance while providing a more accessible release point for easier operation during reloads. This bolt catch is commonly found in builds utilizing a rifle-length gas system chambered in 5.56 NATO, making it an ideal choice for those focused on precision and efficiency.
Builders have been adding the Smith Tactics AR-15 Lightning Bolt Release to their builds on GunPartPicker since February 2026. All time, it ranks #56 of the 92 bolt catches builders have added. Builds with this bolt catch are mostly chambered in 5.56 NATO (86%, then .308 Win 14%), mostly on rifle-length gas (80%, then carbine-length 20%), and mostly AR-15 (70%, then AR-10 30%).
Today the one retailer we track is out of stock. Listed prices start at $59.99 at Brownells for when it comes back.
Updated · from real builds on GunPartPicker · Prices checked · refreshed daily across 31 retailers
We ranked every bolt catch by how often it shows up in real builds on GunPartPicker.
Read the guide: AR-15 Bolt Catch Guide →The part most often added in each category by the 36 builds that include this one
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Aggregated and anonymized data showing how builders use this product
Builds in the community that include the Smith Tactics Ar-15 Lightning Bolt Release
| Build | Parts | Total |
|---|---|---|
 | 32 | $4007.81 |
 | 32 | $4007.81 |
 | 33 | $3179.29 |
 | 25 | $3109.97 |
 | 16 | $822.64 |
1 global rating
Top reviews
Smith Tactics lightning bolt release has the lightning bolt shape engraved into the paddle. Anodize matches my Smith Tactics lower well. Mechanically the larger shelf makes empty mag lockback fast. Drops in with the standard catch spring.
