TimM
Member
I am not happy at all with my DPMS charging handle. What is the best possible replacement?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
AR Charging Handle
- Thread starter TimM
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possum
Member
Z-Michigan
Member
The BCM Gunfighter is hard to beat, IMHO.
Tommygunn
Member
+1 on BCM Gunfighter; I added this to my M4orgery because I didn't like the standard and it makes a lot of difference!
A charging handle is a charging handle. You have to get the one that does what you need it to. There are charging handles and add ons that allow you to more easily charge the rifle from one side, such as the gunfighter, but other than that, there isn't anything earth shattering.
I use a medium Gunfighter on my precision AR because I'm running a scope on it and I don't have it set up to have my nose to the charging handle when I shoot, so I need the gunfighter to get around the eye piece. On my carbine with ACOG, I just run a plain jane charging handle and have no problems charging the rifle by any method that I choose.
I use a medium Gunfighter on my precision AR because I'm running a scope on it and I don't have it set up to have my nose to the charging handle when I shoot, so I need the gunfighter to get around the eye piece. On my carbine with ACOG, I just run a plain jane charging handle and have no problems charging the rifle by any method that I choose.
Gordon
Member
+1 on the Medium Gunfighter (and their 'full auto bolt' too!)
twestbrook10
Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2009
- Messages
- 20
BCM is a great charging handle.
I like my PRI Gas Buster too but it is kind of pricey.
I like my PRI Gas Buster too but it is kind of pricey.
I was unhappy with the charging handle for 22 years. Especially compared to the FNFAL I wanted, or the HK91 I bought. I'm still unhappy with it.
This is what I'm doing about it building an AR: http://www.americanspiritarms.com/p...er_Upper_Receiver_without_Carrier-124-12.html
Adding all the tac latches and gunfighter handles just means you still break your sight picture charging the weapon. It's a finesse point for a hunter or range shooter, but if you can fix the problem on a custom AR to make it the way you want ( i.e., improve it,) then why not?
It's good to see all the new designs using side charging handles, in fact, it's become a standard in military weapons designs the last twenty years. The AR is great, but anybody who's added an ambidextrous control knows it can be made better.
This is what I'm doing about it building an AR: http://www.americanspiritarms.com/p...er_Upper_Receiver_without_Carrier-124-12.html
Adding all the tac latches and gunfighter handles just means you still break your sight picture charging the weapon. It's a finesse point for a hunter or range shooter, but if you can fix the problem on a custom AR to make it the way you want ( i.e., improve it,) then why not?
It's good to see all the new designs using side charging handles, in fact, it's become a standard in military weapons designs the last twenty years. The AR is great, but anybody who's added an ambidextrous control knows it can be made better.
Creature
Member
Another BCMGUNFIGHTER charging handle fan here. I went with the large latch (Mod 3) on my carbine. Liked it so much I ordered another for my 20" AR.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I've got the BCM Gunfighter and the PRI Gasbuster and I prefer the Gunfighter, even when using suppressors. Having said that, it all depends on what you need the charging handle to do for you.
ny32182
Member
I have some mil-specs, a couple Gasbusters, and an LMT handle with a slightly enlarged latch as seen here: http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1476 Likely similar to one of the "BCM Gunfighters" though I don't have any of those.
All things considered (function, price, ease of use) I would probably say the LMT is the best of those. Super-oversize latches worry me a little bit from a snag perspective; not terribly though. The milspec one is a little on the small side for my taste especially if there is a scope over it. My opinion is, go with the smallest latch you can easily manipulate.
The Gasbuster has has a nice easy to use latch and nice beefy T-handle portion, but I don't really think it is $40 better than other big-latch options. Especially since I can't really tell any difference in its "gas busting" abilities.
All things considered (function, price, ease of use) I would probably say the LMT is the best of those. Super-oversize latches worry me a little bit from a snag perspective; not terribly though. The milspec one is a little on the small side for my taste especially if there is a scope over it. My opinion is, go with the smallest latch you can easily manipulate.
The Gasbuster has has a nice easy to use latch and nice beefy T-handle portion, but I don't really think it is $40 better than other big-latch options. Especially since I can't really tell any difference in its "gas busting" abilities.
ny32182
Member
Overall I consider the CH to be the weak point of AR15 ergonomics... a big latch helps, but in my opinion it will always be much more PITA than any side mounted CH except the folded/way forward HK roller locked design.
Z-Michigan
Member
I too prefer the FAL design, but you have to go waaaaay out of the standard to get such a thing on an AR.
Re: the BCM Gunfighter, it is much, much more than just a bigger latch - it's a complete redesign that is much stronger. See here:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-4-p/bcm gfh mod 4 556.htm
You can even get it with a small latch that's barely bigger than a USGI standard latch if you want.
IMHO, the large latch is far too big, the medium latch is slightly too big, and the small latch is too small to get full benefit (I own all three sizes). I would recommend the medium latch for 90% or more of users. There is a bit of snagging issue, but the benefit in ease of charging generally outweighs this. If it were for hunting in mild weather (no gloves) I would probably get the small latch.
Re: the BCM Gunfighter, it is much, much more than just a bigger latch - it's a complete redesign that is much stronger. See here:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-4-p/bcm gfh mod 4 556.htm
You can even get it with a small latch that's barely bigger than a USGI standard latch if you want.
IMHO, the large latch is far too big, the medium latch is slightly too big, and the small latch is too small to get full benefit (I own all three sizes). I would recommend the medium latch for 90% or more of users. There is a bit of snagging issue, but the benefit in ease of charging generally outweighs this. If it were for hunting in mild weather (no gloves) I would probably get the small latch.
ny32182
Member
Based on their diagrams, I don't see much more than a change in direction of force on the roll pin in the "BCM Gunfighter".
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Except cheap ones are cast aluminum.
Good ones, like Colt for instance, are forged aluminum.
Other good strong ones are milled from aluminum billet.
rc
Or even steel ones, like this: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduc...s (Not Magazines)-_-PriceCompListing-_-152324
if you want the absolute strongest charging handle. Still would help to know what the OP is looking for.
TimM
Member
Thanks guys. I guess the gunfighter it is,
As for the question as why I don't like the current handle... The first jam I had the stupid thing bent like a wet noodle. A charging handle is not a charging handle... unless they are all a piece of crap like the stock DPMS one.
As for the question as why I don't like the current handle... The first jam I had the stupid thing bent like a wet noodle. A charging handle is not a charging handle... unless they are all a piece of crap like the stock DPMS one.
jerkface11
Member
How did it get bent?
rodensouth
Member
Does the Gas Buster or Gunfighter help with the gas in face with suppressor over a standard charging handle?
My nose is sensitive and 1 mag gives me a headache.
My nose is sensitive and 1 mag gives me a headache.
Shawn Dodson
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2002
- Messages
- 3,202
I assume you were operating it with your left hand like it wasn't designed to be operated?
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