Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default Aftermarket.charging handle for AR

    Are they worth it?
    Here's the situation, I've got a lower to mid range AR15 with a Sig Bravo 5 on it, and mil spec charging handle. I like the optic but it does have a shity eye relief, something like 2.5", which means it has to sit pretty far back on the pic rail making it cumbersome to operate the charging handle. Generally I don't like shit sticking out from my rifles so I tend to shy away from extended this and extended that, but I'm thinking about getting an extended charging handle, still, I don't want to spend a fortune on it if it's not going to make much difference.
    Last edited by ray h; November 6th, 2021 at 10:03 PM.
    The Hostler

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
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    Default Re: Aftermarket.charging handle for AR

    There are lots of styles and sizes of latches on the market.

    I like a "medium" latch, but the thing I hate about them, is that they jam right into my chest when I sling a rifle, so I mostly stick to the standard charging handle. For a scoped gun, yeah, that's a benefit to be able to get ahold of it better.


    I have a Strike Industries ARCH-EL (extended latch) and I like it.
    There are certainly more robust charging handles, but for $35, it works for me. I'm not spending $65-$150 on a charging handle.
    I just look for something made of 7075 aluminum.

    Used to be that everyone wanted a BCM Gunfighter on their fighting rifle. Still a solid choice, for only a little more money.
    I have one of those as well - the "medium".
    In this link, they mention the dimensions of the varous sizes as compared to a standard charging handle latch.
    https://ar15discounts.com/products/b...-medium-latch/
    Last edited by Emptymag; November 6th, 2021 at 10:06 PM.
    I called to check my ZIP CODE!....DY-NO-MITE!!!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
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    Stone's throw from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    (Butler County)
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    Default Re: Aftermarket.charging handle for AR

    It all comes down to how you want to operate the gun. The standard charging handle works fine if you're using two fingers with your right hand. I would rather maintain my firing grip with my right hand. My BCM Gunfighter handle lets me keep my right hand on the pistol grip and charge the gun with my left index finger.

    I use a 2-point sling and carry the extended handle doesn't dig into my chest.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
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    Upper Bucks, Pennsylvania
    (Bucks County)
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    Default Re: Aftermarket.charging handle for AR

    To me it's worth it. I have some VLTOR gunfighter CHs. Pretty nice for $50ish

    I just got a Radian Raptor but it's still in the package.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
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    Glockin, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Aftermarket.charging handle for AR

    Geissele airborne meets your needs. Extended a bit, but it's the smaller version. Though may be on the upper end of pricing.

  6. #6
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    Moscow, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Aftermarket.charging handle for AR

    If you shoot suppressed the charging handles designed for gas mitigation are worth every penny

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
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    Shamokin, Pennsylvania
    (Northumberland County)
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    Default Re: Aftermarket.charging handle for AR

    I second the Strike Extended CH that Emptymag mentioned. Decent but still affordable option to some of the bigger name ones. Have a few of the Strikes, and like them. Especially for scoped guns, I find it makes a world of difference.

  8. #8
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    Mar 2008
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    RINO-land
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    Default Re: Aftermarket.charging handle for AR

    They have their purpose.
    I like BCM's.
    They aren't very pricey.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Belly of the BEAST, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
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    Default Re: Aftermarket.charging handle for AR

    Wouldn't go back to the garbage "mil-spec" design.

    Ambidextrous is too nice.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
    (Franklin County)
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    Default Re: Aftermarket.charging handle for AR

    Thanks for everyone's input.
    I was able to move my Bravo5 back and still effectively use the mil-spec CH with little issue. I had to change technique a little but the release lever was still easy to find. I inadvertently got more practice at it than I had planned to in one range trip as I forgot my mags and had to lock the bolt back after every round.
    The Hostler

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