MST Charging Handle Problems

[rbpwrd240]

Well unfortunately I am having problems with my MST Charging Handle.

I purchased one from the South African company Tactical Quarter Master. Initially the first one that I was sent was sent back for improper address. They (Tactical Quarter Master) quickly sent me another one. This one arrived and looked stellar range time went good except that the handle seemed to be quite sharp and even hurt a bit to quickly charge the rifle.

Well after several range trips and a bit of time out in the bush the pins that hold the CNC pull handles slid out along with the spring. I lost everything in tall grass never to be seen again.

I have contacted Tactical Quarter Master and I believe they are looking for spares for me but this handle has been a real pain. It was very expensive, it took over a month to get one in my hands and now it doesn't work...

Here is my question.
I think the original MST handle was made here in the USA and sold through eBay. Apparently the company Tactical Quarter Master purchased the right to continue making the handles however is it possible that the problems I am facing are caused by the new manufacturers??? Anyone else experiencing these issues?

 

[trebor127]

The original MST handle was made in SA and only 50 of them made....i bought one from Craig at TQM and another from the actual guy making them in SA, as he had an auction on the American Ebay......as for yours falling apart maybe it is something to do with hard racking the 15-22, as all i do is pull back and let go.....check out the links below......

MST1522 15 22 Ambidextrous Charging Handle | eBay

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-15-22/432417-mst-charging-handle.html

keith

 

[PeaceOfficer]

As trebor mentioned, the MST charging handle was designed and built in SA to provide an alternative to the expensive imported models (due to exchange rates, import duties etc).

It was made in very limited quantities and the creator then sold the IP to Tactical Quarter Master. I cannot say whether or not they changed materials but I doubt it. The intention behind the original was to create a low-cost alternative.

Guess the high costs for you are as a result of the cost for the guys to ship it up there? A lot of things that are cheap/inexpensive in the States is expensive here; shipping costs being just one of those things.

In any case, TacQM are good guys and I'm sure they will sort you out.

PS: those edges are quite sharp. Had a range outing a couple weekends back and returned home with some charging handle-inflicted damage

 

[Kayback]

Mine is also an original KINGMST not a TQM one, but it is still running fine, even with me being all "tacticool" one handed charging on the 3 gun stages.

Sorry to hear you ran into difficulties.

 

[tacticool22]

The metal charging handles have less allowance for incorrect sizing just by the nature of the material. That makes them difficult to manufacture, making them expensive.
They are treading on some U.S. Patents
I'm amazed stupid eBay allowed the sale of that since they consider the 15-22 to be an AW.
Stupid kalifornistan lawyers.

 

[PeaceOfficer]

For interest's sake, TacQM have released an updated version of the charging handle. They've also add a splash of colour. Well, just a bit more than a splash.

TacQM Ambidextrous Charging Handle 15-22 – Tactical Quarter Master

 

[tomcatt51]

Depending on your location there are these: S&W M&P15-22 Charging Handle (Ambidextrous)

 

[tacticool22]

Depending on your location there are these: S&W M&P15-22 Charging Handle (Ambidextrous)

Ours are available worldwide.
And they look a LOT nicer

 

[rbpwrd240]

Not sure I agree, being available world wide is awesome and is a good selling point but I dont think they look a LOT nicer and isnt this your second design I remember the originals looking alot different maybe I am wrong.

 

[tomcatt51]

....and isnt this your second design I remember the originals looking alot different maybe I am wrong.

So what??? I like that it works really well and, at least so far, it hasn't fallen apart. Having one and looking at how it's designed / made I suspect it won't fall apart like your MST.

 

[rbpwrd240]

So what??? I like that it works really well and, at least so far, it hasn't fallen apart. Having one and looking at how it's designed / made I suspect it won't fall apart like your MST.

I figured I would get "railed" on that statement and honestly I have more to say from my time watching things around here but tacticool is a very good guy and company. However, my opinion as it is mine is allowed to be. I didnt really think his decision to overshadow another company on this thread was a good one.

However had it been from an independent researcher I.E. User I would have never touched on the issue. Its an ideal of professionalism not usability. At least for me. Honestly I understand where you and he is coming from but I wanted to be honest. Hell at this point tactical quarter master is on their second rendition and I bet it fixes some issues too. I remember the original tacticool handle was very different and now they have copied a great product (kuddos to them) but to come her on and attack another product was unnecessary especially after they changed their own design. It just rubbed me wrong.

If I am in the wrong feel free to say so but thats my .02

 

[Bassyaks]

The metal charging handles have less allowance for incorrect sizing just by the nature of the material. That makes them difficult to manufacture, making them expensive.
They are treading on some U.S. Patents
I'm amazed stupid eBay allowed the sale of that since they consider the 15-22 to be an AW.
Stupid kalifornistan lawyers.

Why shop out of the US if there is a reputable company in the US, plus you don't have to worry about your CC info.

 

[tacticool22]

Not knocking another company. I like the looks of ours much better. But that's my eye. Yours may have other opinions.
Our original one copied the factory one and even used the factory latch, spring and pin.

 

[PeaceOfficer]

Horses for courses, gents.

You're spoilt for choice in the US with the multitudes of manufactures and options available. It makes for a competitive market in which the end user can only win. And at the scale of the US market, manufacturers are able to compete on price due to the volumes they're able to sell.

It's vastly different on this end of the world. Our market is small and tightly legislated. Our local currency is weak and this is a major factor when considering that a lot of our accessories are US-made. So exchange rates, shipping costs and import duties turn a cheap, fun upgrade into an expensive purchase that must be considered carefully.

Hence the need for locally made products. But this too is not an easy task. The market is small and start-up costs high. This is not a recipe for a success story. However, folks like myself will try and support the local market where we can. With that we take the risk of using a product that has likely not had the amounts of R&D and testing pumped into it as it would have if it were US-made. And we accept that as a condition of purchase because if we don't, the alternative is to pay through the nose for imported parts when and if we can get them. And that basically means we're married to these accessories once we buy them as swapping them out becomes uneconomical (lol - economical and guns in the paragraph).

So, does it make sense for the guys in the US to import one of the TacQM handles? Probably not.
Does it mean weapons-free on smack talking the product? Probably not either because that's just poor form. And heck, everyone has got to start somewhere.

I guess it all just comes down to perspective really.

 

[Kayback]

I do like the look of the Tacticool22 handle a little better, it is slightly more streamlined looking, but adding in shipping I can buy 2 MSTs.

The MST was a local solution to a local problem. Shipping some firearm parts INTO SA is ridiculously red-taped but shipping them OUT is easy as pie

Post #12 about CC info is interesting. Has this happened or you just speculating

 

[rbpwrd240]

I do like the look of the Tacticool22 handle a little better, it is slightly more streamlined looking, but adding in shipping I can buy 2 MSTs.

The MST was a local solution to a local problem. Shipping some firearm parts INTO SA is ridiculously red-taped but shipping them OUT is easy as pie

Post #12 about CC info is interesting. Has this happened or you just speculating

I had zero issues with my CC Info..... Honestly with scanners, chip readers, online processors and trusted online market certifications such as PCI and trust wave as long as your using a reputable source your more likely to have some punk waiter get your info.... However many folks still feel iffy about things online. Just saying.