How to Select an AR Charging Handle

A charging handle is designed to charge or load the weapon by inserting a round into the chamber. It works by pulling the bolt carrier to the rear, opening the breach, and allowing ammo to be stripped from the magazine and loaded into the chamber once the charging handle is released. There are many features that an upgraded charging handle can provide, such as better grip and reduced friction, so it is important to select one that will suit the needs of your specific build. In this guide, we’ll break down how to choose the best AR15 charging handle, as well as provide some tips for selecting a high-quality charging handle for AR10 and AR9 platform rifles.

Extended Latch

The average Mil-Spec charging handle has a small latch located on the left side of the handle. It’s enough to get the job done but can also be problematic for some shooters. For example, if you have a red dot sight paired with a flip-to-center magnifier, the magnifier would sit right above your charging handle, making it harder to access the smaller latch on a standard charging handle. Extended charging handles allow you to easily grab it and operate it even with optics or accessories mounted above or near the handle. While this is more convenient when you're at the shooting range to practice, it's also a crucial benefit if you are building a duty rifle, allowing you to charge a round as quickly as possible if you encounter danger.

Ambidextrous

Ambidextrous charging handles use two latches as opposed to one single latch. This feature can greatly assist left-handed shooters, as most Mil-Spec handles are right-hand biased. Ambi charging handles are also helpful for all other shooters that may find themselves in the position of firing their rifles off-handed in certain scenarios. The Radian Raptor series is popular among shooters and features several ambidextrous options for righties and lefties.

Suppressor Use

There are many shooters using suppressors that deal with excess gas blown into their faces, making the shooting experience a little less comfortable. Some charging handles are designed to redirect gasses away from the shooter. These charging handles all use varying methods to avoid gas blowback, including taller ledges, holes in the charging handle body, and more. If you intend to shoot suppressed or are currently dealing with excessive blowback, selecting a charging handle designed for suppressed use is recommended.

AR-10 Charging Handles

AR15 charging handles are not compatible with AR10/DPMS/LR308 platform rifles. This is due to the larger bolt carrier and receiver on AR10 pattern rifles. Aftermarket charging handles for AR-10 pattern rifles will typically share the same features found in AR 15 rifle handles, like extended latches, ambidextrous designs, and suppressor-specific use. However, they are specifically designed for the larger bolt necessary to chamber .308 Winchester ammo.

AR-9 Charging Handles

Most AR 15 charging handles are compatible with AR-9 rifles and are considered to be interchangeable. The AR-9 bolt is designed to mimic a standard AR 15 bolt with a gas key for the charging handle to grab onto. However, make sure you verify that the charging handle you select also works with an AR9, as some manufacturers do not support this.

Proprietary Handles

Certain AR-style rifles use unique charging handles based on their design. Most commonly, .22 ARs like the M&P 15-22 or CMMG 22 will require specialized charging handles designed to work with the .22 Cal bolt. If you have a .22 Cal AR, ensure you use a charging handle that is compatible with your specific make and model rifle. Although not necessarily an AR pattern rifle, the MPX and MCX firearms from SIG SAUER use similar style charging handles to the AR15 but are not compatible with AR15 charging handles. They, too, will require a charging handle designed specifically for the MPX or MCX platform.  

Materials

Charging handles are typically made from aluminum but will vary in the type of aluminum used. 7075-T6 Aluminum is common for most aftermarket charging handles and provides more strength and rigidity compared to aircraft-grade 6061-T6 Aluminum charging handles. Some charging handles will use polymer latches to save on weight and cost, as well as offer the feature of not getting too cold or hot like metal does in extreme environments. A high-quality charging handle will also be anodized to protect it from wear and tear, as well as corrosive elements.

Summary

Charging handles are a common upgrade for AR15s that make the weapon more functional and usable for the shooter. They are available with a wide variety of features, colors, materials, etc. Ensure you select a charging handle that is compatible with your rifle, and that will perform the basic functions you require. If you’re ready to make a purchase, shop our selection of AR15 parts from top brands like Aero Precision, Bravo Company, and Geissele.