Hi all, Anyone wanting a cheap ambidextrous charging handle for their rifle? I have just adapted an cheap eBay AR15 ambidextrous, aluminium charging handle for my15/22 and it work a treat.
Handle was £8 off eBay, I cut it to the same length as the 15/22 handle which is about 3/4' shorter than the AR. I then blocked the inner end of the handle, the bit that pulls the bolt back, with chemical metal, then using a Dremel and the original handle as a pattern removed the chemical metal to match the original profile. I then drilled across the chemical metal into the sides of the charging handle with a 1.5mm drill and inserted a 1mm steel pin (tack nail) glued in place to strengthen the bolt pulling end.
I removed the black paint from the sides of the long part that insets into the receiver as it was a tight fit until it cycled cleanly. Lastly I removed a small amount of material from the charging handle securing hook with the Dremel as it didn't quite lock closed.
The results I now have a cool ambidextrous charging handle for £8.
If you can do a bit of DIY it's a cheap and easy modification which you can put back to standard very easily.
I will try and post some pictures to illustrate.

What does 8 pounds equal to in U.S. dollars? About $11.00?


Chemical metal? It that some epoxy? The idea sounds interesting. I'm curious to see how it holds up long term.

I am looking for something like that, since I am left handed. Are you selling them?

Has been almost a year, how is the modified handle working still?
I was wondering if a standard one could be shortened and modded to work,

While shipping is an issue ATM, there are a couple of ambi handles made. TACTICOOL22 in the USA make one and TacticalQM in South Africa make one.

To be fair someone has mentioned less than satisfactory use from a TacticalQM MRST one. Mine is fantastic and has been perfectly serviceable.

However the T22 one looks slicker. The TQM one is rather sharp amd jagged.

Get a Radian Raptor which also comes with an ambi safety. About $70 but no modifications needed.

The operative word here is cheap.

As a lefty I've had to make all kinds of alterations and learn new ways to do things. I can operate a regular charging handle, but it's much faster to have an ambi.

I bought a cheap one off ebay. Probably spent $20 or less for it. In the very first class that I used it, it broke. I've fixed it and it still works, but that one has proven to be unreliable under normal use. So, I bought a Raptor and haven't looked back. Worth every penny.

The best of charging handles for an AR are still the most delicate part of the AR. So, it's worth it not to skimp in this area.

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