The AR-15 charging handle is a weird little thing. Although it’s placed in a neat recess inside the upper receiver and tucked away without being too much of snag hazard, it’s important to access quickly it in order to clear the action from a malfunction. The traditional AR-15 charging handle design’s “T” shape leaves a lot to be desired, as it’s not ambidextrous, so manipulating a carbine’s action off the left shoulder can be awkward.
We’ve seen the features of the “the black rifle” advance over the last two decades, and modern AR-15 charging handles have also kept up. Today’s fully featured AR-15 charging handles are ambidextrous and can be pulled from either side, something that was awkward, if not impossible, before. Also, since shooting suppressed is becoming the rule, not the exception, modern AR-15 charging handles are designed to shroud the shooter from excessive backpressure gasses.
Radian Weapons Raptor Series (MSRP: Starts at $104.95)
Radian Weapons’ Raptor charging-handle series covers a wide spectrum of modern AR-15 applications. I’ve used a few different models, including the standard full-aluminum Raptor and Raptor LT “lightweight” (an aluminum and polymer hybrid). The Radian Raptor Series also fits most standard AR-15s and SR-25-pattern large-frame AR-10s. Its skeletonized latches are slightly angled rearward to provide leverage and to stick out to just about the perfect length on either side.
BCM Ambidextrous MK2 Charging Handle (MSRP: $89.95)
Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) was one of the first online AR-15 companies and retailers to offer upgraded charging handles. It wasn’t too long ago that putting a BCM “Gunfighter” AR-15 charging handle on your carbine was the “cool guy” move to make. The original “Gunfighters” were around before the fully ambidextrous units came into play. Now BCM offers its MK2 charging handle, which is fully ambidextrous. The MK2’s design offers a gas shield around its rear. Like the BCM Gunfighter of old, buyers can choose different MK2 variants depending on how far out they want the latches of the charging handle to protrude. For example, medium latch versions pair well with general-purpose carbines while large-latch versions work well for scoped rifles like SPRs.
Forward Controls Design ACF (MSRP: $120)
Forward Controls Design (FCD) took a different approach in the design and execution of its popular ambidextrous charging handle, the Forward Controls ACF (Ambidextrous Charging Handle, Forward Controls). Whereas virtually every other modern ambidextrous charging handle design has a parallel set of protruding latches, the ACF actually closely emulates the original style AR-15 charging handle, while still providing ambidextrous functionality and including a gas shield. FCD’s design philosophy concerned parts durability, the ACF maintains the original’s standard monolithic fixed T-shape profile. Instead of larger articulating latches, however, the ACF has a pair of smaller latches that are shielded by its own monolithic T-shape. This provides a low-profile charging handle that is barely wider than the original to avoid becoming a snag hazard.
Sons Of Liberty Gun Works Liberty Charging Handle (MSRP: $95)
One of the most important design considerations for the Sons Of Liberty Gun Works (SOLGW) for the Liberty Charging Handle was to create a charging handle that worked well with heavy suppressed carbine shooting, so adding a prominent gas shield was of main concern. The SOLGW Liberty Charging Handle’s latches also have a forward angled, fan-shaped profile to reduce snagging, provide lateral leverage and clear mounted riflescopes.
Geissele URG-I Airborne Charging Handle (MSRP: $118)
The Geissele URG-I Airborne Charging Handle is notable because this unit was originally designed at the request of a specific military unit that specializes and is well-known for its aerial insertions. This charging handed ended up becoming standard across other special operations units and even has its own NSN (National Stock Number). Like other modern contemporary ambidextrous AR-15 charging handles, it includes the requisite large latches and gas shield to accommodate suppressed carbine use.
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