I have to say I was excited when Brett decided that he was going to make an extended charge handle latch for the 15-22, we had no viable aftermarket pieces that we could easily "make fit" like we can with the BAD Lever or some other items. And as any of you know, who run a scope right off the rail, that they tend to sit so low that operating the charge handle is a tricky affair at best!

Before I go into the review of the B.F.E.C.H.L I think I should first speak about it's durability. How you may ask do I know about the durability since I just got it? Well..... I received my B.F.E.C.H.L last week but I did not realize it. I opened the padded mailer and shook it and nothing came out. Normally I would have looked inside the envelope and would have found the B.F.E.C.H.L. But instead I had some other projects going on at the same time and I thought perhaps it fell out of the envelope somewhere along it's journey.

I threw the envelope in the garbage and that was that... But today I got to thinking, perhaps I should check that envelope again. I don't know if any of you have ever seen a Trash Compactor, I've had one for decades and it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. The down side is, typically if you throw anything in there and compact it, it's toast.

And that is exactly what I did. I had a weeks worth of garbage on top of that envelope, consisting of broken bottles, pizza boxes, skoal cans and old chaw...and more... (ugg). Undaunted I dug through the compactor till I found my way down to the envelope, I removed the envelope from the compactor expecting the worst! Much to my surprise and chagrin, there lay the BFECHL inside the bottom of the envelope in absolutely pristine condition! Oh yeah it's durable enough!

So enough about my "Blonde Moment" lets get down to the review!

We have come to expect machining perfection from Brett and he does not disappoint with this piece. It looks to me like the part is either CNC Plasma cut, CNC Water Jetted or CNC EDM'd from substantial flat stock. The contours are smooth and true, the dimensions match up perfectly with the stock part, as far as location of the pin hole is concerned. The finish is a super nice, mil-spec flat Parkerizing that looks right at home on the 15-22, it's a very flat dark gray/black in color.

Installation was a snap, the roll pin that S&W uses to retain the stock latch came out with very little pressure, I did not have the correct sized drift, so I used a similarly sized Allen wrench and it knocked the pin out without any issues at all. Make sure when you do this, that you are mindful of the spring behind the stock latch, don't let it get away from you.

As I expected, Brett's extended latch dropped right in, all the dimensions were SPOT ON and the roll pin pressed right back into place and that's it! The install is extremely easy and the part fits, period!

Feel? Oh the feel! The new latch has serrations on the leading edge where your finger can get a nice tactile grip on the part, the serrations are not sharp, they are just enough to give you good grip, either bare fingered or with gloves. The skeletonization of the new latch is really nice, since there is no need to have any more material there and add weight. I think it was a great decision by Brett to skeletonize this part, that's also more labor intensive and the finished product just looks uber professional.

So with all of that said, on a scale of 1 to 10, this is a 10 across the board! And with that being said, I give you the pictures!













Hey Brett I just wanted to say Thanks Again! Awesome product!

Excellent Review, Brett. The B.F.E.C.H.L is a great combination of Quality + Tacticool. Well done, Belt_Fed.

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Thanx for the reviews guys, great pics by the way... and I truely appreciate the help with the ad.. brett if you would like yours to look darker add alittle oil. Parking will make the metal absorb oil and yours looks alittle dry..

May have had something to do with the torture test

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

I turned mine into a Diamond using extreme trash compactor pressure

It actually is darker than what it appears in some of the photos, the flash makes it look a bit lighter.

Nice Pics Brett248Vista.. almost like you've taken a picture or two
I'd say it's time for a B.F.E.C.H.L. installation video, but it's so easy that anyone who needs a video should not be near firearms

BELT_FED: My GF's comments: "Wow! I always thought that little latch was a pain in the arse... That looks awesome!"

Thanks Whoppo, I've taken a "couple" pics over the years

I'm thinking an install video isn't required and I do agree if I have to shoot a video for this (and I can if someone asks) that maybe they shouldn't be upgrading parts

You gotta love a girl with taste...

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

My hunch is that this is going to be a very popular item. A short install vid might not be a bad idea with a link to the vid in the ad.

Knew you was going to say that......

Okay tomorrow I will shoot the vid

Because I'm such a nice guy....


Install and Review of Belt Fed's Extended Charge Handle Latch

Very nice (as expected)

Good job, Brett. I'm waiting impatiently for mine to get here so I can swap them out.

Another fine vid production by Brett248Vista!

I added the vid to Belt_Fed's 15-22 Classifieds ad. *** 15-22 Specific CLASSIFIEDS ***

Thanks Phil!

hey Brett just got around to checking out the video, Great Job.

whaaaawhooo, you know you have made it when you make it on youtube...

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

I got mine mounted in my charging handle and need to get the charging handle back in my rifle. No problems at all installing it. Can't wait to go shoot.

Brett,

I should have asked you first if I had permission to go on about you and your work, but I figured that'd be okay

cool. thanks for the writeup

very cool thanx again for the write up

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

No problem! Thanks again for making just about the coolest accessories for the M&P 15-22!

Got mine in the mail yesterday. Installed in about a minute using a thumbtack to push out the small retaining rod. Perfect fit and works flawlessly. Much easier to grab ahold of one-handed than the OEM part. Great job Belt Fed!

Want to thank Belt Fed for the great job of constructing a custom barrel shroud. It's perfect man! Plus he sent me a charging handle which works/looks 100 times better than the OEM. Good Work, good business...

Brandon

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thanx guys, im glad your happy with them.. enjoy the new look and function of your newly dressed up toys..

Just alittle trick of the trade: if your tac latch is alittle "greyer" than you would like add extra oil to it and let it sit over night.. parking makes the metal very dry and absorbant... if you "over" oil it will absorb the extra oil and turn darker

thanx, Brett

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

BELT_FED....

Your the man! Before I read your last post, I soaked the Latch with Hoppe's gun oil to darken the parkerizing while I disassembled charging handle. Your latch fits perfectly. Off to the gun club Saturday morning for some 1911 45 ACP drills and then the heavy hitting M&P 15-22!

Again thanks..

Thos.

BELT_FED...

Just received my extended charging handle. Took 1 minute to install. Looks great, works great! Thx again!

Neezer

Thanx guys, I'm glad your all happy with them.. hopefully this is the best bang for your buck you have spent on the 15-22.. Hopefully I can sale enough of these to get the money back ut we have invested to start the next project like a BAD lever or something simular..

Thanx again for keeping this thread open one positive feed back at a time

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

I've been saying this since I FIRST saw this gun. We need a forward assist, granted its not going to be functional. But still even the Colt Umarex has one, and we dont. Where as we have a functional bolt catch, and the Colt doesnt. Id love... LOVE to see some attachement that mimicks the FA. Id be VERY happy to pay for this! And im willing to be there are MANY users that feel the same way! As well as Id be on board for a BAD lever. But since the 15 22 is made to accept any regular AR 15 add on, wouldnt they fit already. Say if some one ordered one from Magpul, etc? I know the 15 22 charging latch is different, so the BAD could be as well, I just dont personaly know for sure.

Brett,

As much R&D as went into the latch, I don't know if you can recoup it! What I mean by that is.... You did a smashingly good job! (as always)

I don't know that I'd work on a BAD lever just because we can easily mod the existing model to work, a simple bend in the BAD Lever and it's good to go.

I think I would rather see you use your talent to design items for this platform that don't exist. I'm not sure what that is yet.. How about offering a direct bolt on A4 sight post kit.. You provide the spacer bushing, buyer supplies brand X A4 sight post.

How about a billet .50 cal upper? (Kidding!)

Ill be looking in to this next week...

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

*bump* for new members!

Received my Charging Handle last week , very good quality & easy to install . By the way 1/16 punch works perfect for the roll pin . Can't wait to try it out at the range .

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God Bless our Country & Family

Even with all the snow I just had to get out for some 15-22 time yesterday. Belt_Fed's extended charge handle sure was nice to have on the rifle when shooting with gloves on. Definitely a must have upgrade for the 15-22.

Where does one go to order one

Click here and see Belt_Fed ad. *** 15-22 Specific CLASSIFIEDS ***

I'll just add my "2 cents" about this product since I just installed it the other day. It is a very nice and well built product that went on very easily. It functions flawlessly and allows me to pull back the charging handle now (with my scope on it) without having to hold it in an awkward manner. Even if you just want to improve the aesthetics of the M&P 15-22, you should buy it. Looks a lot better and feels a lot better than the plastic stock latch.

and the good news is that I just got another batch done.. so if anyone is needing them 1 ive got plenty at the moment

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

I recieved mine few weeks ago . It works great ,I would highly recommend this upgrade for your charging handle . Its very easy to install also.

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God Bless our Country & Family

I just got mine in the mail. Excellent craftsmanship!!

I was able to darken it a little with gun oil, popped the pin, perfect fit and just in time because I just added a scope where the eye relief brings the scope right up to the end of the receiver
over the charging handle.

Fit and finish were perfect, thanks so much!!

Mark

yeah those look great belt_fed Ill order soon and good job brett248vista you always give good reviews!

Just got mine in the mail yesterday. Fit and finish is excellent. Craftmanship is top notch. Can't wait to try it at the range.

Is there any reason not to just spray it with some black paint instead of the oil for darkening purposes?

Yes, paint will change the thickness of the latch making it malfuntion.. when you parkerize metal it dries the metal out and even though I re oil them a couple times they still dry out from time to time like all ar-15 parts that are parked.. by oiling them like you should do all moving parts on a rifle you add back that darkend look after time they will stay blacker longer and longer and get darker and daarker..

Although some very light application of dura coat might work and stay in place over time

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

do you think you could make a whole assembly. with a steel or aluminum charging handle and the extended latch? i would be interested in something like that the plastic is weak and twists. just think it could be much better

After seeing the reviews, I took the leap and sent off the money. Was a little suspect of sending off $20 in the mail, but figured I should have a little faith. Mailed the check last Friday, and guess what arrives on Wed? How did he get my money from Oregon, package up the item in Tenn., and get it back to me that quick? Great customer service!

The handle was installed in less than two minutes and looks great. Functions perfect! Couldn't be happier. Thanks

I'm pretty sure that Belt Fed works through a worm hole. It's about the only plausible explanation.

Thanks, Belt_Fed, for a good, solid, working product! Got mine, got it installed and it works like it should. Took me 4 minutes to install .....(drat! Got hung up 3 minutes pushing out the existing pin!)

All okay, now!!!

Thanks Belt_Fed.

I just installed my charging handle two days ago and it works great. The parkerized look is great, it's lightweight, a direct drop-in and the functionality is excellent.

I think S&W may want to hire you as a consultant to do some R&D on their product line.

Thanks again and I hope to buy some more parts from you in the future!

Thanx we do aim to please..

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07/SOT2
NRA Instructor

Belt Fed aim's to please... I aim to kill.. :P

LOL

Bump to top. Lot's of new guys have probably not seen this product.