First gun-What does the Charging Handle do?

PJV777

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Just wondering what the charge handle does. I know its connected to the bolt. But how does that allwork. The bolt can stay openbut I can close the charge handle. Just want to know how this thing works. I know its a newbie question but the more I learn the better and safer I will be. Thanks
 
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Best thing to do it open the gun up and take the bolt and charging handle out and have a look see. Others may be able to explain the mechanism in writing but seeing is understanding. Just pull out the rear takedown pin and pivot the upper up so you can pull the handle and bolt out.
 
it's needed to manually open the bolt. it just catches a nub on the bolt so you can pull it back manually. it isn't attached to the bolt.

if you already have the rifle you need to take that all apart to clean it before firing, you'll see how it works.
 
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Just wondering what the charge handle does. I know its connected to the bolt. But how does that allwork. The bolt can stay openbut I can close the charge handle. Just want to know how this thing works. I know its a newbie question but the more I learn the better and safer I will be. Thanks

Did the gun come with a manual????? You might want to read that.............;)
 
The "charging handle" is an insidious device that will memorize your credit cards and charge hundreds of dollars of ammunition and firearms to your accounts. Remember, it ain't your fault. The "charging handle" did it!

-- Chuck
 
read the manual doesnt really get into what the charge handle does. So it opens the bolt manually than you can use the bolt catch to stop the bolt from moving but the charging handle can still move forward. thanks for the info
 
On some modern-design guns the "charging handle" does not reciprocate with the bolt. So when you shoot the gun, the handle does not move back and forth with the bolt. Compare that to an M1 Garand, or Mini-14, or M1 Carbine, or even a Ruger 10-22. On these guns, you don't want to have your hand in the way when you fire the gun. The handle moves back and forth with the bolt. Hope this is not confusing.
 
Just wondering what the charge handle does. I know its connected to the bolt. But how does that allwork. The bolt can stay openbut I can close the charge handle. Just want to know how this thing works. I know its a newbie question but the more I learn the better and safer I will be. Thanks

If you're asking "why" there's a charging handle...

1. If the bolt is closed when you insert a fresh magazine, you pull back and release the charging handle to load the first cartridge.

2. If a cartridge fails to fire (an "FTF"), you pull back and release the charging handle to eject the problem cartridge and load a new one.

As an aside... When you have an FTF, don't be in a hurry to eject the problem cartridge. Wait a short time (I count to 10.) and keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. In very rare cases, the cartridge will eventually fire and waiting means it will fire safely.

Enjoy!
Dave
 
It's gun lingo, and being a noobie is kind of rough at first getting all the lingo right. Many folks will castigate a noobie for using the wrong lingo.

The charging handle charges the weapon.

To charge a weapon is another way of saying "to load a cartridge into a firing position in the weapon". It comes from the old black powder days when you would pour the charge, a measure of powder, down the barrel of you cannon, or charge your frizzen buy pouring a measure of powder into it.

When you pull back on the charging handle it pulls the bolt back and cocks the hammer, when you release the handle it and the bolt go forward. As the bolt goes forward it strips the top round from the magazine and loads it in the chamber.
 
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Just wondering what the charge handle does. I know its connected to the bolt. But how does that allwork. The bolt can stay openbut I can close the charge handle. Just want to know how this thing works. I know its a newbie question but the more I learn the better and safer I will be. Thanks

DUH, it lets you chamber a round in the barrel when you pull it back,and let it go , if the mag is in place and loaded. read your manual. good luck, pyper22
 
The "charging handle" is an insidious device that will memorize your credit cards and charge hundreds of dollars of ammunition and firearms to your accounts. Remember, it ain't your fault. The "charging handle" did it!

-- Chuck

i want one of those,NOW, pyper22
 
Not really. The extractor removes the spent casing and the bolt strips the next round from the magazine. That's like saying the bolt release loads another round.
 
DUH, it lets you chamber a round in the barrel when you pull it back,and let it go , if the mag is in place and loaded. read your manual. good luck, pyper22

This and the following posts were not needed. The question had been answered previously and to berate a "noob"(hate that title)serves no purpose except to make sure that said "noob" won't risk being embarrassed again. You may ask yourself "so what" but we were all new guys once. If a person can't ask a question, be it something that it may seem obvious to some of us, they can't be expected to learn, thus destined to being a "noob" forever.:(


Charging handle pulls the bolt back, bolt locks if there is an empty magazine. The bolt release is pushed to allow the bolt to come forward to battery(all the way forward against the chamber)after inserting a fresh magazine. You can do the same thing by pulling the charging handle back, then let go, bolt and charging handle will go forward chambering a fresh round. The handle isn't attached to the bolt but as previously stated, it sits over the stud in the bolt. That's why you can put the handle back to the front and latch it.

Learn how to take your gun apart. Slowly. You'll see how it's put together. Be careful when you do this as parts can decide to go different directions.:)Check out the different vids on the 15-22. Look at Brett's Youtube's videos. It's worth your time and good shooting to ya!

Hobie
 
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