AR charging handle - upgrade or not upgrade?
- Thread starter Kurbsky
- Start date
Chipperman
New member
If the standard one works well for you, then it may not be worth it.
I'm lefty so I prefer ambi handles. Standard ones can also be hard to grab if you have a scope mounted just above it.
I'm lefty so I prefer ambi handles. Standard ones can also be hard to grab if you have a scope mounted just above it.
Txhillbilly
New member
I shoot LH, and use the standard charging handle on all of my AR's, never been an issue with me. Plus, I run scopes on all my guns.
Doc Intrepid
New member
Respectfully, IMHO this discussion overlooks one critical aspect:
You may be assuming that any use of the rifle for actual self-defense will occur in an environment where you have full use of both arms and hands. In fact, many real life examples indicate you may lose use of either a hand or an entire arm during an encounter. You may need to run that rifle using only one arm and hand.
Will Petty has several videos that explain how to do that with both rifles and handguns, and has conducted training in same with numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Note the utility of the ambidexterous charging handle. These videos are worth your review, and perhaps some range time to practice:
AR rifles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghy6akCjEnM
Handguns - similar ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBAcyST32ew
Remember the lessons from the 1986 FBI gunfight with Platt & Matix and Murphy's Law: "whatever can go wrong will, and at the worst possible time". It is true.
It is unwise to expect you will go through an actual engagement retaining full use of all your faculties. Ambidextrous charging handles are worthwhile investments if you ever envision potentially using your rifle in any environment other than a range environment.
Just MHO. YMMV.
You may be assuming that any use of the rifle for actual self-defense will occur in an environment where you have full use of both arms and hands. In fact, many real life examples indicate you may lose use of either a hand or an entire arm during an encounter. You may need to run that rifle using only one arm and hand.
Will Petty has several videos that explain how to do that with both rifles and handguns, and has conducted training in same with numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Note the utility of the ambidexterous charging handle. These videos are worth your review, and perhaps some range time to practice:
AR rifles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghy6akCjEnM
Handguns - similar ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBAcyST32ew
Remember the lessons from the 1986 FBI gunfight with Platt & Matix and Murphy's Law: "whatever can go wrong will, and at the worst possible time". It is true.
It is unwise to expect you will go through an actual engagement retaining full use of all your faculties. Ambidextrous charging handles are worthwhile investments if you ever envision potentially using your rifle in any environment other than a range environment.
Just MHO. YMMV.
Destructo6
New member
I shoot right handed, but manipulate the charging handle with the left (support) hand.
The standard charging handle works just fine, but a slightly extended catch works better.
The standard charging handle works just fine, but a slightly extended catch works better.
DubC-Hicks
New member
I prefer extended latches, and preferably ambi. My favorite is the Raptor, but a few of my rifles sport BCM handles. I find them easier to manipulate in actual shooting scenarios, and especially if using gloves.
imashooter
New member
There are some really flimsy CHs out there. The worst I'm aware of are from PSA. Aside from their CH, I'm gtg with PSA. Many good ones available. For a basic good quality CH, I like Colt or whoever their manufacturer is. For a bit more I like the Raptor LT.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately and my spouse expressed more interest in becoming proficient with an AR, and I think better handles will help.
I do attempt to install scopes with enough eye-relief to avoid it being on top of the CH, but that’s not always possible.
I’ve also been practicing things one-handed, and the plain charging handles do make things like that tricky.
I have never owned, or even used anything other than the milspec type.
I do attempt to install scopes with enough eye-relief to avoid it being on top of the CH, but that’s not always possible.
I’ve also been practicing things one-handed, and the plain charging handles do make things like that tricky.
I have never owned, or even used anything other than the milspec type.
Chipperman
New member
The eyepiece of the scope can end up right over the handle, depending on the mount and how far back you put it. A handle with longer arms makes it easier to grab, it does not necessarily need to be ambi to help.
You can try it first with the standard handle and see how it works for you. Swapping out the handle takes about 10 seconds.
If you get a scope with generous eye relief, you may be able to push it far enough forward as to not matter
You can try it first with the standard handle and see how it works for you. Swapping out the handle takes about 10 seconds.
If you get a scope with generous eye relief, you may be able to push it far enough forward as to not matter
