AR Charging Handle

[rodensouth]

MrCleanOK, I googled and it seems you are making the gaskets yourself?

Can you elaborate please, I can't picture it in my mind.

 

[deputy tom]

I'd like to find a used one of those gasbuster handles in the for sale department.My perscription glasses don't offer much in the way of eye protection along these lines.tom.

 

[jerkface11]

I can't think of any way you could pull on a charging handle and get it to bend.

 

[AR27]

Bcm gunfighter!

 

[MrCleanOK]

Not my instructions, by very good.

http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/do-it-yourself-gas-buster-charging-handle

 

[rodensouth]

Thank you!

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I can't think of any way you could pull on a charging handle and get it to bend.

When improperly operated using the left hand ("pushing" it instead of "pulling" it straight back) the left hand exerts lateral force that also pushes the charging handle to the right, which can bend it.

When I operate the charging handle with my left hand I use a "can opener" -type grasp. I place my thumb on the rear center of the handle and "hook" my index finger to operate the latch. As I push or pull with my index finger my hand pivots so that my thumb presses against the rear center of the handle (can opener-like), which counteracts the lateral force and the changing handle is pulled straight back (instead of back and to the right). It may not be as "fast" as other left-handed techniques, but I believe it's a robust technique that can be performed quickly.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The first jam I had the stupid thing bent like a wet noodle. A charging handle is not a charging handle...

Probably an extruded charging handle made out of 6061 instead a forged 7075T6 charging handle which is what the military calls for. As this thread explains, not all charging handles are built the same. It is a popular place to save a few bucks.

Does the Gas Buster or Gunfighter help with the gas in face with suppressor over a standard charging handle?

It helps; but not dramatically since most of the gas in the face with a suppressor is coming through the ejection port anyway. However, the RTV sealant mod that Mr. Clean described is the best way to go.

I can't think of any way you could pull on a charging handle and get it to bend.

The two most common methods I see that end up in bent charging handles are trying to clear a stuck case using the "mortar" method and cheap extruded charging handles with extended latches on them. If you use the "face slapping" method of charging the weapon with the off hand, it can bend some of the cheaper charging handles, especially when you combine it with an extended latch that lets you get better leverage/apply more force. On the better built charging handles that still use the traditional design (milspec, Gasbuster) you rarely see them bend but after regular use like that, you can eventually shear the roll pin that holds the latch in.

 

[sig228]

Another DPMS wet noodle

Mine bent today also. New DPMS bull barrell 16" upper. Was working fine until I loaded up reloads from a local gun shop. Reload must have been out of spec, didn't seat right and when I released the bolt, the cheap charging handle (maybe not fully seated?) took the heat. Jammed up pretty well, needed a wooden dowel to knock it back open.

Put a quick end to the great day I was having at the range.

Now, I'm not an AR expert by any means, but that's my take on the problem. Anyone have other thoughts?

Will probably pick up one of those BCM Gunfighters everyone is speaking so highly of.

 

[Tirod]

Just to clarify the record, I gave it a lot more thought and just bought a GI upper. The $300 premium to left side charge a hunting/plinking rifle isn't cost effective. I bought a barrel with what I saved.

Since the bolt locks back on the last round, where does it come into play? I get the feeling it's a contrived competitive range thing. Issue rifles don't get them, and that's real combat. I haven't heard any negative feedback in 22 years of using it, and it seems to be a no show on the list of things wrong with weapons in country. Mags and ammo always top that.