-
Update – 12:30 PM EST
Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.
Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences
Can a milspec AR15 charging handle latch be modified to work in our charging handles?
- Thread starter USAF1980
- Start date
CrazyFingers
Well-known member
If you're talking about just the latch part of the handle, someone's already made a custom latch for the 15-22, search the forums.
If you mean to modify an entire AR-15 charging handle, it's not going to work.
The 15-22 charging handle is considerably shorter than an AR-15 handle and has a solid front vs. the AR-15's hole for the gas tube. The AR-15 handle is also flared out in the middle where it fits into the slot in the upper. I don't think you can just cut the end off an AR-15 handle and still have it catch the nub on top of the 15-22 bolt. I'm also not sure what kind of differences there are where the latch connects with the upper as I've never tried swapping my rifle latches.
Has your 15-22 charging handle broken or given you problems? I'm sure that S&W would replace it if you called them.
If you mean to modify an entire AR-15 charging handle, it's not going to work.
The 15-22 charging handle is considerably shorter than an AR-15 handle and has a solid front vs. the AR-15's hole for the gas tube. The AR-15 handle is also flared out in the middle where it fits into the slot in the upper. I don't think you can just cut the end off an AR-15 handle and still have it catch the nub on top of the 15-22 bolt. I'm also not sure what kind of differences there are where the latch connects with the upper as I've never tried swapping my rifle latches.
Has your 15-22 charging handle broken or given you problems? I'm sure that S&W would replace it if you called them.
Last edited:
i almost bought a badger ordinance when they went on sale a couple weeks ago to try but ended up making one out of a T shaped piece of aluminum.. turned out ok and seems to be strong enough so far.. charging handle twist a bit now..
i think he just wants a milspec latch on his stoch charging handle.
to solve the latch length issue you could drill out in front of the nub and put a set screw in to act as the new nub.. although i haven't tried this, just one thing i thought of
Correct!!!
Afternoon USAF 1980
Other than the length difference don't forget the 15-22 slot is supposedly different to prevent the spent 22 cases from jamming in the slot. At least that is why the slot is different on my CMMG charging handle
Other than the length difference don't forget the 15-22 slot is supposedly different to prevent the spent 22 cases from jamming in the slot. At least that is why the slot is different on my CMMG charging handle
Innovation is not dead, lets make this happen yall.
GSRswapandslow
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2011
- Messages
- 43
- Reaction score
- 1
he doesn't reply to pm's anymore...so i'd about consider his out of the picture
ragingyeti
Well-known member
So reading this and the other thread about the charging handles in the 15-22, I began to get curious as to the differences myself. I have therefor done some super scientific research and came up with the following:
The only difference that I can see is that the latch on the 15-22 is longer at the "hook" end. Note the 15-22 handle on the right compared to a standard AR15 charging handle on the left.
And when latches are out of the charging handle (15-22 on the left, sorry for the inconsistency).
The reason the latch is longer on the 15-22 is because it is designed to hook over a "bump" on the upper receiver (top 2 pictures), where as an AR15 latch hooks into a recess in the same spot (bottom 2 pictures):
I put an AR15 latch onto a 15-22 handle, and found it isn't long enough to go over the bump.
Theoretically, you could turn the "outie" of the 15-22 into an "innie" with a little bit of filing and get a standard AR15 latch to work.
P.S. Sorry for the dog hairs in the photos. Apparently they are everywhere!
The only difference that I can see is that the latch on the 15-22 is longer at the "hook" end. Note the 15-22 handle on the right compared to a standard AR15 charging handle on the left.
And when latches are out of the charging handle (15-22 on the left, sorry for the inconsistency).
The reason the latch is longer on the 15-22 is because it is designed to hook over a "bump" on the upper receiver (top 2 pictures), where as an AR15 latch hooks into a recess in the same spot (bottom 2 pictures):
I put an AR15 latch onto a 15-22 handle, and found it isn't long enough to go over the bump.
Theoretically, you could turn the "outie" of the 15-22 into an "innie" with a little bit of filing and get a standard AR15 latch to work.
P.S. Sorry for the dog hairs in the photos. Apparently they are everywhere!
Thank you for taking the time to take the pics.
1. the quick fix would be to turn it into an innie.
2. Or just shave a little off the front of the outie and a little off the inside of the metal latch so that the latch catches.
Wild card - Will the metal ar latches wear out the plastic cut down outie in option 2?? Will the metal ar latches wear out the innie in option 1?
I think the safest and easiest approach would be option 2 because if it does wear down the plastic you could always turn it into a full innie.
If the innie lip wears out, you can implant a piece of metal to the receiver so it can latch on something.
Did the AR latch operation on the mp charging handle feel and function the same minus the fact that it couldnt make it over the hump?
1. the quick fix would be to turn it into an innie.
2. Or just shave a little off the front of the outie and a little off the inside of the metal latch so that the latch catches.
Wild card - Will the metal ar latches wear out the plastic cut down outie in option 2?? Will the metal ar latches wear out the innie in option 1?
I think the safest and easiest approach would be option 2 because if it does wear down the plastic you could always turn it into a full innie.
If the innie lip wears out, you can implant a piece of metal to the receiver so it can latch on something.
Did the AR latch operation on the mp charging handle feel and function the same minus the fact that it couldnt make it over the hump?
ragingyeti
Well-known member
It felt the same except it would not lock into place. But it did go all the way forward and backwards and the latch opened and closed without issue. I don't see it rubbing down the plastic too much as it is designed to open and close anyway.
Similar threads
