Charging Handle Operation Question

Robert Henley · Jul 3, 2023

Does the charging handle move to the rear when you fire the gun. I bought a new FPC on 6/27/23 from BPS, cleaned it, and went to the range and I guess the battery in the Nikon Spur I bought from MidwayUSA about four years ago as a clearance item apparently had run down as the red dot wasn't very bright in the sun. I had looked at it before taking to the range, and it was visible but that was inside and outside in the bright sun it was hardly visible.

I test fired it with the 17-round magazine with 17 bangs. Looking at another post from February/March timeframe it looked like some people had problems with the bolt. I assume S&W corrected and the current guns don't have that problem.

I bought a new CR1632 battery and installed, and ready to go to the range again. In shouldering the FPC with the Nikon Spur I have to put my nose pretty close to the charging handle, so my question is does the charging handle move backward when you fire it? I don't recall that being an issue at all when I test fired the 17 rounds, but of course my optic wasn't working well so I basically just pointed it toward the target without getting my nose too close to the charging handle.

ken158 · Jul 3, 2023

No, the charging handle only charges the chamber from a round in the mag.

marvin02 · Jul 4, 2023

The charging handle should not reciprocate with the bolt. It should work as an AR-15 does. Make sure that the charging handle is latched before firing.

There have been some reports of the handle moving when fired, if it does then there is something wrong and you need to contact S&W.

shipwreck · Jul 6, 2023

Someone on the forum I admin at has been posting videos. It seems that it sometimes moves, and sometimes not...

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5TWtko3QxM&t=21s[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D3k8wlGDp8&t=7s[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIxsG7omvc0&t=4s[/ame]

He states that he has tried several brands of ammo, and even soft reloads. There seems to be some inconsistency.

I will say that when I have fired mine, I swear that it moves sometimes.

Robert Henley · Jul 8, 2023

My first thought when I initially field striped and cleaned it was the charging handle seemed a little flimsy. Of course, it's made of plastic. I thought it might be a good idea to buy a spare in case it breaks. It seems clear from the above videos that the charging handle is moving back a half-inch or inch. It will be interesting to see how this issue develops.

Cups · Jul 10, 2023

I've had one or two shooters that have tried out my FPC complain about getting bopped on the nose with the charging handle. I've recorded my FPC firing and confirmed my charging handle doesn't reciprocate at all. I'll get more footage recorded later to verify.
I noticed the guys getting kissed by the charging handle on my FPC were putting their face down on the receiver tube instead of cheek rest on the stock.

Does It Reciprocate? - YouTube

Robert Henley · Jul 12, 2023

Cups said:
I've had one or two shooters that have tried out my FPC complain about getting bopped on the nose with the charging handle. I've recorded my FPC firing and confirmed my charging handle doesn't reciprocate at all. I'll get more footage recorded later to verify.
I noticed the guys getting kissed by the charging handle on my FPC were putting their face down on the receiver tube instead of cheek rest on the stock.

Does It Reciprocate? - YouTube

I watched the video, and I noticed you had what looked like a pair of back-up flip up Magpul sights installed. How are those working for you insofar as height of the sight when flipped up?

Cups · Jul 12, 2023

Robert Henley said:
I watched the video, and I noticed you had what looked like a pair of back-up flip up Magpul sights installed. How are those working for you insofar as height of the sight when flipped up?

I am indeed using Magpul's MBUS sights. I've found the height and eye relief to be a 'lil weird on the FPC. For me, the rear sight being farther away works great because I have an astigmatism in both eyes.
As for the height, I didn't notice any discomfort until I started trying them at 50 yards. At 30 yards and less, they're only slightly less comfortable than a red dot, but once you start trying to do some distance shooting, the discomfort sets in.
I've found that shouldering the rifle a 'lil higher than you would normally helps. Also, ensuring you don't crane your neck onto the receiver tube is helpful. When shooting I make sure my check weld is on the stock. This position is a little bit more scrunched up feeling than your standard AR-15 platform, but the stock has a surprisingly comfortable check weld. I shoulder the FPC in a similar way I would an AR with a fully collapsed stock.

I haven't tried much bench shooting with it outside of zeroing so I can't say much about that. I mostly use it standing at 30 yards and the iron sights are functional and comfortable enough to use at that distance. Probably wouldn't want to spend more than half an hour or so plinking with just the sights. This platform doesn't really seem to be designed with them in mind.
I love red dots and put them on anything but I also just don't like the idea of a rifle without iron sights so that why I put em on.

Charging Handle Operation Question

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