Hey guys, I just bought a new Bushmaster and I was wondering if when I put in an empty magazine and pull the charger back is it normal for the handle to be pushed back into the receiver with no resistance? If I push the bolt release in the bolt and handle will slam home and lock up tight. It just seems like the handle is not connected to anything until you close the bolt(if that makes any sense). Please tell me if I have broken my rifle. Thanks, Shawn.
AR15 Charging Handle
- Thread starter sel366
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Bartholomew Roberts
Member
No, that is normal. Because the bolt locks back against the follower of an empty magazine, the charging handle is loose until you push it back into place or hit the bolt release (which drags it forward).
average_shooter
Member
Quite normal. The charging handle opperates against the gas key on top of the bolt carrier. So when the bolt is locked back the charging handle can move forward off the carrier key. I'd be more worried if it didn't do it.
AARRGGHH!!! Bart beat me to it by a second.
AARRGGHH!!! Bart beat me to it by a second.
DoubleTapDrew
Member
Thank goodness it operates like that too. If it were fixed, that charging handle popping you in the nose on every shot would make shooting ARs a lot less fun
That charging handle was not one of Gene Stoner's better ideas. While the object was to avoid a conventional bolt handle and the opening it would require in the receiver, the charging handle is weak and works in only one direction, a design flaw that necessitated the separate forward assist plunger.
As to its going forward by itself while the bolt remains to the rear, it could have been designed that way (like the Uzi) but wasn't. So the action described is normal.
Jim
As to its going forward by itself while the bolt remains to the rear, it could have been designed that way (like the Uzi) but wasn't. So the action described is normal.
Jim
Thanks for the replys, I thought I had broken something when I put a single point sling swivel on. I am a total newb with this AR thing. I did get a chance to fire off a mag full last week. This thing is a total blast. Thanks again for the quick info, much appreciated.
DMK
Member
The FAL uses a similar type of action with it's charging handle (Only useful to pull the bolt back), yet it doesn't require a forward assist.
DMK
Member
Yea, just in case you want to jam a bad cartridge in there real good.
I'll take a tap/rack/bang over a "smack the FA" any day.
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