Charging Handle Advice - Raptor "SD" Worth the Premium?

[bonesaw00001]

Getting my AR parts questions out of the way and didn't see a forum post about this. Is buying a premium charging handle like the Raptor SD worth it to decrease gas blowback when running a suppressed AR, or is it simply marketing nonsense? Would love to benefit from y'all's experience rather than spending unnecessary funds myself ha.

 

[2muchcowbell]

Getting my AR parts questions out of the way and didn't see a forum post about this. Is buying a premium charging handle like the Raptor SD worth it to decrease gas blowback when running a suppressed AR, or is it simply marketing nonsense? Would love to benefit from y'all's experience rather than spending unnecessary funds myself ha.

I've enjoyed mine, it definitely helps with my .300 BLK. With my .223, I still notice gas in my face (but way less than a standard charging handle) if I'm moving forward while shooting. In stationary positions, I don't notice any gas. I also just love the design of the charging handle. Imo, that itself is worth the premium.

 

[bonesaw00001]

I've enjoyed mine, it definitely helps with my .300 BLK. With my .223, I still notice gas in my face (but way less than a standard charging handle) if I'm moving forward while shooting. In stationary positions, I don't notice any gas. I also just love the design of the charging handle. Imo, that itself is worth the premium.

Is the Raptor SD the best one for gas reduction then, or are there others you might recommend? On a totally unrelated note, anyone looking to sell their lightly used one at a discount?

 

[2muchcowbell]

Is the Raptor SD the best one for gas reduction then, or are there others you might recommend? On a totally unrelated note, anyone looking to sell their lightly used one at a discount?

It's the only one I've used, so it's the best I've ever tried! I can't really speak for others'.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

Here's another to consider:

https://geissele.com/super-charging-handle-schr-5-56.html

 

[bonesaw00001]

Here's another to consider:

https://geissele.com/super-charging-handle-schr-5-56.html

Nice, I'll check it out! I wonder - is the decreased gas blowback a function of the little ports along the "spine" of the charging handle, a better seal at posterior most aspect (next to the point you pull), or otherwise?