Recommend An Ambidextrous Charging Handle

[Mowingmaniac 24/7]

In the recent past these critters were quite expensive, but I now see them coming down in cost, especially in brands I'm not familiar with.

So, are these lower cost just as good as the well known with high reputations or does ye olde 'you get what you pay for' come into play?

Primary Arms is selling an A.C.H. in a brand I'm unfamiliar with (POF Tomahawk) yes, I'm familiar with POF AR's, but not their charging handles, for quite a few bucks lower in cost than say a BCMGUNFIGHTER Charging Handle.

What say you?

Thanks!

 

[EZ-E]

I got a POF ambi on the AR I use the most. 4 years & no issues.

 

[oldag]

So far I have been pleased with the BCM.

 

[Mowingmaniac 24/7]

The last time I looked into ambi C.H.'s they (BCM) were in the almost $90.00 range and I thought that far too much even if I can afford it.

The POF Tomahawk are $60.00 each, but they don't look comfortable, but of course, I've never used one, so what do I know?

I do know, I need one.

Both shoulders are shot, but the left one has entered into new pain territory and working the charging handle with my right hand/shoulder would be far less painful......but I don't care to buy an ambi to find the hand is painful from the skeletal looking design......

Plus, I've never gotten used to using my left hand to charge as I trained with an M-14 that is a right hand charging handle. Even when we transitioned to the M-16 muscle memory was entrenched for a right hand charging handle.

Old soldiers and their preferences after thousands of the same action with their rifles and then boom, you're supposed to get used to some different hand charging handle, grumble, grumble, bitch, complain........

 

[easy rider]

Been using a Aero Precision ambi on my 300BLK, I like it very much.

 

[baboon]

I have a Giessele Airborne that I love!
https://geissele.com/airborne-charging-handle.html
And an Aero Precision that seems to big.
https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/ar15-ambi-charging-handle

 

[Big Green]

Radian Raptor LT
https://radianweapons.com/raptor-lt-ambidextrous-charging-handle

Street price is a little better.

I have several different brands and this one is nice because it’s cheaper than many but also very well built.

 

[diesel1959]

Radian Raptor LT
https://radianweapons.com/raptor-lt-ambidextrous-charging-handle

Street price is a little better.

I have several different brands and this one is nice because it’s cheaper than many but also very well built.

The raptors are very nice. My favorite charging handle is the LWRC ambi: https://www.lwrci.com/p-335-ambi-charging-handle.aspx

No, it's not inexpensive, but neither is it cheap. I think I'm up to seven or eight of them on various ARs.

 

[Mowingmaniac 24/7]

Wow, thanks for all the great input all!

 

[CyberWolf]

IMO, Geissele ACH is currently, by far, the best one available, followed closely by Radian Raptor/Raptor-SD (and almost same price now).

I'm in the process of slowly replacing all of my Raptors/BCMs with Geissele ACHs (mainly because of the raised 'lip' and smaller handle/receiver gap). Especially if shooting supressed, the Geissele ACH is the way to go...

 

[easy rider]

IMO, Geissele ACH is currently, by far, the best one available, followed closely by Radian Raptor/Raptor-SD (and almost same price now).

I'm in the process of slowly replacing all of my Raptors/BCMs with Geissele ACHs (mainly because of the raised 'lip' and smaller handle/receiver gap). Especially if shooting supressed, the Geissele ACH is the way to go...

What makes them better?

 

[CyberWolf]

What makes them better?

Biggest things I notice are the (minimal) gap between CH and receiver, and the raised 'lip', though the machining and general tolerances seem to be at the top of the pile (plus shorter arms).

I'm left-handed and shoot suppressed far more often than not, and gas to the face can be a big pain in the backside - especially indoors or when doing speed drills...

I've tried/owned various CH's (e.g. BCM, Pri gasbuster, raptor/r-sd; some of these now sitting in parts bin), diy gas seals (rtv silicone mod), etc., and the Geissele ACH seems to spit the least amount of crap back at me (and far preferred over silicon for simplicity/durability).

The lip is really what pushes it over the Raptor in my opinion, though the Raptors are also top-notch.

Also, haven't seen any chewing up of receiver contact points, but have only run into that with some cheaper ones...

ETA: when I have a little free time, I don't mind breaking out the calipers and comparing the CH/Receiver gaps between BCM/Raptor/Geissele, if that info would be helpful...

 

[Bozz10mm]

My Radian Raptor has been working well for 4 years. I also have a Fortis Hammer CH. Well built, but not ambi.

More options to look at:
https://www.wingtactical.com/best-rated-ar-15-charging-handles/

 

[Big Green]

IMO, Geissele ACH is currently, by far, the best one available, followed closely by Radian Raptor/Raptor-SD (and almost same price now).

I'm in the process of slowly replacing all of my Raptors/BCMs with Geissele ACHs (mainly because of the raised 'lip' and smaller handle/receiver gap). Especially if shooting supressed, the Geissele ACH is the way to go...

For suppsessed I use the Griffin Armament SNATCH ambi handle. Very nice.

 

[Sam7sf]

Bcm all the way. Only in person over a couple beers will I tell any of you about some of these companies behind closed doors. That’s the only comment I’m making online.

 

[saltwater_therapy]

I have a BCM gunfighter Ambi CH, in one of my AR'S

I like it alot, but my son just installed a Radian Raptor LT charging handle on his AR, and I think I like it better.
I WILL be using it in my current build .458 socom
I am also getting the Radian Raptor SD
for a 300 blackout pistol in the works right now.

 

[Hfrog355]

I've tried several of them and now own 2 Geissele ACH and 1 Radian Raptor.

Bcm all the way. Only in person over a couple beers will I tell any of you about some of these companies behind closed doors. That’s the only comment I’m making online.

I am intrigued and will buy your first beer for this conversation someday.

 

[Byrd666]

Good stuff

 

[Sam7sf]

I've tried several of them and now own 2 Geissele ACH and 1 Radian Raptor.



I am intrigued and will buy your first beer for this conversation someday.

Lol sounds good.