Home AR-15 AR-15 Charging Handles: Old vs. New

AR-15 Charging Handles: Old vs. New

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In this informative video, Reid Henrichs of Valor Ridge discusses the older and newer type charging handles. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Many other considerations are covered in this video as to whether an upgrade is needed or not. Traditional techniques for use are covered, as are newer methods.

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36 COMMENTS

  1. When I first got my AR, I thought I would need to get a bigger handle. I used my off hand to rack the rifle like you showed in the video, no problems, no issues, so I thought, hey, this saves me some money!

  4. I have never had a problem using a GI spec CH. However, the Raptor is really nice… It's stronger (left hand manipulation can break a standard handle), easier to get a grip on when using a scope, is ambi, and cuts down on blowback when suppressed. You don't need one but they are GTG if you want one.

  6. My main rifle has NO real-estate left after Buis then a Vortex flip magnifier and an Aimpoint PRO…I always wanted to get the latch out a bit more and now that I'm getting my Strike RED extended lever on Saturday, I went and ordered another RED one for my new Saint 7.5 pistol just so both setups would be the same for training.

  13. Good vid Reid. I only run a bigger charging handle on my carbine with a thumb screw a2 rear sight to help clear the screw. I hope to get out there to train soon. Its been a while since I hung out with you and Hoss at Shot years ago.

  17. Reid, I spent a number of years in the AR style weapons business. I built rifles with all the gizmos and gadgets for gun show displays, and for people with more money than sense.
    Nowadays, my go to gun is an SP1 carbine with a flashlight and forward grip. Light and fast.

  23. I like the standard profile. I do think there is an issue with the original design transferring the force to the small roll pin. Some of the newer ones use the same profile; but the latch rests on the handle when charging. Good video.

  25. I ran that same route on my defensive shotgun, I had it all tacticooled out and the more that I shot it and after running a defensive shotgun course it ended up at basically bone stock. The only modifications that stayed were a 590 trigger group, bolt, and foregrip.

  28. You won’t “Rise to the occasion.” You will, “Fall back to your highest level of competency.” You will only have what you can do without being able to think about it. Ignore Reid’s words at your own peril.

  34. Old school is the way to go. Imagine being in a battle, your weapon, with the extended charging handle, expensive trigger, and whatever other "improvements" you have added, and it is hit by a stray round and you have to cast it aside and pick one up off the dead guy in your path, that is an un-modified weapon. Are you going to be able to function efficiently with the old school weapon? They taught us in The Corps to work with what they give you. If there was a problem, you had an armorer look at it, fix it, and you got your old school weapon back. Someone always has a new gadget that will make you better at whatever you are doing, if you believe the advertising, and a lot of people fall for it.

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