yet another stupid n00b question: charging handles?

[mikeshaw2]

So I see charging handles from $20ish to $lots

Other than the name on the handle, is there an *actual* difference? Mil-spec would seem to be mil-spec...

Color me confused

M

 

[b6graham]

width
shape
ambi

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Are you asking about straight up mil spec handles? Because they should never cost more than $20.

 

[ut755ln]

So I see charging handles from $20ish to $lots

Other than the name on the handle, is there an *actual* difference? Mil-spec would seem to be mil-spec...

Color me confused

M

Yes, some of them have porting to help push gas away from your face when shooting suppressed.

 

[alamo5000]

There are tons of things to consider when buying a charging handle. Some of those things have already been listed above.

The ergonomic design matters. Some cheap handles have really sharp edges and are extremely uncomfortable.

Some expensive ones are for special needs like venting gas away from the shooter.

The most critical thing though is durability. I've seen people literally rip the handle off of the rest of the charging handle before.

I've also seen charging handles that get stuck in the upper receiver. The pivot pin worked it's way out just enough to bind up the whole rifle and render the gun unusable until surgery happened.

I've also seen handles that needed to be sanded down to work properly.

More than anything though some really cheap ones are cheap for a reason. Having a gun part made out of cheap recycled Chineseum is not a good thing.

The cosmetics are just one aspect. The ergonomics are also just one aspect. The stuff that is most important in my book though is what is it made of and how durable is it?

In my opinion a charging handle is one of the key components to reliable function. If it breaks you are S.O.L. so buy accordingly.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

If you use some different ones, you will understand the differences better. Some are just a lot easier to operate, some are ambidextrous and a joy for right handed shooters stuck in weird firing positions.
I shoot suppressed and the cheap ones have enough gap around the handle that you get smoke to the face. Well worth the cost to avoid that.

 

[Jgault]

There are tons of things to consider when buying a charging handle. Some of those things have already been listed above.

The ergonomic design matters. Some cheap handles have really sharp edges and are extremely uncomfortable.

Some expensive ones are for special needs like venting gas away from the shooter.

The most critical thing though is durability. I've seen people literally rip the handle off of the rest of the charging handle before.

I've also seen charging handles that get stuck in the upper receiver. The pivot pin worked it's way out just enough to bind up the whole rifle and render the gun unusable until surgery happened.

I've also seen handles that needed to be sanded down to work properly.

More than anything though some really cheap ones are cheap for a reason. Having a gun part made out of cheap recycled Chineseum is not a good thing.

The cosmetics are just one aspect. The ergonomics are also just one aspect. The stuff that is most important in my book though is what is it made of and how durable is it?

In my opinion a charging handle is one of the key components to reliable function. If it breaks you are S.O.L. so buy accordingly.

This correct all around. If your talking about mil spec handles they are under 20 bucks and will last, if your talking about something like the warhammer in the 20 range the pins will break, the handle will bend and do allot of unpleasant things as will all Chinese handles. In comparison I have a raptor and multiple bcm’s that are 10 years old, and other than some finish wear are still gtg.

 

[acudaowner]

some people like thicker handles some smaller , while others only handle them self and yet others will not

 

[alamo5000]

Something people don't take into account is just how much abuse a charging handle must take.

Another thing they don't think about is without a charging handle the gun will not function.

If you ever get a stuck case your handle needs to be able to handle getting it out.

And like I mentioned above one handle had the pivot pins walk out just a little bit. He then pulled the handle back and ripped it. That was the last thing he did that day, well other than try to disassemble his rifle. That little protruding pin got firmly wedged in the upper and it was a royal pain in the ass to get it out. If I recall it took about an hour or more to get it loose.

A muzzle device for example might suck and you might not like it but the gun will still work. If your charging handle breaks or something like I described above the gun will not work until it's fixed.

 

[Milf Dots]

Geissele
BCM
Radian

 

[hlee]

God I hate to say it, but the Geissele ambi gas busting charging handle is worth every penny over a mil spec handle. But, if you are comparing mil spec to mil spec, No I don’t think there is a difference that justifies a cost increase- for the average civilian shooter.

 

[S197]

So I see charging handles from $20ish to $lots

Other than the name on the handle, is there an *actual* difference? Mil-spec would seem to be mil-spec...

Color me confused

M

Here are a few reasons someone would need an aftermarket charging handle.

dual release ( I have a tendency to apply more pressure to the right of the handle, which is bad in an emergency)

magnified optics can block a standard charging handle.

suppressor host- standard charging handle do not block/ divert gas from the user.

as for pricing, you pay for the bands that have a strong history for producing dependable products.

 

[rpoL98]

ergo's matter, especially if you have a scope mounted. Often, due to eye-relief constraints, the eye-end of the scope extends over the CH. In this case, ambi, and paddle-size make a difference in ease in grasping the CH to pull it to the rear. getting the fingers in under the scope and getting a good hold of the CH handles or paddles.

 

[Steve_In_29]

I like the feel of the Aero "Breach" (large lever) and have them on all my rifles.

 

[Vynz]

I have settled into two charging handles the Radian Raptor and Zev.

I tried the Radian first it’s super comfortable in the hand using both and over hand grip and a bladed hand from the right and left. I think the basic all metal version is the best. The LT has plastic handles, the SD just seems like they added voodoo cuts, and the slim handles I find less ergonomic.

The Zev handle differs from the Radian as the handles don’t actuate. The fastening clip itself is what is spring loaded to hold to the upper. In this design the handles and charging bar are a single solid piece which I think improves overall durability. However coming from a Radian or other design where the handles actuate make this feel a bit odd in the hand - nothing moves you just have to jerk it.

I think both of these designs are much better than the Mil-spec design for quick ambidextrous use. Are they worth up to $100 - probably not. But it was worth it to me to get the base models.

 

[Steve_In_29]

I have settled into two charging handles the Radian Raptor and Zev.

I tried the Radian first it’s super comfortable in the hand using both and over hand grip and a bladed hand from the right and left. I think the basic all metal version is the best. The LT has plastic handles, the SD just seems like they added voodoo cuts, and the slim handles I find less ergonomic.

The Zev handle differs from the Radian as the handles don’t actuate. The fastening clip itself is what is spring loaded to hold to the upper. In this design the handles and charging bar are a single solid piece which I think improves overall durability. However coming from a Radian or other design where the handles actuate make this feel a bit odd in the hand - nothing moves you just have to jerk it.

I think both of these designs are much better than the Mil-spec design for quick ambidextrous use. Are they worth up to $100 - probably not. But it was worth it to me to get the base models.

That Zev charging handle uses a spring-loaded, steel catch and forcing that over the aluminum to unlatch is going to wear the receiver out quick.

 

[UpSideDown]

Most ambi charging handles make life a little nicer, but only a few have the T handle integral to the body of the handle. Consider what you’d be putting your boot against if you have a jam that required you to mortar the charging handle. I have radian LT’s and BCM’s with the small side ambi handle. I like them both if things are fine, but if you need to mortar the thing, I would prefer something else. A PRI handle with the big latch or a mil-spec handle are going to be good bets. I like the small latches inside vehicles, they can be nicer on the vehicle interior and catch less stuff.