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When you’re looking for the best AR 15 charging handle, you want something that is durable, reliable, and easy to use. There are many different types of charging handles on the market today, so choosing the right one can be a challenge.
Fortunately, there’s one that stands out from the rest: The Radian Weapons Raptor-LT Charging Handle. This charging handle is constructed with aircraft-grade aluminum and features an ergonomic design that makes it incredibly comfortable to use.
Additionally, it is fully ambidextrous with dual latch points for either left or right-handed shooters - making it a great choice for any shooter.
Not only does this charging handle look great and feel great in your hands – but it’s also designed to minimize wear and tear by reducing stress on components like pins and springs during operation.
It even has an integrated internal buffer spring which ensures smoother operation and prevents accidental disengagement from the receiver when pulling back on the latch. In terms of performance, the Radian Weapons Raptor-LT Charging Handle provides quick and effortless reloading every time.
The icing on top is that this charging handle comes at a highly competitive price point compared to other models in its class – making it an excellent value proposition as well as a great choice overall! If you're looking for a AR 15 charging handle that offers superior performance, durability, comfort, and convenience without breaking the bank – then look no further than the Radian Weapons Raptor-LT Charging Handle!
WHY DO I NEED TO UPGRADE MY AR-15 CHARGING HANDLE?
When it comes to using your AR-15 daily, the mil-spec charging handle or bolt handle that originally came with the purchase may wear out over time. To achieve a smoother and stronger operation for long-term use, consider switching from the stock one to an improved model.
Upgrade your charging handle for the ultimate experience in rifle usability. With an extensive selection of ambidextrous and extended latches, you can customize your setup with a durable product that will far outlast other options. Enjoy the increased tactile grip and improved performance to set up your rifle exactly as you desire!
FEATURES TO LOOK FOR
Gas Busters
If you wish to ensure the greatest performance from your AR-15 charging handle, then one of the most essential features to consider is its gas buster. This safety mechanism helps protect shooters by diverting the gases generated during firing away from them.
Gas Buster is an ideal tool for military training, especially when it comes to shooting with silencers. If you're firing suppressed rifles, pay attention to the gas blowback that can impact your accuracy as well as potentially cause damage or discomfort to your eyes due to excessive recoil. Investing in Gas Buster will help ensure each shot lands where it needs to without compromising your safety and comfort.
Extended Latches
Experienced shooters recognize the advantage of opting for an extended latch charging handle to get the most out of their AR-15. With its reach, using gloves is no impediment - it will still perform optimally with your hand.
Taking photographs at night can be tricky, and in tense situations when rapid response is needed, palm contact on equipment must happen without fail. Therefore the charging handle guarantees a secure grip even if you don't take time to look for it - this ensures that all necessary control points are touched during urgent moments.
Ambidextrous Handles
Left-handed shooters can now operate as easily as right-handed shooters with the AR-15 charging handle with the newly released ambidextrous charging handle from manufacturers.
This lever not only extends to both sides of the latch, but it also makes operating much simpler for southpaws as well! With this revolutionary new design, everyone is able to take advantage and make use of one of the most popular military weapons on today's market.
Left-handed shooters no longer have to struggle with the traditional single-sided charging handle. Now, ambidextrous charging handles can be quickly and easily charged by either hand! The aggressive serrations on the handle ensure an impeccable grip each time, regardless of which hand you are using.
Best AR 15 Charging Handle
RADIAN WEAPONS - AR-15 RAPTOR-LT CHARGING HANDLE 5.56
The Radian Weapons Raptor-LT Charging Handle is designed to offer AR-15 owners a chance to upgrade their stock charging handle with one that provides more functionality.
The Radian Weapons Raptor-LT Charging Handle is machined from solid 7075 aluminum and then is finished with a hard-coat anodized finish that resists corrosion. The handle is then over-molded with fiberglass-reinforced polymer for the utmost durability.
- Fully ambidextrous
- Comes in black, flat dark earth, and gray finishes
- Compatible with most AR-15/M16 rifles
The Radian Weapons Raptor-LT Charging Handle is completely designed and built in the USA.
GEISSELE AUTOMATICS LLC - SUPER CHARGING HANDLES
New from Geissele, the Super Charging Handle! These handles are ambidextrous and machined from 7075-T6 Aluminum. They are hard anodized in Black or DDC.
STRIKE INDUSTRIES - STRIKE LATCHLESS CHARGING HANDLE
The Strike Latchless Charging Handle represents yet another step forward for the AR 15. Simple in its execution, yet robust and reliable, the revolutionary Strike Latchless Charging Handle offers forged 7075 construction, efficient side gas venting, and a solid, comfortable interface for the user.
Reliable receiver lockup is achieved through a novel hidden spring mechanism that uses the Charging Handle insertion slot in the upper receiver charging handle channel.
This channel features a natural radius that will not wear rapidly like the external, 90-degree edge of the standard CH latch area of the upper receiver.
The flat spring bearing surface is much larger than a steel ball bearing, spreading force and wearing out over a larger area.
Increased service life is one benefit of this type of system, as is the comfort and peace of mind that come from a lack of moving or external components that can break or snag/catch on your gear and foreign objects.
The solid aluminum construction is durable and provides a solid mounting point for the ISO Tabs, an add-on component that increases surface area for those using large optics and/or gloved hands.
For standard mil-spec AR15 only. Not rated for suppressors and/or full auto fire. Not for use in SBRs or pistol-length barrels.
RADIAN WEAPONS - AR-15 RAPTOR-SD CHARGING HANDLE 5.56
The Radian Weapons (formerly AXTS) silencer-optimized Raptor-SD™ features a ported shaft designed to redirect gasses down and forward, away from the shooter’s face when shooting suppressed.
Its ambidextrous design allows rapid palm "blading" or finger-thumb charging of the weapon, ensuring the motion is fluid and fast from either the strong or support side. The Raptor-SD is compatible with most AR15/M16-pattern rifles.
- Designed & Manufactured in the USA
- Machined from 7075-T6 aluminum
- Milspec Type 3 Hard Coat Anodized Finish w/ Cerakote Color Options
WILSON COMBAT - AR-15 AMBIDEXTROUS CHARGING HANDLES
An Ambidextrous Charging Handle Designed for Your AR-15
Mil-spec AR-15 charging handles are not especially great designs, particularly for left-handed shooters or those who prefer to charge their guns with a single swipe of their support hand.
The Wilson Combat Bullet Proof Ambidextrous Charging Handle specifically addresses some of the weaknesses of the mil-spec design and makes for a great upgrade on any mil-spec rifle.
Each Wilson Combat Bullet Proof Ambidextrous Charging Handle features oversized latches that can be manipulated easily, even when using gloved hands. The handles are machined from billet aluminum and feature a redesign that eliminates the weak points commonly found in mil-spec charging handles.
There are three different-sized latches available for the Bullet Proof charging handle, so users can find the latch size that fits their firearm and shooting style best.
All Wilson Combat Bullet Proof Ambidextrous Charging Handles are treated with a hard-anodized black finish and feature an extended upper shelf that deflects gas away from a shooter's face, making the handle great for suppressed firearms.
The latches also feature heavy-duty springs and piston assemblies that keep the handle locked into position during heavy, full-auto fire.
RADIAN WEAPONS - AR-15 RAPTOR CHARGING HANDLE 5.56
The Raptor™ ambidextrous charging handle by Radian Weapons (formerly AXTS) is truly revolutionary in design & function.
From rapid palm “blading” or finger-thumb charges of the weapon, the motion is fluid & fast from either the strong or support side.
Made in the USA from aircraft grade 7075 aluminum and mil-spec anodized.
AERO PRECISION - AR-15 BREACH CHARGING HANDLE AMBIDEXTROUS
One of the most critical components of your AR-15 is the charging handle since it gives you complete control over your gun's firing status.
Because of that, you need a charging handle that's easy to use and durable, and Aero Precision has the perfect option in the form of its Breach Ambidextrous Charging Handle.
Each Aero Precision Breach Charging Handle can be had in two different sizes, so you can choose the one that best meets your needs.
The smaller of the two levers provide a sleek design that blends in with the overall lines of your rifle without creating any snag points, but it still provides a comfortable, ergonomic surface for easy racking.
The larger of the two levers gives you more surface area for an instant, easy activation of the lever, whether through rapid one-handed racking or other motions.
The Aero Precision Breach Charging Handle is machined from 7075 aluminum and is treated with a hard coat anodized finish.
Like all of Aero's products, this handle is made right here in the USA.
BREEK ARMS - AR-15 WARHAMMER MOD2 AMBIDEXTROUS CHARGING HANDLE
The Breek Arms WARHAMMER MOD2 ambi charging handle is a simple and affordable upgrade that will substantially increase the use of your AR-15. Easily grab either side of the handle and you can quickly charge your rifle even with large gloves with the textured grooves that are cut into the latch handles.
The wide set-back latches work great for large optics. The low profile design keeps it slim and sleek looking without sacrificing functionality. Made entirely out of 7075 aluminum for added strength and durability!
The new MOD2 design features improvements for further reducing gas blowback in the shooter's face. The relief cuts on the top and bottom of the stem are designed to help direct extra gas out the side and away from your face. And for any gas that does manage to go straight back, we increased the height of the shelf to better cover the back of the upper.
These modifications help improve the shooting experience, especially when shooting suppressed!
GEISSELE AUTOMATICS LLC - AR-15 AIRBORNE CHARGING HANDLE
Won't Interfere With Optic or Other Gear - Still Easy To Operate
Geissele developed its Airborne Charging Handle (ACH) with a low-profile lever that’s less likely to get snagged on vegetation and other gear.
Geissele designed the ACH at the specific request of an "elite" unit of the United States armed forces so it won’t interfere with a red dot sight or similar low-mounted optic.
The ambidextrous Airborne Charging Handle’s low profile doesn’t mean you have to compromise accessibility or ease of use.
The ACH's shortened levers have gently concaved radius cuts in both the vertical and horizontal planes so the hand can get a secure purchase.
Geissele even gave the ACH lever checkered surfaces to ensure a positive gripping surface, even when your hands are wet or you’re wearing gloves.
- Reliable ambidextrous operation
- Extra-strong machined 7075 T6 aluminum
- Type III hard coat anodized
- Available in basic Black or Geissele’s Desert Dirt Color (DDC)
As an added benefit, the Geissele Airborne Charging Handle comes with a raised lip at the aft end that redirects gas blowback away from the shooter when using short-barreled or suppressed weapon systems.
STRIKE INDUSTRIES - ARCH-EL CHARGING HANDLE WITH EXTENDED LATCH COMBO AR-15
The new ARCH-EL Charging Handle from Strike Industries is a T-6 7075 forged hard anodized charging handle featuring a larger aluminum latch surface that functions with ease in adverse conditions.
The SI ARCH-EL featuring the aluminum Strike Industries Extended Latch will not wear your receiver as fast compared to steel latches!
With its highly polished surface, its ergonomic design makes for a smooth, clean charge. The quality of the ARCH-EL is second to none and it’s built for durability. Once you place the ARCH-EL on your rifle, you will see, feel, and know the quality of the ARCH-EL!
NEXT LEVEL ARMAMENT - AR-15 SIMPLIFIED AMBIDEXTROUS CHARGING HANDLE
The Next Level Armament NLX556 AR-15 Ambi Charging Handle-Economy is a charging handle that is very similar to our original NLX556 Charging Handle with a new “ear” design.
Still manufactured with 7075 aluminum, we were able to make some small tweaks to the “ears” while keeping the aggressive feel.
These minor changes made it possible to bring this charging handle to market at a lower cost.
Conclusion
When you choose your next charging handle be sure you don't let looks make your choice for you, if you're going to be wearing gloves you will need an extended charging handle. Make sure it will work for your weapon, like an SBR or pistol AR 15, suppressed or full auto. Most of all, you want smooth operation of the weapon and easy weapon manipulation for you!
