Pat Miles Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 What is the latest and greatest AR 15 charging handle and latch? I'm looking for function rather than something that is pretty. Did a search but want opinions on current stuff. Thanks, Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammar Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Rainier Arms Raptor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpom Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 (edited) I would second that. Ran a BCM Gun Fighter Medium, #4 I think, but Raptor allows manipulation of CH from right side "wing" alone. Its pricey, so you buy once and cry once. For bolt hold open latch I've settled on Seekins. Larger piece for locking open part. Tried the BAD but took it off. Mark Edited October 13, 2013 by mpom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRider Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I have a BCM gunfighter with the small latch in my CTR02 and AR10. I don't like extended latches, so I went with the small latch, it is similar in size to a GI latch. I have been happy with these so far. I have dry fired and reset with my left hand quite a bit with no ill effects on either rifle. Hurley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagdrag Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Budget option $30-40: Standard mil-spec charging handle with PRI combat latch. The PRI latch slightly extends out but not as far as a Badger and doesn't pinch my palm like a BCM mod 4. Premium options $70-90: Rainier Raptor: Fantastic ambi latch with slightly extended controls PRI Gas Buster w/ combat latch: A nice smooth charging handle with a great design to redirect excess gases away from your face and still that great latch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 I like the fact that the roll pin holding the latch is not the weak link on the BCM. I have no problem spending the $$$ for the Raptor but are the roll pins the weak link on it? Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpeltier Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I prefer simple and reliable. I have yet to find a need for anything oversized, extended or ambidexterous. I personnaly believe they are a solution to a non existant problem. I have seen many broken latches and a few bent chargehandles. I use either complete colt charge handle/latches or the mikulek. Steel CH with a colt latch. We have litteraly hundreds in service at work and all are colts and I have yet to see one break or bend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammar Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 The roll pins on the raptor are even more impressive than the BCM. I have more BCM's than I can count but am slowly switching out to the raptors as finances allow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigS. Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 For the LR-308 Iam a big believer in the BCM large handle version Because the buffer spring has a much higher spring rate than the ar-15 design. I have 3 stock 308 charging handles with badger latches that have bent roll pins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead-Head Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 PRI on standard charging handle comes in 2 lengths. I like the shorter of the two (the combat) easy to install, does exactly what u need, and it is Minimal enough not to get in the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucas Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Gas buster W/Tac latch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbon9 Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 For the LR-308 Iam a big believer in the BCM large handle version Because the buffer spring has a much higher spring rate than the ar-15 design. I have 3 stock 308 charging handles with badger latches that have bent roll pins. Try the .308 Rainier Raptor on your next one, you'll like it even more then the BCM, smoother with a more linear pull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winstsa1 Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Check out TacOps-1 by MechArmor.........Awesome !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Tischauser Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 The Rainier Arms Raptor is cool as heck! If not that than a PRI gas buster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charms Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 DPMS steel handle with Badger latch is bullet proof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naka16 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I like my bcm mod 3 of all of the bcm ones. Just feels better than the 4 or 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrickxx Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Another vote for the raptor I shoot my rifle left handed and love the raptor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Tischauser Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Nordic Components makes a nice handle that is more robust than a standard handle too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apetrulis01 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I run the bcm ambi...great changing handle. Of course I am left eye dominate so I run the rifle on the left side; even though I am right handed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen1776 Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Rainer Raptor is sweet. I'm glad I went with it. With the dual latch , I have been able to change when picking gun out of barrel/ table start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stephens Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Got to play with the new raptor handle on a buddy's rifle, pretty sweet. I think that would be my top choice at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWil Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Just saw Primary Arms is having a sale on the Raptor 556 charging handles. $20 off each one, limit 2. Use the coupon code RAPTOR And if you have never ordered from Primary, they ship super fast. They also have cheap shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagdrag Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Just saw Primary Arms is having a sale on the Raptor 556 charging handles. $20 off each one, limit 2. Use the coupon code RAPTOR And if you have never ordered from Primary, they ship super fast. They also have cheap shipping. Good deal for a Raptor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 (edited) The sale is only good for stock on hand and they are sold out. So much for their sale. The $20.00 discount would be a good deal but the sale price is about a buck more than Brownells every day price. Oh well. Pat Edited October 25, 2013 by Pat Miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry weeks Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Afraid we're out of stock at the moment but our Paratrooper Charging handle, 080-000-819 works really well. Left side only, longer than anything on the market AND folds in to get out of the way if you don't want it out there. Works great as a kick stand for those "pick it up off the table" stages. 7075 T6 aluminum. Our engineer took one of the first batch, put it in a gun, put on a big thick glove and BANGED it open 1000 times and it didn't fail. It can be tight in the "assembly notch" of some receivers, it is built to max specs for all the strength possible. I used one for more than a year, really liked it. Have changed to a JP side charge upper and a cheekpiece so can't use it. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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