Charging handle?

[Mav714]

Recently I was at my gun store and we were BSing like usual and I mentioned I wanted to get a extended charging handle. Can't think of the name off the bat (a Badger?) but the guys said NO don't put one of those on if the charging handle comes back on you it will knock your teeth out?

Why wouldn't it do it anyway without the add on? Your opinion would be of great help!

[outlaw45]

The charging handle does not move with the cycling of the action when firing. It only moves when you first charge/cycle/chamber a round.

[bwaites]

There are only a couple that I would consider, either the Bravo Company Gunfighter series or the new Ranier Raptor series. Both available here:

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR15-Charging-Handle-s/35.htm

I am replacing all of mine with one or the other, depending on the rifle use.

[Nobull]

I second the Rainier Raptor I love this charging Handel check out the web site Rainierarms.com for more info. I have three of them and I used to be a big gunfighter fan.

[Dan]

I have the Ambi bcm gunfighter and I love it. Picked it up from rainier arms.

https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=3396

[Klem]

Ranier gets my vote.

Great for lefties, large scopes and working off-hand.

[frank]

BCM Gunfighter is a great charging handle, and they have a few options of latch size. I also use a standard GI handle with a badger latch (not the huge one) which works just fine for me. If I already had a GI handle, I'd add the Badger latch for about $15. If I was starting from scratch, I'd spring for the Gunfighter handle.

[Nukes]

I have tried the Gunfighter and Gasbuster and I prefer the Badger Tactical Latch.

The Badger Tactical Latch works well on uppers with red dot sights, but is too high for scoped uppers.

In my un-gloved hands it is the only extended charging handle that allows charging with the non-dominant hand without pinching off a chunk of flesh.

[montana]

I have tried the Gunfighter and Gasbuster and I prefer the Badger Tactical Latch.

The Badger Tactical Latch works well on uppers with red dot sights, but is too high for scoped uppers.

In my un-gloved hands it is the only extended charging handle that allows charging with the non-dominant hand without pinching off a chunk of flesh.

The Gun fighter, Gasbuster will pinch your hand if you get the fleshy parts between the latch and handle. They are a stronger charging handle but can hurt like hell. I have not had any issues using the Badger Tactical latch.

[LRRPF52]

The Badger extended latch breaks off or bends the bottom of the left side of the charge handle if you aggressively charge the weapon, which is why BCM teamed up with VLTOR to make the Gunfighter.

If you casually charge the weapon as 99.9% of the people do, then you have no worries.

I started out using Badger latches, never had an issue. Then I went to PRI Gas Busters, but the price is hard to swallow at ~$90. When the Gunfighter came out, they priced it right to be just under what you would spend on a charge handle plus Badger, while affording themselves obscene profits.

The Gunfighter became the default handle for my AR15's and AR10's (BCM 7.62 GunFighter series are larger/longer).

A word about charge handles:

Most of the charge handles on the market that look like a standard charge handle are not. Many are 6061, the dimensions of the T portion are smaller, and the anodizing is often sub-par. They will function for a casual plinker just fine.

The BCM units are 7075 aluminum, precision-machined, and hard anodized with a deep treatment. US GI Charge handles are very strong, and go through a controlled series of materials sourcing, manufacturing, and stringent QC.

The AR15 charge handle is an interesting story in and of itself, and the current design we have was largely influenced by the Dutch in their pursuits to improve the Armalite AR10 (the original one).

There are 3 BCM/VLTOR Gunfighter charge handles that are meant for the AR15, which will all work with the Grendel. I have purchased several of all three AR15 versions, as well as the large lacth version for my .260 Rem AR. Here is basically how I rate them:

The Gunfighter with Small latch is great for a carbine with low-profile or no optics, where minimal snag is desired.

The Medium latch is great for carbines/rifles with Aimpoints, Eotechs, and other traditional sized red dots, as well as some of the smaller variable power & fixed scopes like a 1-4x or ACOG.

The Large latch is perfect for rifles with larger optics on them, since it allows you to purchase a great hold on the charge handle while working around the objective bell of your scope, which sits in close proximity to the charge handle in that critical latch area that must be pulled to unlock the handle from the upper.

They are my go-to charge handles, with a PRI Gas Buster being the 2nd choice. Most of the charge handles on the market are not made to mil spec, and cut corners on size, material (6061 vs. 7075), & anodizing, leaving you with a weak link in the AR15 design that's even weaker now.

The Gunfighter and PRI's are good insurance in that regard, and I feel well worth the small extra price.

[Nukes]

I forgot to mention that I bought a PRI Gasbuster—yes, for $90—and it did not fit the SR25 for which it was advertised.

If you want to run either the Gasbuster or Gunfighter charging handles, remember to use (and factor in the cost of) a good set of gloves.

You can either be (1) careful on the rare occasions for which you must 'mortar' your charge handle or (2) careful with every single use to avoid lacerating your digital arteries.

Pick one. :-)

[montana]

I forgot to mention that I bought a PRI Gasbuster—yes, for $90—and it did not fit the SR25 for which it was advertised.

If you want to run either the Gasbuster or Gunfighter charging handles, remember to use (and factor in the cost of) a good set of gloves.

You can either be (1) careful on the rare occasions for which you must 'mortar' your charge handle or (2) careful with every single use to avoid lacerating your digital arteries.

Pick one. :-)

That pretty well sums it up!

[Klem]

Badger Tactical Latch...

In my un-gloved hands it is the only extended charging handle that allows charging with the non-dominant hand without pinching off a chunk of flesh.

I'm a leftie and the Ranier has never pinched.

You don't have to come over the top and claw it like the original design. Just grab either side between fore-finger and thumb and rack.

[Nukes]

Sort of like pinky extended with a delicate cup of tea?

Sure, I'll do that at the next 3-Gun Match [laughing].

Seriously though I have never tried the Ranier.

[Mav714]

So I have my Leupold 3x9x40 on my rifle so I should go with a?