User Panel
Posted: 4/24/2022 4:20:28 PM EDT
Looking to upgrade the charging handle on my AR. Looking for a rundown of what to look at as I've seen it's not something to cheap out on. Pros / Cons of some out there? What should I avoid?
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Geissele ACH
Radian FCD ACF LWRC Ambi All pretty solid and pricey BCM is a decent CH, I have a few of those |
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As funds permit, I'm standardizing all my ARs to Radian Raptor charging handles.
They are a very well made ambidextrous charging handle that has levers that are easy to grasp without sticking out too far to snag on everything. |
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You don't need to spend a ton for a good charge handle. Go with one made of 7075 not 6061 aluminum. I've used several brands but those made of 6061 wear a lot quicker and are generally more flimsy.
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Im one cheap sob. I always went the cheapest I could find. On a whim I bought a Radian from MidwayUSA.
Wow, makes the whole charging thing different. No wobble, Solid Recommend. |
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Ran a FAL for so long as my only EBR that when I sold it and got an AR I opted for the left side of the receiver non-reciprocating charging handle from NFA/Spartan based on the Gibbz patent (didn't like the machining cuts or extra cost of the Gibbz vs. NFA/JoeBobs/Spartan)
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Timely topic as I’ve been looking to upgrade myself. Thank you for the recommendations.
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I really like the Radians for my scoped AR's
For the RDS ones, the BCM is great. I have to admit, I don't have a single USGI CH on any of mine. On a side note... way does a decent CH cost so much ? Radians are as much as a decent BCG. |
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I appreciate all the suggestions everyone! Huge help for being someone relatively new to building AR's.
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I use Strike Industries latchless charging handles on all my AR's, but I'm not a high speed operator soooo.....
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I run a BCM Mod 4B, then non ambi version and it is a solid CH that does not stick out so far that it catches on clothes or kit.
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I went all the way up to a Radian Raptor and then back to the VLTOR 556 for my home guns AND my work gun. You can usually find them for $30-40.
The Radian does absolutely nothing that’s worth the price. Actually after a few thousand rounds I can’t really say it does anything at all that a regular charging handle doesn’t for a right handed shooter. It’s IG flex and that’s about it. |
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Quoted: FPNI but G is best of the suggestions. View Quote |
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VLTOR. Good shape for grip and they’re forged like they’re supposed to be.
The rounded point shape of the Geissele is kinda slippery and just machined from billet like any other cheap handle. |
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Wait for memorial day, Independence day or black Friday sales and snag a Geissele charging handle. They are really nice and imo worth the price.
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Next Level Armament
Radian strike industries Geiselle Breek Arms war hammer is great for $40 So many options... |
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BCM is good for the price.
PRI's gasbuster is okay if you use a suppressor. Radian is very nice. LMT's factory ambi is functional. |
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Beware of the overly long latches on charging handles as they tend to snag on damned near anything around. I would rather struggle a little to get ahold of the charging handle, than having one that catches on everything, pokes me in the side, and is generally a nuisance. I took one of those off and tossed it in the spare parts bin, then replaced it with a GI charging handle until I could find one with a latch that was easier to use, but not so large it caught on everything.
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Quoted: Beware of the overly long latches on charging handles as they tend to snag on damned near anything around. I would rather struggle a little to get ahold of the charging handle, than having one that catches on everything, pokes me in the side, and is generally a nuisance. I took one of those off and tossed it in the spare parts bin, then replaced it with a GI charging handle until I could find one with a latch that was easier to use, but not so large it caught on everything. View Quote Huh? I've used Radians in classes before with gear, some involving getting in and then out of vehicles, nothing had ever been caught on them. |
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Quoted: Beware of the overly long latches on charging handles as they tend to snag on damned near anything around. I would rather struggle a little to get ahold of the charging handle, than having one that catches on everything, pokes me in the side, and is generally a nuisance. I took one of those off and tossed it in the spare parts bin, then replaced it with a GI charging handle until I could find one with a latch that was easier to use, but not so large it caught on everything. View Quote I agee with the other post above. Radian Raptor has rounded edges and will not snag. Others with extended levers were terrible. Try carrying with a two point sling across your back as a test. The Raptor is quite comfortable. |
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Noob question:
Are these charging handles always literally drop-in? No one is doing any filing or fitting, correct? |
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Quoted: I have one and really like it. I plan on ordering another one in the next month. I am short one. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I use Strike Industries latchless charging handles on all my AR's, but I'm not a high speed operator soooo..... I have one and really like it. I plan on ordering another one in the next month. I am short one. Yup, I have about 6 or 7 or them them. That is all I use. Some are the standard versions, some are the extended latch. I like both for different purposes. (Extended on my HD, standard on my SHTF or something that would spend a lot of time slung. I also had Extended on a long range gun, because it was easier to grab with scope overhang). |
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I have several of one's mentioned. I can't afford top shelf but a few I definitely like and own are
BCM 4 med Radian VLTOR Strike Industries |
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Quoted: I use Strike Industries latchless charging handles on all my AR's, but I'm not a high speed operator soooo..... View Quote Picked up one of those for my AR45, but then decided I wanted a side charger, so bought a Devil Dog conversion, and the latchless is going to the next show I set up at. |
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Quoted: Some of the Strike Industries CH will filet your finger if it slips. The latch is too sharp. They have done nothing to fix this. I had to file all of mine down to make them safe. I circled the spot that is sharp as fuck: https://i.imgur.com/Ys49zjA.jpg I Like the Geissele and the Gas busters. Brownells had a cheap one that I bought that works well, I will try to find it. >>Warhammer, so cheap, I bought three of them. They are pretty decent for the price. View Quote Folks in this thread are referring to the latchless design. |
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If concerned with strength, there is always the Power Custom steel charge handle.
=Power Custom steel charge handle |
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Quoted: If concerned with strength, there is always the Power Custom steel charge handle. =Power Custom steel charge handle View Quote I'd like to see pictures of high end, broken CH's |
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Just bought my first Radian SD-SL. Will be switching all of my rifles to this, over time.
Kicking myself for not buying one sooner. |
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I'm not a fan of aftermarket charging handles if having to run a sling, but for competition use they're cool. I feel aftermarket charging handles can lead to ripped fingers and depending on how you sling/hang, can lead to hangups. Some of those aftermarket handles look like Ham antennas.
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Quoted: I'm not a fan of aftermarket charging handles if having to run a sling, but for competition use they're cool. I feel aftermarket charging handles can lead to ripped fingers and depending on how you sling/hang, can lead to hangups. Some of those aftermarket handles look like Ham antennas. View Quote |
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Quoted: Some of the Strike Industries CH will filet your finger if it slips. The latch is too sharp. They have done nothing to fix this. I had to file all of mine down to make them safe. I circled the spot that is sharp as fuck: https://i.imgur.com/Ys49zjA.jpg I Like the Geissele and the Gas busters. Brownells had a cheap one that I bought that works well, I will try to find it. >>Warhammer, so cheap, I bought three of them. They are pretty decent for the price. View Quote Quoted: @wildearp Thanks for sharing that and mine has that sharp edge. Going to have to get the dremel on that! That's on the top and bottom edge as well. Thx for sharing and they need to QC that a little better, for sure https://i.postimg.cc/VsSQv8cr/SIchandle.jpg View Quote I have a few SI latches that I used to replace latches on USGI handles. They work great and really improve the ease of use compared to the standard USGI. Definitely need to file those edges down, though. |
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Be very suspicious of charging handles with large, extended latching mechanisms because they tend to get caught on damned near everything, especially when you don't want them to. I got rid of the early model charging handles with the extended latches because of their tendency to hook onto and catch on damned near anything.
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