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06-01-2017, 11:25 PM
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Ambi AR Charging Handles .. Which One Did You Buy
New to the AR15 Platform and find the charging handle to not be wide enough .. My fingers seem to slip off about 1/2 the time before fully charging the weapon !! I also seem to try to put more pressure on the right side of the handle ..
So looking to get one with a wider handle I can hang on to and one that's ambidextrous ..
Any suggestions ?? What have you put on your AR ?? What have you bought and is now in the junk box ?? Any I should stay away from ??
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06-02-2017, 01:20 AM
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Noveske Super Bad A** (same as Geissele Super). Love the thing. But for what I paid for something that already was on the gun and worked fine, I better. Smooth, sturdy, can charge it from any angle.
Also have a BCM Gunfighter that seems even more solid, but will pinch you when it can. I like it too, just not as much as the Noveske.
Cousin got a Radian Raptor. Like it a lot, not as much as mine, but 100 compared to 98. Its nice.
Before that, he bought a POF Tomahawk. Sent it back because it kept sticking. Springs maybe, not sure. The force required to disengage the claw was more than the force required to pull the bolt back and it wouldn't release the claw unless you held it in place to move the latch open, then pulled the handle back.
On a budget for just an extended latch, we put a Strike Industries latch on my Uncle's Core 15. Cost like $8, works perfect. Not Ambi, but is extended and used the original handle with the new latch.
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06-02-2017, 06:00 AM
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Raptor, wife loves it on her Colt. Nicely made and very strong.
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06-02-2017, 07:11 AM
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My favorite is the Raptor, very smooth! Also have the BCM ambi, it works okay but I like the raptor better.
Next I want to try the new Geissele Airborne Charging Handle.
Geissele Airborne Charging Handle, 5.56mm, Black
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06-02-2017, 07:59 AM
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I bought a Raptor
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06-02-2017, 08:58 AM
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I bought a Raptor. I think it was around $77. I also found a Raptor clone (middle) for about $35. So far, the clone works fine, but I can tell it is not quite the same quality as the Raptor.
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06-02-2017, 11:34 AM
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As a lefty, the ambi charging handle is a necessity. I got the BCM Gunfighter Ambidextrous:
It is a tad wider than the Raptor and clones. I find it to be well built and far sturdier than the original GI charging handle. It was well worth the $85 and I'd buy it again if I build another AR.
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06-02-2017, 12:06 PM
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Branding is fine but I wish they wouldn't put all that high-contrast printed junk all over them. I'd buy a clone for that reason alone. But I guess it appeals to the ones that doll-up with paint.
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06-02-2017, 12:17 PM
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I agree with you Tinhack, but in this case none of it is seen except for the half a second the charging handle is pulled. And, 90% of the time, you should be able to operate your AR without touching the charging handle.
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06-02-2017, 12:56 PM
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Watch those I seen ones with the steel latch where it wears down the aluminum on the upper reciever..
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06-02-2017, 03:58 PM
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ALL charging handles have a steel latch.
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06-02-2017, 04:50 PM
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I love my Geissele Super Ambidextrous Charging Handle. I had a BCM Gunfighter before, which will go into a build I'm just starting.
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06-02-2017, 11:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rastoff
ALL charging handles have a steel latch.
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Ditto. Even the OEM latch is steel. I'm going to pull mine off and polish the ramp on it. I'm seeing wear on the upper and haven't even used the rifle much. Most of the charging has been during a fix to verify no more jamming.
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06-03-2017, 01:47 AM
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The part that gets me is I have a $95 charging handle on a $500 AR that already had one that worked fine. But I don't buy expensive clothes so I call it even.
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06-03-2017, 04:40 AM
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BCM
BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle (5.56mm/.223) w/ Mod 4 (MEDIUM) Latch.
Works great on a Delton Lightweight upper.
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06-03-2017, 11:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flash_80
The part that gets me is I have a $95 charging handle on a $500 AR that already had one that worked fine. But I don't buy expensive clothes so I call it even.
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At least if you only spend $500 on an AR you still have money left over to buy a $95 charging handle.
It's worse to spend $2000 on an AR and still feel the need to replace the charging handle.
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06-03-2017, 11:11 AM
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I love the ambi charging handles. I don't know why that isn't standard. I just don't understand why they cost so much.
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06-03-2017, 06:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bozz10mm
I just don't understand why they cost so much.
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It's a low use part that, if used properly, will never wear out. So, it's not a high volume sales product. Add that it takes many steps to produce and I'm not surprised at the price. It's simply not cheap to make stuff.
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06-03-2017, 08:32 PM
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I have multiple raptors and the Noveske Super Bad *** charging handles, which is just an upgraded raptor. They work great for my big ole sausage fingers
HaulBrass.com
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06-03-2017, 09:43 PM
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Stick a magnet to your charging handle hook and tell me if the magnet sticks.. mine is aluminum.. do a search on ar charging handle wear so scary you won't sleep at night
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06-03-2017, 10:51 PM
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All charging handles are aluminum. It's only the latch that's steel.
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06-03-2017, 11:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rastoff
All charging handles are aluminum. It's only the latch that's steel.
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Right the latch on the m&p sport 2 stick a magnet to the supposed steel latch tell me if the magnet sticks to it..
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06-03-2017, 11:19 PM
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Ah, I see what you mean. I don't have an original charging handle from a Sport, but let's see what people come back with.
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06-04-2017, 03:47 AM
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You might stick a magnet to the roll pin that holds the latch in place, but the latch on a Sport charging handle is aluminum.
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06-04-2017, 07:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flash_80
You might stick a magnet to the roll pin that holds the latch in place, but the latch on a Sport charging handle is aluminum.
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Yahtzee and the aluminum is cheaper on the sport 2 it gets torn up fast..
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06-04-2017, 04:20 PM
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I'm very disappointed to hear that actually. I mean, just how cheap can you be? I guess this is one way they keep the price so low.
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06-04-2017, 09:06 PM
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Raptors! Even on the M&P 10.
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06-05-2017, 01:00 AM
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I tried the Raptor and didn't like it.. Ended up getting the BCM mod5 (small). Absolutely love it and haven't looked back. Similar to the stock charging handle in ways, but at the same time, it's nothing like it. To add on top of that, most people who have handled my M&P15 have loved it as well ranging from family, friends, and several store employees from many local gun shops. Between the BCM and the JP SCS, she charges like silk.
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06-05-2017, 10:40 PM
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I like my BCM. It's solid and smooth, but it does pinch the donkey sheet out of me sometimes. Like my Noveske super B.A. even better.
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06-06-2017, 09:01 AM
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I have a Raptor and like it, but I never use the ambi so my other rifles are the BCMs, they are a bit cheaper but still work great.
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06-06-2017, 10:12 AM
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Here's some pics of mine for reference on how they look in the weapons, it's not always easy to tell by a picture of just the handle.
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06-06-2017, 01:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s2harry
BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle (5.56mm/.223) w/ Mod 4 (MEDIUM) Latch.
Works great on a Delton Lightweight upper.
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Thats the CH I have on most of my AR's. I tried a raptor ambi but it didn't seem to be that much more useful than the Mod 4. But that's just my opinion.
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06-06-2017, 09:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snm8510
I tried the Raptor and didn't like it.. Ended up getting the BCM mod5 (small). Absolutely love it and haven't looked back. Similar to the stock charging handle in ways, but at the same time, it's nothing like it. To add on top of that, most people who have handled my M&P15 have loved it as well ranging from family, friends, and several store employees from many local gun shops. Between the BCM and the JP SCS, she charges like silk.
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Is the BCM "ambi"? The OP asked about ambidextrous charging handles.
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06-06-2017, 09:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by webfarmer
Is the BCM "ambi"? The OP asked about ambidextrous charging handles.
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Nope, I attempted to go ambi with the Raptor and didn't like it so I returned it for the BCM Mod5. Just giving my experience with it and that while it sounds great, it's not for everybody
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06-06-2017, 09:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snm8510
Nope, I attempted to go ambi with the Raptor and didn't like it so I returned it for the BCM Mod5. Just giving my experience with it and that while it sounds great, it's not for everybody
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BCM does offer an ambi CH though. Looks like $85 at BCM website.
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06-06-2017, 10:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by webfarmer
BCM does offer an ambi CH though. Looks like $85 at BCM website.
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Yeah, they do, the Mod44 I believe. You can generally find them cheaper than that though.
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06-06-2017, 11:48 PM
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If you're not needing ambi and just want an extended length, you can just swap the lever on a stock handle with a strike industries latch for like $9. Works just as well as the BCM for that purpose. I mean, I can tell the difference in the stiffness of the BCM over a stock handle, but it's not like it doesn't already work.
Last edited by Flash_80; 06-06-2017 at 11:49 PM.
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06-07-2017, 12:00 AM
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Thanks to everyone for commenting on their choice and experience.. Looks like the raptor was the one most selected with the BCM coming in 2nd ..
Those are the two I have also been looking at .. but haven't decided yet ..
hdrolling - thanks for the pictures those help .. Yes it is sometimes hard to visualize what a part will look like on weapon !!
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06-07-2017, 09:07 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitwabit
Thanks to everyone for commenting on their choice and experience.. Looks like the raptor was the one most selected with the BCM coming in 2nd ..
Those are the two I have also been looking at .. but haven't decided yet ..
hdrolling - thanks for the pictures those help .. Yes it is sometimes hard to visualize what a part will look like on weapon !!
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Your welcome, and if your still unsure between the BCM and Raptor the the Geissele looks like a mixture of the two. It looks like Geiseele took the main center shaft of a BCM and added the side handle of a raptor to make their product.
(These are not my pics) Super charging handle on the left, bigger side arms. Airborne charging handle on the left with the shorter handles (more like the raptor)
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06-09-2017, 02:38 AM
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Chiming in again because I ain't got nothing better to do. I have a BCM ambi. I bought a Noveske super BA (Geissele Super basically) for my other rifle. Cousin got a Raptor.
The Noveske Super to me is the best of the bunch for smoothness of pull, with the Raptor coming in 2nd. The BCM has the sturdiest feel of the three.
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06-10-2017, 10:43 AM
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There is a lot of good choices out there, do your research as you are doing here on this forum and you will find the one that fits your needs. My choice was the Raptor.
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11-02-2017, 09:44 PM
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Not All
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rastoff
ALL charging handles have a steel latch.
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My Raptor has an Aluminum latch. A magnet will not stick to the latch.
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11-03-2017, 06:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gas tube
Watch those I seen ones with the steel latch where it wears down the aluminum on the upper reciever..
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A dab of silicone grease does wonders against wear and doesn't run in warm weather.
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